Busy DuKane slate continues
for Lake Park, Wheaton Warrenville South
By Mike Garofola
Wheaton Warrenville South manager Guy Callipari has seen just about everything during his brilliant career, but he saw something new in the spring of the 2018 soccer season.
"Only one player in my 26 years of coaching has ever made the varsity team via through video," recounted Callipari.
It was Becca Hauenstein.
"Just before tryouts I had broken my big toe real bad, I was on crutches, and there was talk of surgery to repair the break," explained Hauenstein.
"So, I sent a highlight video as my tryout, and I guess that was enough to convince him that I belonged on the team."
The now four-year varsity veteran became an instant contributor in Callipari's starting 11 along the outside of the Tigers backline. She has stayed on the outside this season -- but as a midfielder who will play a vital role against visiting Lake Park at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
"Becca has been a mainstay at the left back position," Callipari said. "(She) is a box-to-box player, intense, quick and technical (with) the skill and ability to cut into the space available centrally to open up the game and possibilities for herself and others."
"My first two years of high school soccer, and all throughout club, I've been an outside back. I always like to get forward into the attack, so I really like the move to an outside-mid position this year," said Hauenstein, who proudly wears the captains' armbands with teammate Melisa Hadzic.
Hauenstein, who is the team leader in assists, will choose between Indiana, Clemson or Georgia for her new school address next fall.
Despite having a season filled with one fixture after another, Hauenstein feels her teammates are ready for the challenge, even though the Tigers roster sits at 18 field players and two keepers. A couple of players are sidelined due to injury.
"Cal (coach Callipari) has been giving us rest days when he feels we need it, which has been great," said Hauenstein.
"Although all of us would rather play than practice, (the) fact that we're having a real season instead of what the boys just finished (or) worse not having a season at all, has made all of us (not) take anything for granted and work as hard as we can."
Callipari suggests the recent 4-1 loss at home to St. Charles East, the new no. 1 team in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, helped set the bar from here-on-out for his club.
"The East game demonstrated that another level does exist, and we should work towards that end,: he said. "When you play a team of quality, you will be exposed to the weaknesses that can be fixed within your structure. And if attended, we can improve in that area.
"Our next game against Batavia was an example of having learned from our mistakes and weaknesses."
Hadzic's double and goals from Lauren Barnett and Hauenstein led the Tigers to a 4-1 victory.
In the first leg of the Wheaton Cup on Monday, Wheaton Warrenville South trailed 1-0 after 35 minutes, when the game was suspended. The match will resume May 10.
There were plenty of big smiles for Lake Park last Saturday afternoon after Sean Crosby's club claimed its first victory since April 23, 2019 with a 1-0 win over Glenbard North.
With the helper coming from Patty Lachowiez, Anna Odisho netted the game-winner 10 minutes from time to insure the Lancers victory.
Despite falling to high-profile Chicagoland Soccer sides: St. Charles East and North, and recently, Wheaton North, Crosby knew victory was near for his young club, which had close calls with Batavia (a 2-1 loss) and a draw at Elgin.
"There is plenty to like about this team, even before our win at Glenbard North," began Crosby.
"The strength of our team in our defensive unit, which has shown tremendous signs of comfort and confidence as a group going forward.
"We're getting so much more comfortable in setting offsides traps, defending 1-v-1 situations and starting our attack with passes out of the back."
"With several of our opponents having such talented forwards and midfielders, we've seen a lot of pressure from those types of players. Although it clearly doesn't always go our way, our players have been fearless going up against the best in our conference."
Crosby points to a quartet of players who have been consistent from the start, beginning with his senior co-captains: Emma Thorne and AnnMarie Ahrens, as well as the sophomore duo of Lauren Malone and Gianna Kubica.
"Emma is in a new role for us this year as our keeper, but as an incredible athlete she has been so good in challenging attackers in and around the penalty area. She's saved our tails countless times as our last line of defense," said Crosby.
"AnnMarie is a true box-to-box player who handles things for us as our center-midfielder, defending like crazy and setting up others."
Crosby is thrilled to have a pair of young defenders in Malone and Kubica to count on now and for the next two years.
"Lauren and Gianna cover so much ground, and they are both very good at anticipating plays 2-3 steps ahead of the game," said Crosby.
"They are both fearless in defending physical challenges, and each helps create the attack out of the back with their passing and distribution.
"Both girls have been a great addition to our program since they joined the team."
Crosby and his staff have been pleasantly surprised by a trio of key players in the middle of the park for the Lancers.
"Anna (Odisho) and Patty (Lachowiez) are returning players. As a coaching staff we knew what they would bring to our team this season," Crosby said.
"However, what we have been surprised with is their ability to change the pace of the attack, and their commitment to getting into the box to create scoring chances for us.
"Anna has been our most consistent player in our attack and leads the team in shots on, while Patty has helped us build chances up the wing and had that great assist in Anna's game winner against Glenbard North.
"Freshman Francesca Cali is a regular in the Lancers' first 11 and brings an impressive work rate, and a willingness to defend, and attack.
