Crystal Lake South aims for top, again
Gators get ready to begin quest for 2nd-consecutive AA crown
By Mike Garofola
There were many adjectives used to describe Crystal Lake South's incredible run to its first state championship in 2018.
But it would be hard to find one that mirrors the feelings coach Brian Allen had when the 2A state final came to an end.
The longtime manager, once a star keeper at Rolling Meadows High School and then DePaul University, looked to the skies, then fell to his knees before embracing his friend and assistant Tony Allen and joining his players in a celebration that seemed to last forever.
The moment will never fade in his memory Allen said. But once the 2019 season began, lifting that championship trophy seemed like ancient history with so many important players graduated and another group hopeful to make a similar mark on Gators soccer.
"The biggest challenge this season has been new players embracing new roles, reserves from last year taking on spots in our first 11, and/or players moving to new positions in order to make our team better," said Allen.
"You never replace varsity experience. When you look at some of the guys we lost: Ryan Coughlin, Brad Grabowski, Nick Langdon, Jack Wruck, among others who were all hard-playing guys with such high work rates; great leaders.
"So, we told each player to be themselves and do what they do best, (not) trying to be someone from our 2018 team (then) we would be destined to fail."
Allen asked his men to carve their own path, and he's been thrilled to see just how far their individual and unique paths have taken them.
The big question a championship club always faces is 'Can you do it again?'
There's always the unknown. Last season, the Gators benefitted from the amazing play of keeper Oscar Estrada, who went into the game cold for shootouts and lifted his mates onto his back during three incredible victories in kicks -- the last two coming in the state semifinal and championship.
This year's model of the Gators (14-4-4, 7-1-1) will not win a second-consecutive Fox Valley Conference title. That went to Jacobs when Allen's men dropped a 1-0 home overtime decision to their longtime rival late last week.
There are, however, a handful of striking similiarities to a year ago. That gives hope for another successful run to the final weekend of the season.
On the eve of its regional opener with Woodstock North the Gators season mark is only one off in wins (15-2-1) from its magical 2018 run. Both editions of the Gators entered the postseason with 7-1-2 records that closed out the regular season.
"It's a tribute to the guys buying into the mindset and making sure they are continually learning and growing as players and as a team," Allen said.
"It gets tough towards the end of any season, so it's nice to be able to show them tangible evidence -- such as the record over our last 10 games.
"(But) it's also those moments later in the year where players and teams are able to find that little bit more in themselves as individuals and as a group that I believe separates the good from the great."
Back to numbers, the Gators scored 53 times prior to the playoffs while conceding 15.
This year, they've bagged 60 and allowed 16.
The goals against is impressive in that Allen has had to rebuild nearly his entire backline after losing three-fourths of the group.
Evan Carlson is the lone returning man from the Gators back-four, and the terrific center back had this to say about the teammates he's in partnership with.
"The biggest challenge this year was just getting used to each other," said Carlson, who now has Tomasz Slawek as the Gators other center back and Danny Ciezadlo and Jacob Bimbi as his outside backs.
"We've moved people from winger (back) and pulled others up from JV, so it's a very different backline, but everybody has been great this year. So the adjustment from a year ago has not been very difficult."
Brian Allen heaped plenty of praise upon Tony Allen for his work in molding the Gators backline into one to be proud of.
"Tony has done a remarkable job with that group, especially with Evan missing the first three weeks of the season with an injury.
"They have really grown and continue to improve with each game. But we'll need to keep that approach of being better every time we play from here on out."
Allen likes what he's seen from his new man between the sticks, Carson Hill (8.5 shutouts, 0.98 goals against average) who has provided a calming presence at his position. The coach also gives props to the unheralded work of his holding-mids Tom Coughlin and Brandon Osterberg.
The forward trio of Sam Bahnfleth, Tyler Getzinger and Sabien Raymond have embraced their roles with energy and pace.
When you mention Gators soccer, it is impossible to miss the brilliant play 2018 Chicagoland All-Stater Alex Canfield. After netting 33 goals last year, he enters the postseason with 25.
"Despite being a marked man, Alex remains impressively consistent," Brian Allen said. "Even on an off day, he finds a way to make his teammates better and gives us a chance to win every time out."
Crystal Lake South will have a real dog fight on its hands for a chance to reach the Grayslake Central Supersectional on Nov. 5 to meet the winner of the Speer Sectional.
"It's another very balanced sectional on our side, and one that we'll need to come out and work hard for 80 minutes, while keeping our focus on the details in each game to be successful" said Allen.
"We're only thinking about Woodstock North on Tuesday, and starting the tournament off on the right foot."
"If we're fortunate to advance from that opener, then it will be Prairie Ridge or Woodstock in the regional final"
The Gators will look to claim their first regional title at home on their pitch affectionally called "The Swamp."
