Loyola hits road
for key league test at Marmion
By Dave Owen
Loyola and Marmion are both hitting their stride as the Chicago Catholic League Blue Division wraps up September play.
Thursday the division foes, 45 miles apart but in closer proximity in the standings, meet at 4:45 p.m. in Aurora.
Loyola (4-5-4, 2-0-1) comes off a 1-1 tie with Mount Carmel, but preceded that with impressive wins of 3-0 over Brother Rice and 3-1 over Fenwick in the past week.
“We go into this (game) with a little bit of momentum,” Loyola coach Dan Riskind said of the 2-0-1 streak. “I feel like we've been playing well. We've started putting some balls in the back of the net, so we're looking forward to tomorrow night definitely.”
Marmion (5-5-5, 2-1-2) has also dramatically picked up its play of late. After going 1-3-0 to start the season and allowing 17 goals in the first four games, the Cadets have allowed just 14 goals in the 11 games since.
“We were short-handed the first four games and had limited depth,” Marmion coach Gerardo Alvarez said. “We are getting close to full strength and have also had some role players come along, providing depth.”
One player has been central to the Cadets’ hopes all season.
“Barry O'Neill carried us early on,” Alvarez said, “but now he has plenty of company. Our backline has come along, and we have multiple attacking threats that can put the ball in the net.”
Loyola has clawed back from its own 1-3-2 start. Their losses this season include 2-1 setbacks to elite foes York (the defending 3A state champion) and New Trier.
“Our schedule at the beginning of the year was loaded with good talent,” Riskind said. “We feel like we can compete with anyone based on who we've played.
“We have a good core (of players). Joey Vehovsky, Guillermo Echaverria-Robinson and Olivier Szorc have been kind of our key three seniors.”
Loyola has specialized in low-scoring battles, with a trio of 0-0 draws this fall. The Ramblers’ composite score over 13 games further reflects that defensive-minded bent: 17 goals scored, and 12 allowed.
“For us it's always about possession,” Riskind said. “You want to keep the ball as much as possible. It's what we practice a lot, keeping possession in the attacking third and creating dangerous chances. That's what has been our focus.
“Actually what is contributing to that (season of low-scoring games) is that we do possess the ball a lot, so it gives limited chances to the other team. As the cliche goes, the best defense is a good offense and vice versa.”
Marmion played Brother Rice to a 1-1 tie on Tuesday, three days after Loyola defeated Rice 3-0.
Like Loyola, the Cadets are also 2-0-1 in their last three games. This month, Marmion also has a 2-0 win over Fenwick and impressive ties with seventh-ranked Naperville North and defending Class A state champ Wheaton Academy among its noteworthy results.
Now Loyola makes the trip to Aurora for an opportunity for either team to make major inroads toward a Blue Division title.
“We need to dictate our pace and style of play,” Alvarez said. “Create opportunities from possession and finish our chances. Now it's just about execution.”
Loyola is hoping a little more offensive punch can help produce a key road win.
“I feel like if we increase our scoring just a little bit we'd be better off in the standings in state,” Riskind said, “so that's kind of been our emphasis.
“It's a good group of kids. They're very talented. They work hard. Overall it's been a successful season.”
for key league test at Marmion
By Dave Owen
Loyola and Marmion are both hitting their stride as the Chicago Catholic League Blue Division wraps up September play.
Thursday the division foes, 45 miles apart but in closer proximity in the standings, meet at 4:45 p.m. in Aurora.
Loyola (4-5-4, 2-0-1) comes off a 1-1 tie with Mount Carmel, but preceded that with impressive wins of 3-0 over Brother Rice and 3-1 over Fenwick in the past week.
“We go into this (game) with a little bit of momentum,” Loyola coach Dan Riskind said of the 2-0-1 streak. “I feel like we've been playing well. We've started putting some balls in the back of the net, so we're looking forward to tomorrow night definitely.”
Marmion (5-5-5, 2-1-2) has also dramatically picked up its play of late. After going 1-3-0 to start the season and allowing 17 goals in the first four games, the Cadets have allowed just 14 goals in the 11 games since.
“We were short-handed the first four games and had limited depth,” Marmion coach Gerardo Alvarez said. “We are getting close to full strength and have also had some role players come along, providing depth.”
One player has been central to the Cadets’ hopes all season.
“Barry O'Neill carried us early on,” Alvarez said, “but now he has plenty of company. Our backline has come along, and we have multiple attacking threats that can put the ball in the net.”
Loyola has clawed back from its own 1-3-2 start. Their losses this season include 2-1 setbacks to elite foes York (the defending 3A state champion) and New Trier.
“Our schedule at the beginning of the year was loaded with good talent,” Riskind said. “We feel like we can compete with anyone based on who we've played.
“We have a good core (of players). Joey Vehovsky, Guillermo Echaverria-Robinson and Olivier Szorc have been kind of our key three seniors.”
Loyola has specialized in low-scoring battles, with a trio of 0-0 draws this fall. The Ramblers’ composite score over 13 games further reflects that defensive-minded bent: 17 goals scored, and 12 allowed.
“For us it's always about possession,” Riskind said. “You want to keep the ball as much as possible. It's what we practice a lot, keeping possession in the attacking third and creating dangerous chances. That's what has been our focus.
“Actually what is contributing to that (season of low-scoring games) is that we do possess the ball a lot, so it gives limited chances to the other team. As the cliche goes, the best defense is a good offense and vice versa.”
Marmion played Brother Rice to a 1-1 tie on Tuesday, three days after Loyola defeated Rice 3-0.
Like Loyola, the Cadets are also 2-0-1 in their last three games. This month, Marmion also has a 2-0 win over Fenwick and impressive ties with seventh-ranked Naperville North and defending Class A state champ Wheaton Academy among its noteworthy results.
Now Loyola makes the trip to Aurora for an opportunity for either team to make major inroads toward a Blue Division title.
“We need to dictate our pace and style of play,” Alvarez said. “Create opportunities from possession and finish our chances. Now it's just about execution.”
Loyola is hoping a little more offensive punch can help produce a key road win.
“I feel like if we increase our scoring just a little bit we'd be better off in the standings in state,” Riskind said, “so that's kind of been our emphasis.
“It's a good group of kids. They're very talented. They work hard. Overall it's been a successful season.”