Taft hopes to hurdle Lane
By Mike Garofola
Play in the Chicago Public League Premier North Division is in full swing, with Lane and Taft scheduled to meet division clubs only during the next two weeks.
The pair, just six miles apart, meet in a contest that can be considered something close to an EPL Derby at 7 p.m. Wednesday night.
This city rivalry match, will be played on the Eagles sparkling new multi-purpose turf field. It is Taft manager Jeff Lucco's new pride and joy, particularly after playing so many seasons on a field which had the look of spring roads around the Chicago area following a harsh winter.
"We never made excuses in the past about the field we played on, but I am happy our boys finally have a home to be proud of, because it's something they deserve," said Lucco.
Playing possession on its old grass field was difficult most of the time, and while Lucco prefers that style of game at Taft, he also knows other factors may change the Eagles approach.
"It's all based on the players you have," Lucco said. "(We) have guys that prefer playing direct and on the counter, so we struggle at finding a happy medium."
"Can we build out of the middle, then go direct? Can we build out of the back, find seams and gaps to exploit the flanks.
"Right now, those are the biggest questions we have, and hopefully we'll have the answers sooner than later."
Taft (2-5-1, 1-1-0) has had a busy early season schedule which included its 5-0 win over Sullivan on Monday. However Lucco felt his men were ready for the challenge.
"We had an outstanding preseason, which included a trip to Onekama, Mich., for some team building. And unlike years past, we haven't traveled much until this past weekend (at Loyola Academy), so it's just been short bus rides; so our legs are good."
Taft went 0-3-0 at the Morton (Ill.) tournament last weekend, but Lucco still liked what he saw from his lads.
"We played quality soccer, but didn't finish our chances," he said. "We lost our first two by one goal each, but I felt we had most of the play in both games."
The Eagles dominated possession playing its first games of the season on natural grass but conceded on the counter, which Lucco admits had more to do with work rate than anything else.
After his 2016 and 2017 clubs treated its fans to 26 victories and deep runs in the city playoffs, Lucco watched his 2018 squad fall flat at 6-15-1 (1-4-1 in division play).
"Those two teams were fantastic, but unfortunately, we graduated most of that 2017 team, and struggled filling the leadership void left behind," said Lucco.
"We were young but talented a year ago, but didn't have leaders. We still haven't found a true leader yet, so were having trouble closing out games."
Lucco says this is the most talent he's had since taking over the program, so he's not worried about early season results.
"It's nice to win, but I don't want to do it against weaker opponents just to boost our record, we want to be challenged each and every time we go out."
The Eagles manager has leaned on the quintet of Byron Abayay, Sergio Diaz, Jakub Lapinski, Chris Reynoso (four goals) and Brandon Tovar (three goals, four assists) and will continue to do so.
"Those (five) are solid guarantees to show up every game. They're the heart and soul, and we'll go as far they take us."
When Andrew Ricks' men arrive at Taft on Wednesday, they will bring a two-game win streak in Premier North play, as well as two-straight victories over the Eagles (2-1 last year, 2-0 in 2017).
Ricks directed Lane (3-1-1, 2-0-0) to division championships in 2016 and 2017 and the Premier North last year with a 6-0-0 mark.
"Our 2019 club is a work in progress," begins Ricks, who two years ago sent Simon Jillson to Chicago after the 6-foot-4 keeper helped Lane win the 2016 city championship.
"Our strength is our depth (Ricks rostered 25 this fall) and the versatility that our roster brings has several skilled and experienced players."
The Indians pushed its league record to 2-0-0 last Friday night with its 2-1 away victory at Young.
Ricks says it was an evenly played contest, and one in which Jacob Bozek earned team Man of the Match honors. The backline earned high praise also for its bend but not break defending.
The Indians scored a 1-0 home win over Lake Forest on Monday.
Ricks has done a remarkable job during his tenure. His last two seasons have been dazzling after graduating 31 players graduate from teams with back-to-back 13-6-2 records.
"On a funny note, I want the kids to graduate," began Ricks.
"(It's) the beauty of high school sports of trying to be successful year-in, and year-out.
"I like to think we create a competitive enviroment throughout the program (training, quality opponents) which has allowed us to reload each year in order to stay competitive."
"Andrew does a great job of putting kids in position to succeed," Lucco said. "And I believe they know how to win games.
"The juniors and seniors won city titles at both the frosh-soph and JV levels, they have a dynamic forward in David Arroyo, and Andrew is great at making in-game adjustments."
"For me, Lane is the gold standard."
While Ricks admits the nearly 4,100 students who attend Lane gives him an advantage, the commitment away from high school ball also fuels success.
"We have a roster of 25 players with club experience, who seem to get along and have skill," said Ricks. "Of those (25) players, only two are sophomores, and another seven are juniors.
"That said, we have several seniors who want to compete."
Here in the early stages, Ricks says the most pleasant surprises thus far is it could have won the game it drew (0-0) with Niles West, and played strong against rankedto Glenbard North in its season opener.
He's also pleased to have two keepers, Sam Price, and the aforementioned Bozek who can start.
"We're looking forward to playing on the new turf at Taft, and we fully expect to be in a very competitive game with them," Ricks said.
Players to watch
Lane
Jacob (GK) and Matthew Bozek (D), Grant Nagle (MF).
Ricks: "Those three have been our most consistent players because they have been healthy, and they solve problems play after play. And in Grant's situation, break down the defense of our opponents." Nagle had the game-winner in the 2-1 victory over Young.
Taft
Byron Abayay (MF), Anibal Hernandez (D), Tomek Mieczkowski (d)
Lucco: "These three have been our most consistent thus far. Anibal is playing with great confidence in the back, Tomek has been outstanding at right back and joins the attack really well, and Byron has been a force in the middle of the park."
