Downers Grove South looks
to continue run vs. Willowbrook
By Chris Walker
There may not be any guarantees in life, but when it comes to West Suburban Conference Silver Division soccer games between Downers Grove South and Willowbrook, it’s has come pretty close in favor of the Mustangs.
The visitors (5-7-0, 2-1) will look to win for the 10th time in 11 years against the Warriors when they travel to Willowbrook on Tuesday night.
The Warriors (4-8-1, 0-3) stunned Downers Grove South in 2017, winning a 4-3 thriller on its Senior Night, but that’s the only time the Warriors have beaten them since 2009.
“I really don’t know much about (Downers Grove South),” said Warriors first-year coach Dan Riskind. “It’s really been a learning experience with conference. With each team I’ve tried to talk to the coach and learn a little, do a bit of research.”
Jon Stapleton, the longtime coach at Downers Grove South, appreciates the Mustangs success head-to-head against the Warriors, but takes nothing for granted. He expects a hard-fought, competitive game.
“We’ve always had difficulty over there too,” Stapleton said. “Their kids always play incredibly hard against us and seem to mark the game on the schedule. And with it being conference, we’re not going to take anyone lightly. We can be confident, but we’re not good enough to be over confident and finding where that line is is not always easy for teenagers to do.”
Riskind said tough opponents have really opened the eyes of his kids and made it difficult to collect victories.
“We played West Chicago, Morton, exceptional, Addison Trail, really good,” he said. “We just lost on Saturday (1-0 to Glenbard South) and it really could’ve gone either way. It was nice not playing one of the best in the state. I feel like we’ve come a long way, we we’re controlling some of the run of play, which was good to see. It’s good to see good improvement.”
While acknowledging that the Warriors are counting on a lot of players to do different things for the sake of the team, Riskind praised the play of Dorian Mahone, Norman Deci, Brian Fuentes and Kevin Kapica. He continues to push his kids toward a team approach.
“We’re trying to put a process in place,” he said. “We’re getting guys to buy into this team idea and working for each other. They’ve done a really good job of, if we make a mistake, moving onto the next play and focusing on what we need to do to improve.”
Their opponent certainly has seen how a team can improve as the Mustangs have won four of their last five.
“We struggled at the early part of the year,” Stapleton said. “Part of that was inexperience, some of it was injuries and strength of schedule. I think we’re playing much better now. We’re getting healthy and hopefully turning the corner for the rest of the way.”
While it may have not come easily, the Mustangs didn’t give up, and having fought through some adversity are enjoying a good run.
“I think despite some of our struggles, our kids remained focused and hard-working,” Stapleton said. “I think they believe in what we’re getting them to do and the steps we need to take to improve. I think when you couple that with getting healthy a little bit, we’re starting to see some results and with tough contests on our schedule, I feel like they’re growing in confidence.”
Senior leadership has also been key.
“I think from our leadership standpoint, senior Ethan Kelly stands out,” Stapleton said. “And Peter Pierropoulos. He’s been hurt and is just coming back. His ability too, so those two guys lead in different ways and try to hold the group together.
“On the other side of the ball, Erick Gonzalez and Blazo Jovicevic. They’ve taken some of the pressure off. But it’s been a team effort. Each player has brought a different winning aspect that’s helped us turn the corner.”
to continue run vs. Willowbrook
By Chris Walker
There may not be any guarantees in life, but when it comes to West Suburban Conference Silver Division soccer games between Downers Grove South and Willowbrook, it’s has come pretty close in favor of the Mustangs.
The visitors (5-7-0, 2-1) will look to win for the 10th time in 11 years against the Warriors when they travel to Willowbrook on Tuesday night.
The Warriors (4-8-1, 0-3) stunned Downers Grove South in 2017, winning a 4-3 thriller on its Senior Night, but that’s the only time the Warriors have beaten them since 2009.
“I really don’t know much about (Downers Grove South),” said Warriors first-year coach Dan Riskind. “It’s really been a learning experience with conference. With each team I’ve tried to talk to the coach and learn a little, do a bit of research.”
Jon Stapleton, the longtime coach at Downers Grove South, appreciates the Mustangs success head-to-head against the Warriors, but takes nothing for granted. He expects a hard-fought, competitive game.
“We’ve always had difficulty over there too,” Stapleton said. “Their kids always play incredibly hard against us and seem to mark the game on the schedule. And with it being conference, we’re not going to take anyone lightly. We can be confident, but we’re not good enough to be over confident and finding where that line is is not always easy for teenagers to do.”
Riskind said tough opponents have really opened the eyes of his kids and made it difficult to collect victories.
“We played West Chicago, Morton, exceptional, Addison Trail, really good,” he said. “We just lost on Saturday (1-0 to Glenbard South) and it really could’ve gone either way. It was nice not playing one of the best in the state. I feel like we’ve come a long way, we we’re controlling some of the run of play, which was good to see. It’s good to see good improvement.”
While acknowledging that the Warriors are counting on a lot of players to do different things for the sake of the team, Riskind praised the play of Dorian Mahone, Norman Deci, Brian Fuentes and Kevin Kapica. He continues to push his kids toward a team approach.
“We’re trying to put a process in place,” he said. “We’re getting guys to buy into this team idea and working for each other. They’ve done a really good job of, if we make a mistake, moving onto the next play and focusing on what we need to do to improve.”
Their opponent certainly has seen how a team can improve as the Mustangs have won four of their last five.
“We struggled at the early part of the year,” Stapleton said. “Part of that was inexperience, some of it was injuries and strength of schedule. I think we’re playing much better now. We’re getting healthy and hopefully turning the corner for the rest of the way.”
While it may have not come easily, the Mustangs didn’t give up, and having fought through some adversity are enjoying a good run.
“I think despite some of our struggles, our kids remained focused and hard-working,” Stapleton said. “I think they believe in what we’re getting them to do and the steps we need to take to improve. I think when you couple that with getting healthy a little bit, we’re starting to see some results and with tough contests on our schedule, I feel like they’re growing in confidence.”
Senior leadership has also been key.
“I think from our leadership standpoint, senior Ethan Kelly stands out,” Stapleton said. “And Peter Pierropoulos. He’s been hurt and is just coming back. His ability too, so those two guys lead in different ways and try to hold the group together.
“On the other side of the ball, Erick Gonzalez and Blazo Jovicevic. They’ve taken some of the pressure off. But it’s been a team effort. Each player has brought a different winning aspect that’s helped us turn the corner.”