Deerfield-GBN vie for league lead
By Patrick Z. McGavin
The fate of the Central Suburban League North Division is almost certain to be decided on Tuesday night in Glenbrook. A very hot Deerfield side looks to extend its strong play in a showdown with eighth-ranked Glenbrook North.
A young, skilled and hungry Deerfield team has found its stride at the right moment. The Warriors (5-6-0, 2-0-0) is coming off a standout three-game victory sweep of Highland Park and Maine East in league play and a convincing 2-0 victory over Stevenson on Saturday.
“I think the foundation of our team has actually been a part of who we are since we started the season,” Warriors’ coach Elliott Hurtig said. “We work hard in games, we have competitive practices and the guys like each other. It's true that our results have been better lately, but I knew that even though we struggled at the beginning of the year we would eventually find our rhythm.”
Senior midfielder Louis Solovy, the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the match in the 4-0 victory over Maine East, is the lynchpin of the Warriors’ attack. A skilled gymnast and gifted all-around athlete, Solovy brings versatility and a varied skill set. He is very poised and skilled with the ball, a facilitator in the open field. He is also an extreme technician, particularly on set pieces. The acrobatic Solovy is one of the few players to adapt the flip throw-in, a dangerous weapon in the team’s attack. Senior forward Corey Johnson is the Warriors’ most explosive talent, blessed with a powerful ability to shoot from distance.
Forwards Nikita Bankevich and Ryan David balance the attack. Jacob and Noah Braunstein help solidify the middle with Solovy.
The Warriors are 4-2-0 in their last six games, the only losses incurred against no. 4 New Trier and previously ranked Maine South. The back-to-back shutouts push the total to four on the year for elite junior keeper Ryan Grady, the team’s best player. The backline of Jeff Lehrman, Eric Kenney and center defenders Dylan Capp and Jack Hammontree has excelled.
“Dylan Capp and Jack Hammontree have really stepped it up for us, and Ryan Grady has some outstanding saves in key moments. Nikita and Corey have provided an effective scoring punch up-front,” Hurtig said.
The Warriors are going to need to fire on all cylinders to pose a consistent challenge to the Spartans (9-2-1, 2-0-0). Glenbrook North is riding a five-game winning streak. Those wins include an impressive 1-0 victory over no. 4 New Trier. Last weekend, the Spartans traveled to Appleton, Wisconsin, and shut out the state’s no. 5-ranked team, Appleton North, and followed that up with a convincing 5-1 victory over Arrowhead (Wisconsin).
“Glenbrook North is having an outstanding season,” Hurtig said. “They have speed all over the field and a lot of strong technical ability. They are a difficult team to defend because they counter so quickly. I know we are looking forward to the challenge.”
Glenbrook North has not missed a beat despite suffering some key injuries to its backline. The team’s offense is quick, explosive and skilled. The Spartan's have scored at least four games seven times, and have scored five or more goals in six games this year.
Coach Paul Vignocchi credits the play of senior midfielder Sahil Modi. He made his name and reputation last year in helping the Spartans win the Central Suburban League title and advance to a Class 3A sectional championship.
“I don’t know if my role has changed that much,” Modi said. “Now we have Robbie (Frazer) and Brandon (Mankoff) in the midfield, who have done a great job, I think, taking over for Timmy (Iscra), who was an all-stater last year. As an attacking midfielder, I am playing more on the attack. I am trying to be creative, playing balls out wide and just make a name for our midfield. I am just trying to make sure the midfield connects all together.”
Senior Deng Deng Kur, the only forward in the Spartans’ formation, has been virtually unstoppable. His combination of size, length, range and athleticism makes him dangerous from anywhere on the field. Players who had complimentary or reserve roles a year ago, like Mankoff and senior midfielder Matt Metzger, are now key contributors.
The emergence of junior Max Marquez, an explosive talent, has also diversified the Spartans’ attack.
“I always know where Deng, Max and Matt are going to be, so I can find them more and be able to run off plays,” Modi said.
The Spartans have not missed a beat. Even as Vignocchi has had to experiment with different combinations in the back, Glenbrook North has the versatility, depth and rotation to offset the short-term losses.
“They are getting better every game they play,” Vignocchi said.