By Mike Garofola
Play in the Chicago Public League Premier North Division is in full swing, with Lane and Taft scheduled to meet division clubs only during the next two weeks.
The pair, just six miles apart, meet in a contest that can be considered something close to an EPL Derby at 7 p.m. Wednesday night.
This city rivalry match, will be played on the Eagles sparkling new multi-purpose turf field. It is Taft manager Jeff Lucco's new pride and joy, particularly after playing so many seasons on a field which had the look of spring roads around the Chicago area following a harsh winter.
"We never made excuses in the past about the field we played on, but I am happy our boys finally have a home to be proud of, because it's something they deserve," said Lucco.
Playing possession on its old grass field was difficult most of the time, and while Lucco prefers that style of game at Taft, he also knows other factors may change the Eagles approach.
"It's all based on the players you have," Lucco said. "(We) have guys that prefer playing direct and on the counter, so we struggle at finding a happy medium."
"Can we build out of the middle, then go direct? Can we build out of the back, find seams and gaps to exploit the flanks.
"Right now, those are the biggest questions we have, and hopefully we'll have the answers sooner than later."
Taft (2-5-1, 1-1-0) has had a busy early season schedule which included its 5-0 win over Sullivan on Monday. However Lucco felt his men were ready for the challenge.
"We had an outstanding preseason, which included a trip to Onekama, Mich., for some team building. And unlike years past, we haven't traveled much until this past weekend (at Loyola Academy), so it's just been short bus rides; so our legs are good."
Taft went 0-3-0 at the Morton (Ill.) tournament last weekend, but Lucco still liked what he saw from his lads.
"We played quality soccer, but didn't finish our chances," he said. "We lost our first two by one goal each, but I felt we had most of the play in both games."
The Eagles dominated possession playing its first games of the season on natural grass but conceded on the counter, which Lucco admits had more to do with work rate than anything else.
After his 2016 and 2017 clubs treated its fans to 26 victories and deep runs in the city playoffs, Lucco watched his 2018 squad fall flat at 6-15-1 (1-4-1 in division play).
"Those two teams were fantastic, but unfortunately, we graduated most of that 2017 team, and struggled filling the leadership void left behind," said Lucco.
"We were young but talented a year ago, but didn't have leaders. We still haven't found a true leader yet, so were having trouble closing out games."
Lucco says this is the most talent he's had since taking over the program, so he's not worried about early season results.
"It's nice to win, but I don't want to do it against weaker opponents just to boost our record, we want to be challenged each and every time we go out."
The Eagles manager has leaned on the quintet of Byron Abayay, Sergio Diaz, Jakub Lapinski, Chris Reynoso (four goals) and Brandon Tovar (three goals, four assists) and will continue to do so.
"Those (five) are solid guarantees to show up every game. They're the heart and soul, and we'll go as far they take us."
When Andrew Ricks' men arrive at Taft on Wednesday, they will bring a two-game win streak in Premier North play, as well as two-straight victories over the Eagles (2-1 last year, 2-0 in 2017).
Ricks directed Lane (3-1-1, 2-0-0) to division championships in 2016 and 2017 and the Premier North last year with a 6-0-0 mark.
"Our 2019 club is a work in progress," begins Ricks, who two years ago sent Simon Jillson to Chicago after the 6-foot-4 keeper helped Lane win the 2016 city championship.
"Our strength is our depth (Ricks rostered 25 this fall) and the versatility that our roster brings has several skilled and experienced players."
The Indians pushed its league record to 2-0-0 last Friday night with its 2-1 away victory at Young.
Ricks says it was an evenly played contest, and one in which Jacob Bozek earned team Man of the Match honors. The backline earned high praise also for its bend but not break defending.
The Indians scored a 1-0 home win over Lake Forest on Monday.
Ricks has done a remarkable job during his tenure. His last two seasons have been dazzling after graduating 31 players graduate from teams with back-to-back 13-6-2 records.
"On a funny note, I want the kids to graduate," began Ricks.
"(It's) the beauty of high school sports of trying to be successful year-in, and year-out.
"I like to think we create a competitive enviroment throughout the program (training, quality opponents) which has allowed us to reload each year in order to stay competitive."
"Andrew does a great job of putting kids in position to succeed," Lucco said. "And I believe they know how to win games.
"The juniors and seniors won city titles at both the frosh-soph and JV levels, they have a dynamic forward in David Arroyo, and Andrew is great at making in-game adjustments."
"For me, Lane is the gold standard."
While Ricks admits the nearly 4,100 students who attend Lane gives him an advantage, the commitment away from high school ball also fuels success.
"We have a roster of 25 players with club experience, who seem to get along and have skill," said Ricks. "Of those (25) players, only two are sophomores, and another seven are juniors.
"That said, we have several seniors who want to compete."
Here in the early stages, Ricks says the most pleasant surprises thus far is it could have won the game it drew (0-0) with Niles West, and played strong against rankedto Glenbard North in its season opener.
He's also pleased to have two keepers, Sam Price, and the aforementioned Bozek who can start.
"We're looking forward to playing on the new turf at Taft, and we fully expect to be in a very competitive game with them," Ricks said.
Players to watch
Lane
Jacob (GK) and Matthew Bozek (D), Grant Nagle (MF).
Ricks: "Those three have been our most consistent players because they have been healthy, and they solve problems play after play. And in Grant's situation, break down the defense of our opponents." Nagle had the game-winner in the 2-1 victory over Young.
Taft
Byron Abayay (MF), Anibal Hernandez (D), Tomek Mieczkowski (d)
Lucco: "These three have been our most consistent thus far. Anibal is playing with great confidence in the back, Tomek has been outstanding at right back and joins the attack really well, and Byron has been a force in the middle of the park."