Glenbard West wary of Hinsdale Central
By Bobby Narang
Glenbard West soccer coach Adam Szyszko is not letting Hinsdale Central’s record affect his scouting. The longtime basketball coach will take nothing for granted heading into Tuesday’s West Suburban Conference Silver Division game at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Hinsdale.
The Hilltoppers (10-4-0, 3-0-x) have won two-straight games to carry some momentum into key conference clashes against Hinsdale Central (5-7-3, 1-2-x), Oak Park and River Forest (10-5-0, 3-1-x) on Thursday and Lyons (13-1-0, 3-0-x) on May 10.
“Hinsdale Central is a team that we will be prepared for because their record is deceiving,” he said. “Their losses are to top-quality teams, and they’ve had some good results. We won't go into the game underestimating them. Their coach does a terrific job, and it should be another exciting Silver game. Last year, we lost in PKs at our place, and the return leg was canceled because of COVID. So we're hoping to avenge that loss.
“We've had a good run up to this point, but we're going to be tested this week with Hinsdale Central and OPRF as well as next week with Lyons and Wheaton Warrenville South. We're definitely not cruising into the playoffs playing cupcakes. We'll definitely get challenged, possibly playing for a conference championship and some tough games down the stretch and that can only help prepare us for the state playoffs.”
Szyszko said he was impressed by the Red Devils’ play in a 1-0 defeat April 12 at Oak Park and River Forest.
“I had to double- and triple-check my app, just to make sure it was playing back at 1x speed,” he said. “It seemed like both teams played with the fast forward button pressed the whole time. Their defender (Sidney Turnbull) is a threat. She has a big leg and can start their counter with one touch.
“We have to play a clean game and not give cheap fouls, because she is a weapon on set pieces. She had an assist on a free kick last year against us that she took from Cook County, so we have to make sure our backline stays engaged when the ball is in our attacking third, so we don't get countered. Their forwards do a good job up-top and are very active off the ball. We’ll have to be sharp defensively.”
Szyszko said he’s been happy with the play of several players, noting the consistency of Emmie Roberts and Emma Kluge. Roberts, a Loyola recruit, has been a key cog in the offense all season, tallying five goals and 15 assists in 13 games. Sophia Brown has netted an assist in nine of Glenbard West’s last 10 games.
“Emmie Roberts has been outstanding for us, and she has played up front for us, in the midfield, and occasionally at her natural left back position,” he said. “Regardless of where we play her, she's played at a high level. The only thing left to do now is throw her in as a goalkeeper, which she's volunteered for on numerous occasions. She's scored in the run of play, off set pieces and assisted in every conceivable way.
“Sophia Brown has been an absolute terror in the penalty area creating and converting chances. After our first four games, I challenged our midfielders and forwards to raise their production goal-wise. Emmie and Sophia have really taken off and gone on a tear the last 10 games.
"Emma Kluge has been a rock for us all season in the backline. We have three seniors who log major minutes for us defensively, and Emma has been a dominant force for us centrally. She's been a force going into challenges and is really reading the game well right now. She is able to stymie opponent attacks before they get started.”
Hinsdale Central coach Anthony Madonia said his team has played a competitive schedule, but he’s ready for another challenge against the Hilltoppers. Hanna Florence enters the game with two goals in her last three games.
“It’s always a competitive match, and it’s fun coaching against Adam,” Madonia said. “He does a great job with his program. We can always expect a high-energy group from the Hilltoppers. It will be about game management: manage the highs, lows and inevitable chaos with confidence and stay true to our style of play. We have to defend well, and then take advantage of our opportunities.”
By Bobby Narang
Glenbard West soccer coach Adam Szyszko is not letting Hinsdale Central’s record affect his scouting. The longtime basketball coach will take nothing for granted heading into Tuesday’s West Suburban Conference Silver Division game at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Hinsdale.
The Hilltoppers (10-4-0, 3-0-x) have won two-straight games to carry some momentum into key conference clashes against Hinsdale Central (5-7-3, 1-2-x), Oak Park and River Forest (10-5-0, 3-1-x) on Thursday and Lyons (13-1-0, 3-0-x) on May 10.
“Hinsdale Central is a team that we will be prepared for because their record is deceiving,” he said. “Their losses are to top-quality teams, and they’ve had some good results. We won't go into the game underestimating them. Their coach does a terrific job, and it should be another exciting Silver game. Last year, we lost in PKs at our place, and the return leg was canceled because of COVID. So we're hoping to avenge that loss.
“We've had a good run up to this point, but we're going to be tested this week with Hinsdale Central and OPRF as well as next week with Lyons and Wheaton Warrenville South. We're definitely not cruising into the playoffs playing cupcakes. We'll definitely get challenged, possibly playing for a conference championship and some tough games down the stretch and that can only help prepare us for the state playoffs.”
Szyszko said he was impressed by the Red Devils’ play in a 1-0 defeat April 12 at Oak Park and River Forest.
“I had to double- and triple-check my app, just to make sure it was playing back at 1x speed,” he said. “It seemed like both teams played with the fast forward button pressed the whole time. Their defender (Sidney Turnbull) is a threat. She has a big leg and can start their counter with one touch.
“We have to play a clean game and not give cheap fouls, because she is a weapon on set pieces. She had an assist on a free kick last year against us that she took from Cook County, so we have to make sure our backline stays engaged when the ball is in our attacking third, so we don't get countered. Their forwards do a good job up-top and are very active off the ball. We’ll have to be sharp defensively.”
Szyszko said he’s been happy with the play of several players, noting the consistency of Emmie Roberts and Emma Kluge. Roberts, a Loyola recruit, has been a key cog in the offense all season, tallying five goals and 15 assists in 13 games. Sophia Brown has netted an assist in nine of Glenbard West’s last 10 games.
“Emmie Roberts has been outstanding for us, and she has played up front for us, in the midfield, and occasionally at her natural left back position,” he said. “Regardless of where we play her, she's played at a high level. The only thing left to do now is throw her in as a goalkeeper, which she's volunteered for on numerous occasions. She's scored in the run of play, off set pieces and assisted in every conceivable way.
“Sophia Brown has been an absolute terror in the penalty area creating and converting chances. After our first four games, I challenged our midfielders and forwards to raise their production goal-wise. Emmie and Sophia have really taken off and gone on a tear the last 10 games.
"Emma Kluge has been a rock for us all season in the backline. We have three seniors who log major minutes for us defensively, and Emma has been a dominant force for us centrally. She's been a force going into challenges and is really reading the game well right now. She is able to stymie opponent attacks before they get started.”
Hinsdale Central coach Anthony Madonia said his team has played a competitive schedule, but he’s ready for another challenge against the Hilltoppers. Hanna Florence enters the game with two goals in her last three games.
“It’s always a competitive match, and it’s fun coaching against Adam,” Madonia said. “He does a great job with his program. We can always expect a high-energy group from the Hilltoppers. It will be about game management: manage the highs, lows and inevitable chaos with confidence and stay true to our style of play. We have to defend well, and then take advantage of our opportunities.”