Glenbrook N.,Deerfield fight to stay in race
By Patrick Z. McGavin
A moment of truth arrives for two teams seeking greater clarity when Glenbrook North travels to Deerfield for a big Central Suburban League North Division game Thursday night.
This is a crucial part of the year for teams, many of whom are fighting off fatigue and injuries, and looking to come together and show the kind of mark improvement coaches rigorously set in motion.
The Spartans have set the league standard the last two years with back-to-back division titles. Glenbrook North captured the conference championship game in a rout of Maine South two years ago. Last year they lost to New Trier in the conference title game.
Injuries and inexperience have created a ripple effect for the Spartans (4-5-2, 1-2-0). One month into the season, coach Paul Vignocchi is hoping the game with Deerfield marks a return to form.
“I feel like we have to get back to the basics,” Vignocchi said. “We have always been known for a strong defensive team. Teams may have been better than us, but they would have had a hard time beating us because we were strong defensively.
“We have to get back to that philosophy and get strong in the back.”
Glenbrook North allowed two goals against Maine West in the first 15 minutes in a 4-1 loss on Monday night. As Vignocchi acknowledged after that game, the short-handed
Spartans are not built to overcome early deficits.
The tools are there for a strong defensive effort. Ben Gordon and Patrick O’Brien are skilled center backs. In his first year playing keeper, Nick Washelesky has demonstrated good range and athleticism.
Glenbrook North suffered from a string of injuries at the start of the year that negatively impacted chemistry. As some players have returned, other key personnel are still recovering. Offensively, the Spartans have been a team in flux.
Senior midfielder Max Marquez, a dynamic and explosive talent in space, has been out since the Waukegan game in the first week of the season. His loss has been the most difficult for the Spartans to absorb. His playmaking and ability to generate pressure on the edge has been a missing component in the Glenbrook North attack.
“He played a significant role for us last year,” Vignocchi said. “He is expected back right before the playoffs. That will provide a huge boost for us.”
As Vignocchi has retooled his offense in the wake of heavy graduation losses the last two years, new players have emerged or shown considerable promise.
Getting his first significant time, junior midfielder Joey Martens has flashed tremendous potential. He combines excellent size with speed and quickness and an excellent first touch.
Junior midfielder George Luke, another talented player who suffered a slow start because of injury, is finding his stride. He scored the Spartans’ only goal against Maine West.
David Schueler, a 6-foot-5 midfielder, adds size and a compelling physical dimension.
“We have been encouraged by our offensive play,” Vignocchi said. “Joey Martens has been a handful for most teams. George Luke is really starting to come into form. As a team we are creating opportunities, but the consistent finishing is a work in progress.”
Deerfield is better than its record. The Warriors (3-6-1, 1-1-1) beat Maine East 2-1 Monday night for their first conference victory. Nicholas Compisi staked the Warriors to a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute. Midfielder Jude Tatham converted a penalty kick early in the second half.
The game reiterated several key points coach Elliott Hurtig has made recently. The Warriors have done an admirable job of late playing possessive soccer and creating
strong scoring chances. The middle attack of Ari Wainer, Nicholas Prus and Nikita Bankevich has been especially impressive.
Wainer also has the capability of playing up-top. He is dynamite in space and has a great first touch. Prus and Bankevich have also excelled lately in creating more consistent and dangerous scoring chances.
“I think recently we have moved the ball really well and got into our shape,” Hurtig said. “Against Highland Park (on September 13), we were getting a lot of turnovers and then we were dangerous on the counter. We have been able to take advantage of some runs by our forwards and get some crosses.”
The defense has been solid with sophomore standout Ko Vandeneijkhoff and junior Jack Hammontree. The big news has been the return of star keeper Ryan Grady. He
missed the first three and a half weeks of the season after recovering from a broken bone under his right thumb. He performed with a cast on and played forward, where he scored one goal.
The senior is back in his natural element, patrolling the box for the Warriors. He played his first game there last Thursday against Highland Park.
He is getting his rhythm and timing back.
“It was definitely fun,” Grady said. “I did not play how I wanted to play, but it was my first game as a goalkeeper in two months and the first time I trained in probably six or seven weeks.
“As the keeper you are the anchor of the team. You are the quarterback essentially. The keeper has to have a high soccer IQ. You need to be able to read the game before it happens and make quick decisions.”