"All of the seniors this year learned a lot from an amazing group last year, who were the backbone of our state championship team," began Evan Carlson.
"Those who are back were able to mentor the new players in regard to the pressure with so many eyes on us as the returning state champs."
The Belvidere Sectional that the Gators have been sent to is one that will increase travel costs for every club on the guest list.
Here's a look at who Allen and his men will need to keep an eye on at both sectional venues
NIC-10 champion Boylan (11-5-4) is the favorite at its own regional.
Top-seed Lakes (10-6-1) is the one to beat at the Grayslake North regional, thanks in part to its longtime manager Kevin Kullby and his wonderful forward Evan Larsen.
"Evan for us has proven to be a handful because of his size (6-foot-3), strength in and around the box and his ability to the classic striker everyone wants," said Kullby of his 16-goal junior star.
"Going into the postseason, the defending state champs will likely get through and into sectionals, but as you know, luck can change from one game, one year to the next, so I am sure they'll be ready for just about everything."
Kullby said the Deerfield Regional is up-for-grabs between Carmel, Grayslake Central and Vernon Hills.
On the other side of this sectional stands three quality clubs from Chicago, who will keep their collective fingers crossed that the Chicago Teachers Union strike is settled.
Senn (11-4-5), Speer (17-4-2) and Steinmetz (11-3-3) are the nos. 1-3 seeds there. Each has impressive wins over larger schools. They hope their season does not end off the field due to the strike.
Notre Dame (10-7-3), like its ESCC counterparts, chased state powers Benet and St. Patrick all season long. The Dons ended the conference season in the middle of the table.
Mike Smith's club earned the no. 4 seed and is a regional host.
"Obviously, there's a great deal of uncertainty with our sectional regarding the CPS strike, but I can tell you my hope is there's a way to allow those teams and players to participate in the postseason," said Smith.
"None of us want to win and advance because of forfeits. They deserve to play and have the chance to compete like all of us."
Smith said each of the top three seeds have been impressive in their own right. And seed nos. 5-7, Northtown, Prosser and Lake View, can not be overlooked.
"We're all playing to keep their season alive," Smith said. "I know for us, we've been preparing all season for this time of the year."
Nicky Marchese leads the club with 15 goals, while teammate Jaime Gutierrez tops the assist list with 10.
Gators get ready to begin quest for 2nd-consecutive AA crown
By Mike Garofola
There were many adjectives used to describe Crystal Lake South's incredible run to its first state championship in 2018.
But it would be hard to find one that mirrors the feelings coach Brian Allen had when the 2A state final came to an end.
The longtime manager, once a star keeper at Rolling Meadows High School and then DePaul University, looked to the skies, then fell to his knees before embracing his friend and assistant Tony Allen and joining his players in a celebration that seemed to last forever.
The moment will never fade in his memory Allen said. But once the 2019 season began, lifting that championship trophy seemed like ancient history with so many important players graduated and another group hopeful to make a similar mark on Gators soccer.
"The biggest challenge this season has been new players embracing new roles, reserves from last year taking on spots in our first 11, and/or players moving to new positions in order to make our team better," said Allen.
"You never replace varsity experience. When you look at some of the guys we lost: Ryan Coughlin, Brad Grabowski, Nick Langdon, Jack Wruck, among others who were all hard-playing guys with such high work rates; great leaders.
"So, we told each player to be themselves and do what they do best, (not) trying to be someone from our 2018 team (then) we would be destined to fail."
Allen asked his men to carve their own path, and he's been thrilled to see just how far their individual and unique paths have taken them.
The big question a championship club always faces is 'Can you do it again?'
There's always the unknown. Last season, the Gators benefitted from the amazing play of keeper Oscar Estrada, who went into the game cold for shootouts and lifted his mates onto his back during three incredible victories in kicks -- the last two coming in the state semifinal and championship.
This year's model of the Gators (14-4-4, 7-1-1) will not win a second-consecutive Fox Valley Conference title. That went to Jacobs when Allen's men dropped a 1-0 home overtime decision to their longtime rival late last week.
There are, however, a handful of striking similiarities to a year ago. That gives hope for another successful run to the final weekend of the season.
On the eve of its regional opener with Woodstock North the Gators season mark is only one off in wins (15-2-1) from its magical 2018 run. Both editions of the Gators entered the postseason with 7-1-2 records that closed out the regular season.
"It's a tribute to the guys buying into the mindset and making sure they are continually learning and growing as players and as a team," Allen said.
"It gets tough towards the end of any season, so it's nice to be able to show them tangible evidence -- such as the record over our last 10 games.
