Glenbrook South wants
to 'flip' the script at Deerfield
By Bill McLean
In the early season, Glenbrook South (2-3-3) has averaged only one goal per 15 shots Titans coach Reggie Lara noted. South’s foes, meanwhile, find twine about once every three shots.
“We need those numbers to flip,” Lara said ahead of Tuesday’s 7 p.m. Central Suburban League cross-over at Deerfield.
Next season, this game will have conference connotations. All athletic teams at current Central Suburban League North Division school Deerfield migrate to the South Division where Glenbrook South resides.
“This will be a good test for us as we get ready to transition to the other side of the (league),” first-year Deerfield coach and Deerfield alumnus Ryan Crane said. “Glenbrook South traditionally has some very strong strikers, and Reggie always has his teams organized. I expect this to be a fast-paced and physical match.
“In order to beat Glenbrook South,” he continued, “we will need to be sound defensively and not give up unwarranted opportunities, as Glenbrook South will take advantage. We will have to be strong on set pieces both defensively and offensively, and not waste any chances.”
Deerfield (2-3-0) opened the Crane Era with a three-game losing streak but have reversed their fortunes with a 7-1 win over Antioch on Aug. 30. The Warriors then downed Grayslake North 4-2 on Sept. 3.
Senior forward Ryder Coleman paces the Warriors’ attack with five goals and three assists in five matches; sophomore forward Christian Castro, who began the season on an under-level squad, has netted three goals in as many varsity games; and sophomore goalkeeper Xander Yang (four games) averages 6.5 saves.
“Knowing Ryan Crane,” Lara said, “his players will probably come out with great energy and motivation to play hard. There also will be added motivation (because) several of my players,such as senior backs Jimmy Aglikin and Chris Sanchez, play club soccer with many of Deerfield’s players at Pegasus FC.
“I know those two players have had this game circled for quite a while.”
Glenbrook South posted a strong runnerup showing to Zion-Benton (ranked no. 21 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25) at the Lake Forest invitational August 27. The team tied for seventh on the home turf at the 36th-annual Jim Wolter Titan Invitational on Saturday.
The Titans struck for two goals in the final 15 minutes of their 2-2 tie versus St. Patrick’s Shamrocks in their final Wolter clash. The caffeine kicked in late after Saturday’s 8 a.m.start.
“(My) team is quick, skilled, and dangerous,” Lara said. “It’s fun to watch us play when we’re connecting passes and moving off the ball. We have a never-give-up attitude and have been resilient in the face of adversity.
“They want to win and play well for each other,” he added.
Deerfield wants to get healthy (a couple of Warriors are nursing injuries) and stay healthy, since its roster is on the light side numbers-wise.
“But everyone is stepping up and playing a vital role for our team,” Crane said. “Our juniors and sophomores are doing a great job supplementing the skills that the seniors bring to the roster.”
Lara had to grapple, again, with a depleted side Saturday. Glenbrook South — though its roster boasts 24 Titans — had only two healthy subs.
“We haven’t had a game with everyone healthy and available,” Lara said.
Footnotes
Lara has done the math after viewing game film, and here’s a promising figure for his 2-3-3 club: 60 percent. That’s Glenbrook South’s average possession in games. “In soccer,” the coach said, “that should often lead to success for teams. We need to be more efficient in our attacking and disciplined while defending.” … Deerfield gets another taste of CSL South fiber later this week when it hosts New Trier on Thursday at 7 p.m. The Trevians (4-1-1), ranked no. 6 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 poll, bowed 2-1 to new no. 1 Lyons (4-0-2) in the final of Saturday’s Northside College Showcase in Northfield.
to 'flip' the script at Deerfield
By Bill McLean
In the early season, Glenbrook South (2-3-3) has averaged only one goal per 15 shots Titans coach Reggie Lara noted. South’s foes, meanwhile, find twine about once every three shots.
“We need those numbers to flip,” Lara said ahead of Tuesday’s 7 p.m. Central Suburban League cross-over at Deerfield.
Next season, this game will have conference connotations. All athletic teams at current Central Suburban League North Division school Deerfield migrate to the South Division where Glenbrook South resides.
“This will be a good test for us as we get ready to transition to the other side of the (league),” first-year Deerfield coach and Deerfield alumnus Ryan Crane said. “Glenbrook South traditionally has some very strong strikers, and Reggie always has his teams organized. I expect this to be a fast-paced and physical match.
“In order to beat Glenbrook South,” he continued, “we will need to be sound defensively and not give up unwarranted opportunities, as Glenbrook South will take advantage. We will have to be strong on set pieces both defensively and offensively, and not waste any chances.”
Deerfield (2-3-0) opened the Crane Era with a three-game losing streak but have reversed their fortunes with a 7-1 win over Antioch on Aug. 30. The Warriors then downed Grayslake North 4-2 on Sept. 3.
Senior forward Ryder Coleman paces the Warriors’ attack with five goals and three assists in five matches; sophomore forward Christian Castro, who began the season on an under-level squad, has netted three goals in as many varsity games; and sophomore goalkeeper Xander Yang (four games) averages 6.5 saves.
“Knowing Ryan Crane,” Lara said, “his players will probably come out with great energy and motivation to play hard. There also will be added motivation (because) several of my players,such as senior backs Jimmy Aglikin and Chris Sanchez, play club soccer with many of Deerfield’s players at Pegasus FC.
“I know those two players have had this game circled for quite a while.”
Glenbrook South posted a strong runnerup showing to Zion-Benton (ranked no. 21 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25) at the Lake Forest invitational August 27. The team tied for seventh on the home turf at the 36th-annual Jim Wolter Titan Invitational on Saturday.
The Titans struck for two goals in the final 15 minutes of their 2-2 tie versus St. Patrick’s Shamrocks in their final Wolter clash. The caffeine kicked in late after Saturday’s 8 a.m.start.
“(My) team is quick, skilled, and dangerous,” Lara said. “It’s fun to watch us play when we’re connecting passes and moving off the ball. We have a never-give-up attitude and have been resilient in the face of adversity.
“They want to win and play well for each other,” he added.
Deerfield wants to get healthy (a couple of Warriors are nursing injuries) and stay healthy, since its roster is on the light side numbers-wise.
“But everyone is stepping up and playing a vital role for our team,” Crane said. “Our juniors and sophomores are doing a great job supplementing the skills that the seniors bring to the roster.”
Lara had to grapple, again, with a depleted side Saturday. Glenbrook South — though its roster boasts 24 Titans — had only two healthy subs.
“We haven’t had a game with everyone healthy and available,” Lara said.
Footnotes
Lara has done the math after viewing game film, and here’s a promising figure for his 2-3-3 club: 60 percent. That’s Glenbrook South’s average possession in games. “In soccer,” the coach said, “that should often lead to success for teams. We need to be more efficient in our attacking and disciplined while defending.” … Deerfield gets another taste of CSL South fiber later this week when it hosts New Trier on Thursday at 7 p.m. The Trevians (4-1-1), ranked no. 6 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 poll, bowed 2-1 to new no. 1 Lyons (4-0-2) in the final of Saturday’s Northside College Showcase in Northfield.