By Patrick Z. McGavin
A moment of truth arrives for two teams seeking greater clarity when Glenbrook North travels to Deerfield for a big Central Suburban League North Division game Thursday night.
This is a crucial part of the year for teams, many of whom are fighting off fatigue and injuries, and looking to come together and show the kind of mark improvement coaches rigorously set in motion.
The Spartans have set the league standard the last two years with back-to-back division titles. Glenbrook North captured the conference championship game in a rout of Maine South two years ago. Last year they lost to New Trier in the conference title game.
Injuries and inexperience have created a ripple effect for the Spartans (4-5-2, 1-2-0). One month into the season, coach Paul Vignocchi is hoping the game with Deerfield marks a return to form.
“I feel like we have to get back to the basics,” Vignocchi said. “We have always been known for a strong defensive team. Teams may have been better than us, but they would have had a hard time beating us because we were strong defensively.
“We have to get back to that philosophy and get strong in the back.”
Glenbrook North allowed two goals against Maine West in the first 15 minutes in a 4-1 loss on Monday night. As Vignocchi acknowledged after that game, the short-handed
Spartans are not built to overcome early deficits.
The tools are there for a strong defensive effort. Ben Gordon and Patrick O’Brien are skilled center backs. In his first year playing keeper, Nick Washelesky has demonstrated good range and athleticism.
Glenbrook North suffered from a string of injuries at the start of the year that negatively impacted chemistry. As some players have returned, other key personnel are still recovering. Offensively, the Spartans have been a team in flux.
Senior midfielder Max Marquez, a dynamic and explosive talent in space, has been out since the Waukegan game in the first week of the season. His loss has been the most difficult for the Spartans to absorb. His playmaking and ability to generate pressure on the edge has been a missing component in the Glenbrook North attack.
“He played a significant role for us last year,” Vignocchi said. “He is expected back right before the playoffs. That will provide a huge boost for us.”
As Vignocchi has retooled his offense in the wake of heavy graduation losses the last two years, new players have emerged or shown considerable promise.
Getting his first significant time, junior midfielder Joey Martens has flashed tremendous potential. He combines excellent size with speed and quickness and an excellent first touch.
Junior midfielder George Luke, another talented player who suffered a slow start because of injury, is finding his stride. He scored the Spartans’ only goal against Maine West.
David Schueler, a 6-foot-5 midfielder, adds size and a compelling physical dimension.
“We have been encouraged by our offensive play,” Vignocchi said. “Joey Martens has been a handful for most teams. George Luke is really starting to come into form. As a team we are creating opportunities, but the consistent finishing is a work in progress.”
Deerfield is better than its record. The Warriors (3-6-1, 1-1-1) beat Maine East 2-1 Monday night for their first conference victory. Nicholas Compisi staked the Warriors to a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute. Midfielder Jude Tatham converted a penalty kick early in the second half.
The game reiterated several key points coach Elliott Hurtig has made recently. The Warriors have done an admirable job of late playing possessive soccer and creating
strong scoring chances. The middle attack of Ari Wainer, Nicholas Prus and Nikita Bankevich has been especially impressive.
Wainer also has the capability of playing up-top. He is dynamite in space and has a great first touch. Prus and Bankevich have also excelled lately in creating more consistent and dangerous scoring chances.
“I think recently we have moved the ball really well and got into our shape,” Hurtig said. “Against Highland Park (on September 13), we were getting a lot of turnovers and then we were dangerous on the counter. We have been able to take advantage of some runs by our forwards and get some crosses.”
The defense has been solid with sophomore standout Ko Vandeneijkhoff and junior Jack Hammontree. The big news has been the return of star keeper Ryan Grady. He
missed the first three and a half weeks of the season after recovering from a broken bone under his right thumb. He performed with a cast on and played forward, where he scored one goal.
The senior is back in his natural element, patrolling the box for the Warriors. He played his first game there last Thursday against Highland Park.
He is getting his rhythm and timing back.
“It was definitely fun,” Grady said. “I did not play how I wanted to play, but it was my first game as a goalkeeper in two months and the first time I trained in probably six or seven weeks.
“As the keeper you are the anchor of the team. You are the quarterback essentially. The keeper has to have a high soccer IQ. You need to be able to read the game before it happens and make quick decisions.”