Addison Trail looking forward
to tough test from Morton
By Bobby Narang
ADDISON — Addison Trail coach Ryan Dini doesn’t need an extensive scouting report to learn about Morton for the 6:30 p.m. West Suburban Conference Gold Division match Tuesday.
The programs know each other well.
The no. 5 Mustangs visit with a four-game win streak in tow.
Dini said that Morton (13-2, 2-0-x) has an abundance of highly skilled players and his Blazers (7-6-1, 2-2-x) will have their hands full trying to contain them.
What does Addison Trail have to worry about in the game?
“Ha, ha, can I say everything?” Dini asked. “They have so much team speed and play together. They share the ball well and capitalize on their opportunities. They’re a very well-coached team and will expose you with overlap runs to try to confuse your defense.”
Morton has finished second and fourth in the last two Class 3A finals fours and won the state title in 2011. They added accomplishment with a victory at the Great River Classic in Burlington, Ia., over the weekend. The Mustangs traveled 250 miles to play in the highly competitive tournament, which included top teams from the Midwest.
The Mustangs won all three of their games in the Bimbo Bakeries bracket to be crowned the champion, which included an impressive 2-0 victory over nationally ranked St. Thomas Aquinas (Kan). They defeated Marquette (Wis.) in the final game to cement the title.
Ismael Zepeda led the way with four goals and one assist, while Edgar Quintero had a goal and two assists. Morton coach Jim Bageanis said his players gained confidence from the pressure-packed tourney.
“Our defense did a great job over the weekend,” Bageanis said. “We did not give up a goal in any of the three games, allowing our offense to create chances and really put pressure up-top against the teams we played. This gave us opportunities to be creative and use our skill in the offensive third.
“I feel we learned that we can compete with anyone even on a big stage. I think we needed to have a game where we were the underdog for once. I felt it showed that we could play up a level and compete and be successful all in the same game.”
Even so, Bageanis is fully aware that if his team lacks focus or energy on Tuesday night that all the good vibes from the weekend will be wiped away. He admitted the Blazers, who defeated Neuqua Valley 1-0 on Saturday, represent a tough test for his team.
"The keys are usually to keep our offensive pressure on them and finish chances,” he said. “It’s always a competitive match. Ryan always has them ready and up for our game. It will be another good matchup.”
Dini said beating the Mustangs will require 80 minutes of intense play by his team, but he also added three key requirements for a victory.
“We need to play our best defensive game of the season to contain Morton's high-powered offense,” he said. “We have to score first and also have some really good stretches of possession to put some pressure on Morton.”
With wins in four of their last six games, Dini said the Blazers are peaking at the right time of the season.
Addison Trail has won its last two home games, something they hope to continue past Tuesday night.
“The defense is the heart of the team,” Dini said. “Some games, all four starters are seniors that have multiple varsity years of playing together. We have to be more consistent, but we have had some games where our team energy on the field and on the bench has been off the charts. This has resulted in some nice wins this season.
“I love the opportunity that we get to play Morton two weeks before the playoffs since we drew another solid team in West Chicago in the first round.”
Dini said several seniors are among the players who have helped the Blazers build momentum.
“Romano Gallo scored a big goal on the wing last game and has given us some valuable minutes throughout the season,” Dini said. “Luca Fischer has given us a lot of stability in the midfield since moving from defender. His vision, soccer IQ, and work rate have been impressive.
“Jason Valdez has been huge on the defensive end of the field for us with taking on the responsibility of stopping the other team’s best scorer. He has probably only came off the field twice this whole entire season.”
Bageanis also pointed out a trio of players to watch on Tuesday.
“Ivan Ramirez has really anchored our backline,” Bageanis said. "He does so much by communication and his positioning. Ismael Zepeda has been a threat in most games for us. He has the ability to get in and score at anytime.
