Young Sabres ready for Pepsi
Streamwood excited to face Hinsdale South on Saturday
By Chris Walker
Streamwood coach Matt Polovin hasn’t been able to find out too much about Hinsdale South, his team’s opponent during Saturday’s PepsiCo Showdown game at Olympic Park.
What he does know is his team, and he believes that they’re ready despite being in the midst of a five-game losing streak.
“I know the girls are excited about it because they know our boys have been in it the last 10 years,” Polovin said. “I think they’ve seen what those guys have done and the types of teams they played.
"So when Joe Trost invited our group to be in it, I said ‘Absolutely.’ The experience you get playing in the biggest high school tournament for girls against teams you’re not (regularly) scheduled against. And, it’s right next door at Olympic Park in Schaumburg, and with the college exposure, it’s a great opportunity.”
As for the current edition of Streamwood's opponents, Polovin doesn’t know what to expect. Hinsdale South finished fourth in the Class 2A state tournament last season.
“I tried to look up anything I could, but I couldn’t find too much,” he said. “I know they’ve only played a few times so I don’t know what to expect from them. The girls will have to be ready, and I think they are. They know the excitement the tournament brings and want to do their best.”
Senior Tawny Carroll continues to be the team’s most dangerous scoring threat.
“Tawny is doing all she can, and she’s had some shots,” Polovin said. “She’s one of the top forwards in the area, but it’s a learning lesson for her too because we are such a young group.”
The Sabres only have three seniors on the team so they’re relying on a lot of profuction from eight sophomores and three freshmen.
“We’re a work in progress, but they’re a fun group and they’re working hard,” Polovin said. “I think the three freshmen have really stepped up and have played just about every minute the first six games."
Kaila Ford has taken on an attacking role and should really be fun to watch as she gains more experience.
“Kaila has been really good as an attacking center mid who I sometimes put up top,” Polovin said. “She’s very composed with the ball.”
Alex Bonilla and Esmeralda Navarro have become fixtures on the backline.
“We usually like a flat back four, but since we’re so inexperienced I didn’t want to put them under more pressure so we go stopper, sweeper,” Polovin said. “Esmeralda has been our sweeper and is doing everything she can back there.”
Hinsdale South (1-2) was shutout twice, 4-0, by Andrew and Oswego East, but defeated Leyden, 4-0 on Tuesday. The Hornets were scheduled to play Lincoln-Way Central on Friday night in New Lenox.
The Sabres (1-5-1) have been outscored 22-3 during their losing streak, but their schedule has also been very difficult. They’ll see if they can return to their winning ways. That lone "W" came on March 17 against Dundee-Crown.
Saturday’s game is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Streamwood excited to face Hinsdale South on Saturday
By Chris Walker
Streamwood coach Matt Polovin hasn’t been able to find out too much about Hinsdale South, his team’s opponent during Saturday’s PepsiCo Showdown game at Olympic Park.
What he does know is his team, and he believes that they’re ready despite being in the midst of a five-game losing streak.
“I know the girls are excited about it because they know our boys have been in it the last 10 years,” Polovin said. “I think they’ve seen what those guys have done and the types of teams they played.
"So when Joe Trost invited our group to be in it, I said ‘Absolutely.’ The experience you get playing in the biggest high school tournament for girls against teams you’re not (regularly) scheduled against. And, it’s right next door at Olympic Park in Schaumburg, and with the college exposure, it’s a great opportunity.”
As for the current edition of Streamwood's opponents, Polovin doesn’t know what to expect. Hinsdale South finished fourth in the Class 2A state tournament last season.
“I tried to look up anything I could, but I couldn’t find too much,” he said. “I know they’ve only played a few times so I don’t know what to expect from them. The girls will have to be ready, and I think they are. They know the excitement the tournament brings and want to do their best.”
Senior Tawny Carroll continues to be the team’s most dangerous scoring threat.
“Tawny is doing all she can, and she’s had some shots,” Polovin said. “She’s one of the top forwards in the area, but it’s a learning lesson for her too because we are such a young group.”
The Sabres only have three seniors on the team so they’re relying on a lot of profuction from eight sophomores and three freshmen.
“We’re a work in progress, but they’re a fun group and they’re working hard,” Polovin said. “I think the three freshmen have really stepped up and have played just about every minute the first six games."
Kaila Ford has taken on an attacking role and should really be fun to watch as she gains more experience.
“Kaila has been really good as an attacking center mid who I sometimes put up top,” Polovin said. “She’s very composed with the ball.”
Alex Bonilla and Esmeralda Navarro have become fixtures on the backline.
“We usually like a flat back four, but since we’re so inexperienced I didn’t want to put them under more pressure so we go stopper, sweeper,” Polovin said. “Esmeralda has been our sweeper and is doing everything she can back there.”
Hinsdale South (1-2) was shutout twice, 4-0, by Andrew and Oswego East, but defeated Leyden, 4-0 on Tuesday. The Hornets were scheduled to play Lincoln-Way Central on Friday night in New Lenox.
The Sabres (1-5-1) have been outscored 22-3 during their losing streak, but their schedule has also been very difficult. They’ll see if they can return to their winning ways. That lone "W" came on March 17 against Dundee-Crown.
Saturday’s game is scheduled for 4 p.m.