"(But) it's also those moments later in the year where players and teams are able to find that little bit more in themselves as individuals and as a group that I believe separates the good from the great."
Back to numbers, the Gators scored 53 times prior to the playoffs while conceding 15.
This year, they've bagged 60 and allowed 16.
The goals against is impressive in that Allen has had to rebuild nearly his entire backline after losing three-fourths of the group.
Evan Carlson is the lone returning man from the Gators back-four, and the terrific center back had this to say about the teammates he's in partnership with.
"The biggest challenge this year was just getting used to each other," said Carlson, who now has Tomasz Slawek as the Gators other center back and Danny Ciezadlo and Jacob Bimbi as his outside backs.
"We've moved people from winger (back) and pulled others up from JV, so it's a very different backline, but everybody has been great this year. So the adjustment from a year ago has not been very difficult."
Brian Allen heaped plenty of praise upon Tony Allen for his work in molding the Gators backline into one to be proud of.
"Tony has done a remarkable job with that group, especially with Evan missing the first three weeks of the season with an injury.
"They have really grown and continue to improve with each game. But we'll need to keep that approach of being better every time we play from here on out."
Allen likes what he's seen from his new man between the sticks, Carson Hill (8.5 shutouts, 0.98 goals against average) who has provided a calming presence at his position. The coach also gives props to the unheralded work of his holding-mids Tom Coughlin and Brandon Osterberg.
The forward trio of Sam Bahnfleth, Tyler Getzinger and Sabien Raymond have embraced their roles with energy and pace.
When you mention Gators soccer, it is impossible to miss the brilliant play 2018 Chicagoland All-Stater Alex Canfield. After netting 33 goals last year, he enters the postseason with 25.
"Despite being a marked man, Alex remains impressively consistent," Brian Allen said. "Even on an off day, he finds a way to make his teammates better and gives us a chance to win every time out."
Crystal Lake South will have a real dog fight on its hands for a chance to reach the Grayslake Central Supersectional on Nov. 5 to meet the winner of the Speer Sectional.
"It's another very balanced sectional on our side, and one that we'll need to come out and work hard for 80 minutes, while keeping our focus on the details in each game to be successful" said Allen.
"We're only thinking about Woodstock North on Tuesday, and starting the tournament off on the right foot."
"If we're fortunate to advance from that opener, then it will be Prairie Ridge or Woodstock in the regional final"
The Gators will look to claim their first regional title at home on their pitch affectionally called "The Swamp."
"All of the seniors this year learned a lot from an amazing group last year, who were the backbone of our state championship team," began Evan Carlson.
"Those who are back were able to mentor the new players in regard to the pressure with so many eyes on us as the returning state champs."
The Belvidere Sectional that the Gators have been sent to is one that will increase travel costs for every club on the guest list.
Here's a look at who Allen and his men will need to keep an eye on at both sectional venues
NIC-10 champion Boylan (11-5-4) is the favorite at its own regional.
Top-seed Lakes (10-6-1) is the one to beat at the Grayslake North regional, thanks in part to its longtime manager Kevin Kullby and his wonderful forward Evan Larsen.
"Evan for us has proven to be a handful because of his size (6-foot-3), strength in and around the box and his ability to the classic striker everyone wants," said Kullby of his 16-goal junior star.
"Going into the postseason, the defending state champs will likely get through and into sectionals, but as you know, luck can change from one game, one year to the next, so I am sure they'll be ready for just about everything."
Kullby said the Deerfield Regional is up-for-grabs between Carmel, Grayslake Central and Vernon Hills.
On the other side of this sectional stands three quality clubs from Chicago, who will keep their collective fingers crossed that the Chicago Teachers Union strike is settled.
Senn (11-4-5), Speer (17-4-2) and Steinmetz (11-3-3) are the nos. 1-3 seeds there. Each has impressive wins over larger schools. They hope their season does not end off the field due to the strike.
Notre Dame (10-7-3), like its ESCC counterparts, chased state powers Benet and St. Patrick all season long. The Dons ended the conference season in the middle of the table.
Mike Smith's club earned the no. 4 seed and is a regional host.
"Obviously, there's a great deal of uncertainty with our sectional regarding the CPS strike, but I can tell you my hope is there's a way to allow those teams and players to participate in the postseason," said Smith.
"None of us want to win and advance because of forfeits. They deserve to play and have the chance to compete like all of us."
Smith said each of the top three seeds have been impressive in their own right. And seed nos. 5-7, Northtown, Prosser and Lake View, can not be overlooked.
"We're all playing to keep their season alive," Smith said. "I know for us, we've been preparing all season for this time of the year."
Nicky Marchese leads the club with 15 goals, while teammate Jaime Gutierrez tops the assist list with 10.