OPRF looks to continue league streak, Downers Grove North stands in the way
By Dave Owen
Losses to graduation after two-straight regional title seasons haven’t meant losses on the scoreboard for Oak Park and River Forest.
The Huskies roll into Tuesday’s 6 p.m. home match with Downers Grove North with an 8-1-1 record (2-0-0 in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division). They have allowed just three goals all season.
“We did lose some key players last year,” OPRF coach Jason Fried said, “but also have a ton of returning seniors with great experience.
“These players have great chemistry and really play well together. They have a very high ceiling.”
Fried particularly noted goalkeeper Sam Pecenka, defenders Jai Hsieh-Bailey and Zeke Rivera, forward Paul Garcia and midfielder Antony Silvetti-Schmitt as emerging players who have led the way to a strong start this fall for the Huskies, who are ranked eighth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25.
Downers Grove South (5-5-0, 1-1-0) are on their own major upswing, albeit since the early season. After starting the fall with three-straight losses, DGN has begun to find its footing.
“Our captains have really shown their worth this season,” Trojans coach Mike Schmitt said. “Peter Bednar, Alex Karrow, and Sam Bull have been solid leaders for us this year.
“We have had some inconsistency at times, and they’ve done a good job keeping the squad together and staying positive.”
Two other Trojans have made major contributions.
“Trygve Hansen has been a driving force of our offense,” Schmitt said, “and Gavin Crowson has been solid in goal.”
Now DGN gears up for a major road test on Tuesday.
“OPRF is a really strong team with a lot of talent,” Schmitt said. “We know they play a fast-paced, technical game and we have to be able to match their energy and intensity.
“We will look to play to our strengths and impose our game on them. We will have to be efficient with chances that we create and give a solid team performance on both sides of the ball.”
Like the Huskies, DGN won a regional championship in 2017 before narrowly being eliminated in the regional final last year (a double overtime loss to Lyons).
OPRF has defeated the Trojans by 2-1 scores each of the last two years, including in double overtime last fall.
Fried expects another battle.
“The key for us is staying with our style of play and being focused for 80 minutes,” Fried said. “If we can control the possession we should have a lot of success.
“But DGN is always well organized in the back and does a good job getting the ball in the box. Our defense will need to be very organized to limit opportunities for them.”
Tuesday’s match should epitomize the rugged battles in the WSC Silver, an always talent-rich conference made even deeper this year with the emergence of Glenbard West and OPRF’s early-season surge. The Huskies have shared the title the past two seasons: at 5-1 (no ties allowed in conference play) in 2017; and at 4-2 in a wild four-team tie with Lyons, York and Hinsdale Central last fall.
“Our conference has been really strong for a long time,” Schmitt said, “and it only gets better year after year.
“We approach those (WSC Silver) games in the same manner as if they were a playoff match. Each game is vital, and solid performances and results mean everything – especially given the fact they half of the Silver Division is in our sectional.”
While trying to keep his team on an even keel regardless of the foe, Fried recognizes the extra focus on Silver play.
“We actually approach all our games the same,” he said, “but obviously conference games always bring a higher level of intensity and focus for the players, since winning conference is really important to us and you have more of a history with those teams.
“DGN is in the same sectional as well, so that does bring another dynamic.
“As for preparing,” Fried added, “we are just always looking to get a little better each day so we are playing our best soccer when we get to the playoffs. We try to stay focused on the process.”
By Dave Owen
Losses to graduation after two-straight regional title seasons haven’t meant losses on the scoreboard for Oak Park and River Forest.
The Huskies roll into Tuesday’s 6 p.m. home match with Downers Grove North with an 8-1-1 record (2-0-0 in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division). They have allowed just three goals all season.
“We did lose some key players last year,” OPRF coach Jason Fried said, “but also have a ton of returning seniors with great experience.
“These players have great chemistry and really play well together. They have a very high ceiling.”
Fried particularly noted goalkeeper Sam Pecenka, defenders Jai Hsieh-Bailey and Zeke Rivera, forward Paul Garcia and midfielder Antony Silvetti-Schmitt as emerging players who have led the way to a strong start this fall for the Huskies, who are ranked eighth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25.
Downers Grove South (5-5-0, 1-1-0) are on their own major upswing, albeit since the early season. After starting the fall with three-straight losses, DGN has begun to find its footing.
“Our captains have really shown their worth this season,” Trojans coach Mike Schmitt said. “Peter Bednar, Alex Karrow, and Sam Bull have been solid leaders for us this year.
“We have had some inconsistency at times, and they’ve done a good job keeping the squad together and staying positive.”
Two other Trojans have made major contributions.
“Trygve Hansen has been a driving force of our offense,” Schmitt said, “and Gavin Crowson has been solid in goal.”
Now DGN gears up for a major road test on Tuesday.
“OPRF is a really strong team with a lot of talent,” Schmitt said. “We know they play a fast-paced, technical game and we have to be able to match their energy and intensity.
“We will look to play to our strengths and impose our game on them. We will have to be efficient with chances that we create and give a solid team performance on both sides of the ball.”
Like the Huskies, DGN won a regional championship in 2017 before narrowly being eliminated in the regional final last year (a double overtime loss to Lyons).
OPRF has defeated the Trojans by 2-1 scores each of the last two years, including in double overtime last fall.
Fried expects another battle.
“The key for us is staying with our style of play and being focused for 80 minutes,” Fried said. “If we can control the possession we should have a lot of success.
“But DGN is always well organized in the back and does a good job getting the ball in the box. Our defense will need to be very organized to limit opportunities for them.”
Tuesday’s match should epitomize the rugged battles in the WSC Silver, an always talent-rich conference made even deeper this year with the emergence of Glenbard West and OPRF’s early-season surge. The Huskies have shared the title the past two seasons: at 5-1 (no ties allowed in conference play) in 2017; and at 4-2 in a wild four-team tie with Lyons, York and Hinsdale Central last fall.
“Our conference has been really strong for a long time,” Schmitt said, “and it only gets better year after year.
“We approach those (WSC Silver) games in the same manner as if they were a playoff match. Each game is vital, and solid performances and results mean everything – especially given the fact they half of the Silver Division is in our sectional.”
While trying to keep his team on an even keel regardless of the foe, Fried recognizes the extra focus on Silver play.
“We actually approach all our games the same,” he said, “but obviously conference games always bring a higher level of intensity and focus for the players, since winning conference is really important to us and you have more of a history with those teams.
“DGN is in the same sectional as well, so that does bring another dynamic.
“As for preparing,” Fried added, “we are just always looking to get a little better each day so we are playing our best soccer when we get to the playoffs. We try to stay focused on the process.”