Downers Grove rivalry on display Thursday
By Matt Le Cren
If you judge Downers Grove South solely on its record, then the Mustangs figure to be decided underdogs Thursday night when they host Downers Grove North for the annual crosstown nonconference match.
After all, the Mustangs are 5-7-2, while the Trojans are 7-3-2.
But Downers South has played a much tougher schedule than the Trojans, with most of the losses coming to ranked squads.
“If you look at our losses -- Naperville North, Leyden and Morton have one loss, North Central (Indiana) has no losses, Hinsdale Central has two losses and Oak Park has two losses,” Downers South coach Jon Stapleton said after a 6-3 loss to Morton on Sept. 21. “I’d have to do the math but I’m guessing their records are a combined 35-7.
“I think we’ve played pretty tough competition and you hope you can continue to grow. Some of those defeats were pretty bad and tonight (against Morton) had the potential to go in that direction, so I was proud of my kids.”
The Mustangs trailed 4-0 at halftime against Morton, but rallied in the second half to make things interesting. But they regressed during a 4-0 loss Saturday to Fenton, seemingly cementing Downers North’s favorite status.
The Trojans have not beaten a ranked team either, but they have had better success than the Mustangs against common opponents. Both teams have lost to Leyden and Oak Park and beaten Hinsdale South.
Downers Grove North beat Fenton 3-2. Downers Grove South lost 4-0 to Hinsdale Central, which the Trojans beat 2-1 in overtime on Tuesday.
All of those facts and figures, though, will be put aside after the opening whistle.
“We’ll be ready,” Downers Grove South senior defender Adam Chaplin said. “We’ll be fired up to win at home, especially after last year with the tie. We want to win.”
The play of Chaplin and junior goalkeeper Parker Smith will be crucial to the Mustangs’ hopes. South’s backline has been under siege for most of the season, so the goals-against average doesn’t reflect their ability.
“Adam Chaplin as the center back has been solid for us all year,” Stapleton said. “Parker has been pretty good, and when James David (who is nursing an ankle injury) is healthy he makes a difference for us. And Erick Gonzalez is our leading scorer with six goals as a sophomore.”
Gonzalez and senior forward Hristijan Veceski, who converted a penalty kick against Morton, are South’s best scoring threats.
“I think it’s going to have to be Enrique and Christian who do (the scoring), because they’re usually our guys who can link up together and break through the lines,” Chaplin said. “Hopefully they can spark up against North and be able to score a goal or two.”
Yet neither is a true star striker, something the Mustangs lack.
“I don’t think we have that one player that is going to stand out,” Stapleton said. “It will have to be a collective effort.”
That will be true on the defensive side of the ball as well. The Mustangs know who they will turn their attention to.
“We’ve got to mark up on Jack Richards tight,” Chaplin said. "He’s their biggest threat so we’ve got to be tight on him.
“I know Tyler Cree (four goals on the season) is a good forward, so me and Peter (Pierropoulos) are going to have to be good in the backline in the middle to keep it a close game and hopefully get us a win.”
Richards, who will likely play in college but is undecided as to where, is clearly North’s top player. The team co-leader in goals with five is capable of scoring and setting up teammates.
Senior Tim Flavin is tied for the team lead in tallies.
“He’s one of those players who is not flashy but he’s always in the right spot at the right time,” Downers North coach Mike Schmitt said. “He has good foot skills and always knows what to do with the ball.”
Schmitt has also been impressed with the play of junior forward Nick Chapa (three goals), who has played well of late, and junior defenders Nick Eshghy, who anchors the backline at center back, and Kevin Danner.
While South might not have a lot of firepower, Schmitt knows it won’t be easy to beat his crosstown rival.
“It’s always tough to battle a Stapleton side,” Schmitt said. “They’re going to be extremely hardworking. We have to match their work rate.”
By Matt Le Cren
If you judge Downers Grove South solely on its record, then the Mustangs figure to be decided underdogs Thursday night when they host Downers Grove North for the annual crosstown nonconference match.
After all, the Mustangs are 5-7-2, while the Trojans are 7-3-2.
But Downers South has played a much tougher schedule than the Trojans, with most of the losses coming to ranked squads.
“If you look at our losses -- Naperville North, Leyden and Morton have one loss, North Central (Indiana) has no losses, Hinsdale Central has two losses and Oak Park has two losses,” Downers South coach Jon Stapleton said after a 6-3 loss to Morton on Sept. 21. “I’d have to do the math but I’m guessing their records are a combined 35-7.
“I think we’ve played pretty tough competition and you hope you can continue to grow. Some of those defeats were pretty bad and tonight (against Morton) had the potential to go in that direction, so I was proud of my kids.”
The Mustangs trailed 4-0 at halftime against Morton, but rallied in the second half to make things interesting. But they regressed during a 4-0 loss Saturday to Fenton, seemingly cementing Downers North’s favorite status.
The Trojans have not beaten a ranked team either, but they have had better success than the Mustangs against common opponents. Both teams have lost to Leyden and Oak Park and beaten Hinsdale South.
Downers Grove North beat Fenton 3-2. Downers Grove South lost 4-0 to Hinsdale Central, which the Trojans beat 2-1 in overtime on Tuesday.
All of those facts and figures, though, will be put aside after the opening whistle.
“We’ll be ready,” Downers Grove South senior defender Adam Chaplin said. “We’ll be fired up to win at home, especially after last year with the tie. We want to win.”
The play of Chaplin and junior goalkeeper Parker Smith will be crucial to the Mustangs’ hopes. South’s backline has been under siege for most of the season, so the goals-against average doesn’t reflect their ability.
“Adam Chaplin as the center back has been solid for us all year,” Stapleton said. “Parker has been pretty good, and when James David (who is nursing an ankle injury) is healthy he makes a difference for us. And Erick Gonzalez is our leading scorer with six goals as a sophomore.”
Gonzalez and senior forward Hristijan Veceski, who converted a penalty kick against Morton, are South’s best scoring threats.
“I think it’s going to have to be Enrique and Christian who do (the scoring), because they’re usually our guys who can link up together and break through the lines,” Chaplin said. “Hopefully they can spark up against North and be able to score a goal or two.”
Yet neither is a true star striker, something the Mustangs lack.
“I don’t think we have that one player that is going to stand out,” Stapleton said. “It will have to be a collective effort.”
That will be true on the defensive side of the ball as well. The Mustangs know who they will turn their attention to.
“We’ve got to mark up on Jack Richards tight,” Chaplin said. "He’s their biggest threat so we’ve got to be tight on him.
“I know Tyler Cree (four goals on the season) is a good forward, so me and Peter (Pierropoulos) are going to have to be good in the backline in the middle to keep it a close game and hopefully get us a win.”
Richards, who will likely play in college but is undecided as to where, is clearly North’s top player. The team co-leader in goals with five is capable of scoring and setting up teammates.
Senior Tim Flavin is tied for the team lead in tallies.
“He’s one of those players who is not flashy but he’s always in the right spot at the right time,” Downers North coach Mike Schmitt said. “He has good foot skills and always knows what to do with the ball.”
Schmitt has also been impressed with the play of junior forward Nick Chapa (three goals), who has played well of late, and junior defenders Nick Eshghy, who anchors the backline at center back, and Kevin Danner.
While South might not have a lot of firepower, Schmitt knows it won’t be easy to beat his crosstown rival.
“It’s always tough to battle a Stapleton side,” Schmitt said. “They’re going to be extremely hardworking. We have to match their work rate.”