By Patrick Z. McGavin
The fate of the Central Suburban League North Division is almost certain to be decided on Tuesday night in Glenbrook. A very hot Deerfield side looks to extend its strong play in a showdown with eighth-ranked Glenbrook North.
A young, skilled and hungry Deerfield team has found its stride at the right moment. The Warriors (5-6-0, 2-0-0) is coming off a standout three-game victory sweep of Highland Park and Maine East in league play and a convincing 2-0 victory over Stevenson on Saturday.
“I think the foundation of our team has actually been a part of who we are since we started the season,” Warriors’ coach Elliott Hurtig said. “We work hard in games, we have competitive practices and the guys like each other. It's true that our results have been better lately, but I knew that even though we struggled at the beginning of the year we would eventually find our rhythm.”
Senior midfielder Louis Solovy, the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the match in the 4-0 victory over Maine East, is the lynchpin of the Warriors’ attack. A skilled gymnast and gifted all-around athlete, Solovy brings versatility and a varied skill set. He is very poised and skilled with the ball, a facilitator in the open field. He is also an extreme technician, particularly on set pieces. The acrobatic Solovy is one of the few players to adapt the flip throw-in, a dangerous weapon in the team’s attack. Senior forward Corey Johnson is the Warriors’ most explosive talent, blessed with a powerful ability to shoot from distance.
Forwards Nikita Bankevich and Ryan David balance the attack. Jacob and Noah Braunstein help solidify the middle with Solovy.
The Warriors are 4-2-0 in their last six games, the only losses incurred against no. 4 New Trier and previously ranked Maine South. The back-to-back shutouts push the total to four on the year for elite junior keeper Ryan Grady, the team’s best player. The backline of Jeff Lehrman, Eric Kenney and center defenders Dylan Capp and Jack Hammontree has excelled.
“Dylan Capp and Jack Hammontree have really stepped it up for us, and Ryan Grady has some outstanding saves in key moments. Nikita and Corey have provided an effective scoring punch up-front,” Hurtig said.
The Warriors are going to need to fire on all cylinders to pose a consistent challenge to the Spartans (9-2-1, 2-0-0). Glenbrook North is riding a five-game winning streak. Those wins include an impressive 1-0 victory over no. 4 New Trier. Last weekend, the Spartans traveled to Appleton, Wisconsin, and shut out the state’s no. 5-ranked team, Appleton North, and followed that up with a convincing 5-1 victory over Arrowhead (Wisconsin).
“Glenbrook North is having an outstanding season,” Hurtig said. “They have speed all over the field and a lot of strong technical ability. They are a difficult team to defend because they counter so quickly. I know we are looking forward to the challenge.”
Glenbrook North has not missed a beat despite suffering some key injuries to its backline. The team’s offense is quick, explosive and skilled. The Spartan's have scored at least four games seven times, and have scored five or more goals in six games this year.
Coach Paul Vignocchi credits the play of senior midfielder Sahil Modi. He made his name and reputation last year in helping the Spartans win the Central Suburban League title and advance to a Class 3A sectional championship.
“I don’t know if my role has changed that much,” Modi said. “Now we have Robbie (Frazer) and Brandon (Mankoff) in the midfield, who have done a great job, I think, taking over for Timmy (Iscra), who was an all-stater last year. As an attacking midfielder, I am playing more on the attack. I am trying to be creative, playing balls out wide and just make a name for our midfield. I am just trying to make sure the midfield connects all together.”
Senior Deng Deng Kur, the only forward in the Spartans’ formation, has been virtually unstoppable. His combination of size, length, range and athleticism makes him dangerous from anywhere on the field. Players who had complimentary or reserve roles a year ago, like Mankoff and senior midfielder Matt Metzger, are now key contributors.
The emergence of junior Max Marquez, an explosive talent, has also diversified the Spartans’ attack.
“I always know where Deng, Max and Matt are going to be, so I can find them more and be able to run off plays,” Modi said.
The Spartans have not missed a beat. Even as Vignocchi has had to experiment with different combinations in the back, Glenbrook North has the versatility, depth and rotation to offset the short-term losses.
“They are getting better every game they play,” Vignocchi said.