"Francesca loves to compete, and will not shy away from going in on the tackle against bigger, stronger, and older players, nor is she afraid to take them on."
for Lake Park, Wheaton Warrenville South
By Mike Garofola
Wheaton Warrenville South manager Guy Callipari has seen just about everything during his brilliant career, but he saw something new in the spring of the 2018 soccer season.
"Only one player in my 26 years of coaching has ever made the varsity team via through video," recounted Callipari.
It was Becca Hauenstein.
"Just before tryouts I had broken my big toe real bad, I was on crutches, and there was talk of surgery to repair the break," explained Hauenstein.
"So, I sent a highlight video as my tryout, and I guess that was enough to convince him that I belonged on the team."
The now four-year varsity veteran became an instant contributor in Callipari's starting 11 along the outside of the Tigers backline. She has stayed on the outside this season -- but as a midfielder who will play a vital role against visiting Lake Park at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
"Becca has been a mainstay at the left back position," Callipari said. "(She) is a box-to-box player, intense, quick and technical (with) the skill and ability to cut into the space available centrally to open up the game and possibilities for herself and others."
"My first two years of high school soccer, and all throughout club, I've been an outside back. I always like to get forward into the attack, so I really like the move to an outside-mid position this year," said Hauenstein, who proudly wears the captains' armbands with teammate Melisa Hadzic.
Hauenstein, who is the team leader in assists, will choose between Indiana, Clemson or Georgia for her new school address next fall.
Despite having a season filled with one fixture after another, Hauenstein feels her teammates are ready for the challenge, even though the Tigers roster sits at 18 field players and two keepers. A couple of players are sidelined due to injury.
"Cal (coach Callipari) has been giving us rest days when he feels we need it, which has been great," said Hauenstein.
"Although all of us would rather play than practice, (the) fact that we're having a real season instead of what the boys just finished (or) worse not having a season at all, has made all of us (not) take anything for granted and work as hard as we can."
Callipari suggests the recent 4-1 loss at home to St. Charles East, the new no. 1 team in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, helped set the bar from here-on-out for his club.
"The East game demonstrated that another level does exist, and we should work towards that end,: he said. "When you play a team of quality, you will be exposed to the weaknesses that can be fixed within your structure. And if attended, we can improve in that area.
"Our next game against Batavia was an example of having learned from our mistakes and weaknesses."
Hadzic's double and goals from Lauren Barnett and Hauenstein led the Tigers to a 4-1 victory.
In the first leg of the Wheaton Cup on Monday, Wheaton Warrenville South trailed 1-0 after 35 minutes, when the game was suspended. The match will resume May 10.
There were plenty of big smiles for Lake Park last Saturday afternoon after Sean Crosby's club claimed its first victory since April 23, 2019 with a 1-0 win over Glenbard North.
With the helper coming from Patty Lachowiez, Anna Odisho netted the game-winner 10 minutes from time to insure the Lancers victory.
Despite falling to high-profile Chicagoland Soccer sides: St. Charles East and North, and recently, Wheaton North, Crosby knew victory was near for his young club, which had close calls with Batavia (a 2-1 loss) and a draw at Elgin.
"There is plenty to like about this team, even before our win at Glenbard North," began Crosby.
"The strength of our team in our defensive unit, which has shown tremendous signs of comfort and confidence as a group going forward.
"We're getting so much more comfortable in setting offsides traps, defending 1-v-1 situations and starting our attack with passes out of the back."
"With several of our opponents having such talented forwards and midfielders, we've seen a lot of pressure from those types of players. Although it clearly doesn't always go our way, our players have been fearless going up against the best in our conference."
Crosby points to a quartet of players who have been consistent from the start, beginning with his senior co-captains: Emma Thorne and AnnMarie Ahrens, as well as the sophomore duo of Lauren Malone and Gianna Kubica.
"Emma is in a new role for us this year as our keeper, but as an incredible athlete she has been so good in challenging attackers in and around the penalty area. She's saved our tails countless times as our last line of defense," said Crosby.
"AnnMarie is a true box-to-box player who handles things for us as our center-midfielder, defending like crazy and setting up others."
Crosby is thrilled to have a pair of young defenders in Malone and Kubica to count on now and for the next two years.
"Lauren and Gianna cover so much ground, and they are both very good at anticipating plays 2-3 steps ahead of the game," said Crosby.
"They are both fearless in defending physical challenges, and each helps create the attack out of the back with their passing and distribution.
"Both girls have been a great addition to our program since they joined the team."
Crosby and his staff have been pleasantly surprised by a trio of key players in the middle of the park for the Lancers.
"Anna (Odisho) and Patty (Lachowiez) are returning players. As a coaching staff we knew what they would bring to our team this season," Crosby said.
"However, what we have been surprised with is their ability to change the pace of the attack, and their commitment to getting into the box to create scoring chances for us.
"Anna has been our most consistent player in our attack and leads the team in shots on, while Patty has helped us build chances up the wing and had that great assist in Anna's game winner against Glenbard North.
"Freshman Francesca Cali is a regular in the Lancers' first 11 and brings an impressive work rate, and a willingness to defend, and attack.
"Francesca loves to compete, and will not shy away from going in on the tackle against bigger, stronger, and older players, nor is she afraid to take them on."