Deerfield has extra incentive against Lakes
By Mike Garofola
After seeing its attempt at a repeat Central Suburban League North Division title fall short, Deerfield will now look to put together quality in its remaining games in the regular season starting tonight when Lakes Community arrives to play a 7 p.m. nonconference contest at Adams Field.
The Warriors (6-5-2, 2-2-1) ended league play with a six-goal explosion in a shutout victory over Highland Park. They followed that with a 0-0 draw in a friendly with Latin, thanks to help from a stingy backline who aided keeper Ryan Toback, the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match.
"Over the last 4-5 games, we have played well at times, but have struggled mostly in our first half play," said Warriors manager Elliott Hurtig, who was teammates with Lakes manager Kevin Kullby at the University of Wisconsin. The pair have remained friends ever since.
Hurtig praised his trio of Justin Blumenthal, James Weiner and Noah Weil for their work against Latin last Thursday.
Lakes (5-9-0, 3-3-0) has won the last four games in its rivalry against the Warriors. The last Deerfield win came in 2015.
After the 2020 fall season was cancelled due to the pandemic, the two sides did not play in the shortened substitute season last spring when most leagues allowed only conference play.
Deerfield wants to break its losing streak against Lakes.
"We need our focus during the start of the game and to set the tone for the game, instead of waiting for the second half to begin," said Hurtig, who joined Kullby in Madison, Wis., last weekend for an alumni event that honored former Badgers soccer players during the Wisconsin-Michigan football on Saturday afternoon.
"We were up 1-0 at the half against Highland Park, then put five (in) after the break, then played a very strong team from Latin. While we didn't play great soccer, the boys fought hard, and stayed together to earn the 0-0 draw."
While the Warriors have not proven to be an offensive juggernaut, the club has shown the ability to consistently defend – it has conceded just 12 goals during its 13 games.
"Except for a few games, we've defended really well as a team," offered junior Ryder Coleman. A forward by trade, he has been deployed mostly at the six for Hurtig this season.
"Ryan (Torback) has been solid for us (he) plays smart, doesn't make mistakes or let in soft goals and that's a big plus for the team."
"(Coleman) and Toback have been playing real well during our recent stretch of games," added Hurtig.
Defending is where Lakes have had its troubles for most of the year according to Kullby, now in his 17th season as manager.
"We're struggling right now, struggling to score, and as of late keeping our opponents from scoring," he said.
Lakes defeated Lake Forest 3-2 last Saturday to end a four-game slide in which the Eagles conceded 16 goals while bagging just five for themselves.
"Despite being outplayed in long stretches of those last five games, we've had some very good chances against the run of play to make a game of it, but at that point, the game was already decided," said Kullby.
Lakes received the no. 12 seed in the Vernon Hills Sectional. Kullby lists seniors Matt Runyard (MF), Billy Block (MF) and defender Kevin Klimas as his most consistent players this season.
Coleman likes what he's seen in Deerfield’s latest games.
"We've gone out and connected more with our passing game,” he said. “We've attacked better, and there hasn't been any panic in our game. I really feel like we're ready to go after these last four games of the season, finish strong, and be a team that can be dangerous in the postseason."
Hurtig seconds that notion.
"The real strength of our team is the commitment, and fight that we bring to every game," Hurtig said.
"To be honest, there is only one game this season where I felt we were not fighting for every play, and that was in our 3-0 loss at Maine West a couple of weeks ago.
"Other than that, we have been incredibly consistent in our desire to win games, and leave it out on the pitch."
After tonight, the Warriors will finish the regular season with Central Suburban League South Division champion New Trier, Grayslake North, and Chicago Public League Premier Division North champion Payton.
By Mike Garofola
After seeing its attempt at a repeat Central Suburban League North Division title fall short, Deerfield will now look to put together quality in its remaining games in the regular season starting tonight when Lakes Community arrives to play a 7 p.m. nonconference contest at Adams Field.
The Warriors (6-5-2, 2-2-1) ended league play with a six-goal explosion in a shutout victory over Highland Park. They followed that with a 0-0 draw in a friendly with Latin, thanks to help from a stingy backline who aided keeper Ryan Toback, the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match.
"Over the last 4-5 games, we have played well at times, but have struggled mostly in our first half play," said Warriors manager Elliott Hurtig, who was teammates with Lakes manager Kevin Kullby at the University of Wisconsin. The pair have remained friends ever since.
Hurtig praised his trio of Justin Blumenthal, James Weiner and Noah Weil for their work against Latin last Thursday.
Lakes (5-9-0, 3-3-0) has won the last four games in its rivalry against the Warriors. The last Deerfield win came in 2015.
After the 2020 fall season was cancelled due to the pandemic, the two sides did not play in the shortened substitute season last spring when most leagues allowed only conference play.
Deerfield wants to break its losing streak against Lakes.
"We need our focus during the start of the game and to set the tone for the game, instead of waiting for the second half to begin," said Hurtig, who joined Kullby in Madison, Wis., last weekend for an alumni event that honored former Badgers soccer players during the Wisconsin-Michigan football on Saturday afternoon.
"We were up 1-0 at the half against Highland Park, then put five (in) after the break, then played a very strong team from Latin. While we didn't play great soccer, the boys fought hard, and stayed together to earn the 0-0 draw."
While the Warriors have not proven to be an offensive juggernaut, the club has shown the ability to consistently defend – it has conceded just 12 goals during its 13 games.
"Except for a few games, we've defended really well as a team," offered junior Ryder Coleman. A forward by trade, he has been deployed mostly at the six for Hurtig this season.
"Ryan (Torback) has been solid for us (he) plays smart, doesn't make mistakes or let in soft goals and that's a big plus for the team."
"(Coleman) and Toback have been playing real well during our recent stretch of games," added Hurtig.
Defending is where Lakes have had its troubles for most of the year according to Kullby, now in his 17th season as manager.
"We're struggling right now, struggling to score, and as of late keeping our opponents from scoring," he said.
Lakes defeated Lake Forest 3-2 last Saturday to end a four-game slide in which the Eagles conceded 16 goals while bagging just five for themselves.
"Despite being outplayed in long stretches of those last five games, we've had some very good chances against the run of play to make a game of it, but at that point, the game was already decided," said Kullby.
Lakes received the no. 12 seed in the Vernon Hills Sectional. Kullby lists seniors Matt Runyard (MF), Billy Block (MF) and defender Kevin Klimas as his most consistent players this season.
Coleman likes what he's seen in Deerfield’s latest games.
"We've gone out and connected more with our passing game,” he said. “We've attacked better, and there hasn't been any panic in our game. I really feel like we're ready to go after these last four games of the season, finish strong, and be a team that can be dangerous in the postseason."
Hurtig seconds that notion.
"The real strength of our team is the commitment, and fight that we bring to every game," Hurtig said.
"To be honest, there is only one game this season where I felt we were not fighting for every play, and that was in our 3-0 loss at Maine West a couple of weeks ago.
"Other than that, we have been incredibly consistent in our desire to win games, and leave it out on the pitch."
After tonight, the Warriors will finish the regular season with Central Suburban League South Division champion New Trier, Grayslake North, and Chicago Public League Premier Division North champion Payton.