“Deyair Ruiz has been dominant all season long. Whether he is up-top or in the midfield, he's taking care of the ball for us or being dangerous offensively."
to tough test from Morton
By Bobby Narang
ADDISON — Addison Trail coach Ryan Dini doesn’t need an extensive scouting report to learn about Morton for the 6:30 p.m. West Suburban Conference Gold Division match Tuesday.
The programs know each other well.
The no. 5 Mustangs visit with a four-game win streak in tow.
Dini said that Morton (13-2, 2-0-x) has an abundance of highly skilled players and his Blazers (7-6-1, 2-2-x) will have their hands full trying to contain them.
What does Addison Trail have to worry about in the game?
“Ha, ha, can I say everything?” Dini asked. “They have so much team speed and play together. They share the ball well and capitalize on their opportunities. They’re a very well-coached team and will expose you with overlap runs to try to confuse your defense.”
Morton has finished second and fourth in the last two Class 3A finals fours and won the state title in 2011. They added accomplishment with a victory at the Great River Classic in Burlington, Ia., over the weekend. The Mustangs traveled 250 miles to play in the highly competitive tournament, which included top teams from the Midwest.
The Mustangs won all three of their games in the Bimbo Bakeries bracket to be crowned the champion, which included an impressive 2-0 victory over nationally ranked St. Thomas Aquinas (Kan). They defeated Marquette (Wis.) in the final game to cement the title.
Ismael Zepeda led the way with four goals and one assist, while Edgar Quintero had a goal and two assists. Morton coach Jim Bageanis said his players gained confidence from the pressure-packed tourney.
“Our defense did a great job over the weekend,” Bageanis said. “We did not give up a goal in any of the three games, allowing our offense to create chances and really put pressure up-top against the teams we played. This gave us opportunities to be creative and use our skill in the offensive third.
“I feel we learned that we can compete with anyone even on a big stage. I think we needed to have a game where we were the underdog for once. I felt it showed that we could play up a level and compete and be successful all in the same game.”
Even so, Bageanis is fully aware that if his team lacks focus or energy on Tuesday night that all the good vibes from the weekend will be wiped away. He admitted the Blazers, who defeated Neuqua Valley 1-0 on Saturday, represent a tough test for his team.
"The keys are usually to keep our offensive pressure on them and finish chances,” he said. “It’s always a competitive match. Ryan always has them ready and up for our game. It will be another good matchup.”
Dini said beating the Mustangs will require 80 minutes of intense play by his team, but he also added three key requirements for a victory.
“We need to play our best defensive game of the season to contain Morton's high-powered offense,” he said. “We have to score first and also have some really good stretches of possession to put some pressure on Morton.”
With wins in four of their last six games, Dini said the Blazers are peaking at the right time of the season.
Addison Trail has won its last two home games, something they hope to continue past Tuesday night.
“The defense is the heart of the team,” Dini said. “Some games, all four starters are seniors that have multiple varsity years of playing together. We have to be more consistent, but we have had some games where our team energy on the field and on the bench has been off the charts. This has resulted in some nice wins this season.
“I love the opportunity that we get to play Morton two weeks before the playoffs since we drew another solid team in West Chicago in the first round.”
Dini said several seniors are among the players who have helped the Blazers build momentum.
“Romano Gallo scored a big goal on the wing last game and has given us some valuable minutes throughout the season,” Dini said. “Luca Fischer has given us a lot of stability in the midfield since moving from defender. His vision, soccer IQ, and work rate have been impressive.
“Jason Valdez has been huge on the defensive end of the field for us with taking on the responsibility of stopping the other team’s best scorer. He has probably only came off the field twice this whole entire season.”
Bageanis also pointed out a trio of players to watch on Tuesday.
“Ivan Ramirez has really anchored our backline,” Bageanis said. "He does so much by communication and his positioning. Ismael Zepeda has been a threat in most games for us. He has the ability to get in and score at anytime.
“Deyair Ruiz has been dominant all season long. Whether he is up-top or in the midfield, he's taking care of the ball for us or being dangerous offensively."