West Suburban's Gold standard,
Morton and DGS, battle for title
By Dave Owen
What for years was a waltz to the West Suburban Conference Gold Division girls soccer championship for Downers Grove South has evolved into a tug of war with one other program.
In a long run of Downers Grove South league dominance dating back two decades, one foe has made major recent inroads. Morton had wins over DGS in both 2018 and 2019, earning the emerging program from Berwyn-Cicero undefeated league titles each time.
Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., Morton has another shot at an undefeated title within reach in Downers Grove: both Morton (15-4-0 overall) and Downers Grove South (7-8-1) enter the Gold finale with 5-0-0 records.
Outside of those two recent Morton wins in the series, DGS has lost just one other WSC Gold game in the past seven years (in 2017 to Hinsdale South).
“Morton is a program that has certainly grown over the past few years,” Msutangs coach Chris Hernandez said. “They are well coached and have an ever-growing number of athletes who are playing year-round.”
The respect between the top Gold Division teams is mutual. Morton’s Andrea Aguirre is in her first season playing high school soccer, but knows of the Downers Grove South history.
“I’ve heard over the years that they’ve been really challenging,” Aguirre said, “but I think we’re mentally ready as a team.”
Downers Grove South responded to the two-straight losses to Morton with a pair of hard-fought wins last season. One was by a 1-0 score, the other a 3-2 win in double overtime.
“We saw them twice last year and have an understanding of their abilities and tactics on both sides of the ball,” Hernandez said.
Those tactics have produced a 28-0 scoring advantage for Morton over its first five division foes this spring. Downers Grove South has an almost identical dominant scoring margin of 31-2 against the same five opponents.
“The best way we will look to counter Morton's speed is by defending with our shape,” Hernandez said. “We must be disciplined defensively.”
Morton coach Jim Bageanis expects a battle.
“I hope it will be a competitive game for us,” Bageanis said. “DGS is an excellent team with very talented players at all of the positions.
“We hope to compete and play our style and keep our effort at a high level throughout the game. We need to play a clean game and limit our mistakes at the speed of play.”
While Morton has the better overall 2022 record, Downers Grove South’s mark is deceiving because of losses to elite nonconference foes like Naperville North, Naperville Central, New Trier, Benet and Waubonsie Valley.
“As a program we are always looking to develop our players,” Hernandez said, “and we feel that part of that process is competing against tough teams.
“Understanding what it means to compete in those games will give us experience we can rely on as we head into the playoffs, as well as in the years to come.”
Hernandez noted several players who have led his squad this spring.
“2021 IHSSCA All-Sectional Forward Emily Petring is continuing her development as a skilled attacking player with 13 goals and nine assists,” he said.
“Grace Rappel has evolved as a defensive player with an excellent ability to read the game, and added end product to her game with five goals and six assists.
“Our three sophomores (goalkeeper Hannah Fedinec and defenders Micah Olson and Gabby Okuku) have contributed massive minutes this year, as has freshman Ashley Molinari, who has been a mainstay in the midfield.”
Downers Grove South’s core will square off against a deep and talented Morton nucleus that includes senior standouts Mayte Gongora (on varsity since freshman year), Aguirre, Esmerelda Bautista, Vicky Ferrer and Mya Hernandez.
“We’re excited,” Mya Hernandez said. “We’re ready. I feel like our team’s capable of winning.
“It’s exciting because there’s a great rivalry we have. Hopefully it’ll be a good game.”
Morton’s Jacqueline Lara is optimistic that the narrow losses of last year could have a different ending this time.
“As long as we go in confident and ready to win, I think we’ve got it,” Jacquelin Lara said.
Morton and DGS, battle for title
By Dave Owen
What for years was a waltz to the West Suburban Conference Gold Division girls soccer championship for Downers Grove South has evolved into a tug of war with one other program.
In a long run of Downers Grove South league dominance dating back two decades, one foe has made major recent inroads. Morton had wins over DGS in both 2018 and 2019, earning the emerging program from Berwyn-Cicero undefeated league titles each time.
Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., Morton has another shot at an undefeated title within reach in Downers Grove: both Morton (15-4-0 overall) and Downers Grove South (7-8-1) enter the Gold finale with 5-0-0 records.
Outside of those two recent Morton wins in the series, DGS has lost just one other WSC Gold game in the past seven years (in 2017 to Hinsdale South).
“Morton is a program that has certainly grown over the past few years,” Msutangs coach Chris Hernandez said. “They are well coached and have an ever-growing number of athletes who are playing year-round.”
The respect between the top Gold Division teams is mutual. Morton’s Andrea Aguirre is in her first season playing high school soccer, but knows of the Downers Grove South history.
“I’ve heard over the years that they’ve been really challenging,” Aguirre said, “but I think we’re mentally ready as a team.”
Downers Grove South responded to the two-straight losses to Morton with a pair of hard-fought wins last season. One was by a 1-0 score, the other a 3-2 win in double overtime.
“We saw them twice last year and have an understanding of their abilities and tactics on both sides of the ball,” Hernandez said.
Those tactics have produced a 28-0 scoring advantage for Morton over its first five division foes this spring. Downers Grove South has an almost identical dominant scoring margin of 31-2 against the same five opponents.
“The best way we will look to counter Morton's speed is by defending with our shape,” Hernandez said. “We must be disciplined defensively.”
Morton coach Jim Bageanis expects a battle.
“I hope it will be a competitive game for us,” Bageanis said. “DGS is an excellent team with very talented players at all of the positions.
“We hope to compete and play our style and keep our effort at a high level throughout the game. We need to play a clean game and limit our mistakes at the speed of play.”
While Morton has the better overall 2022 record, Downers Grove South’s mark is deceiving because of losses to elite nonconference foes like Naperville North, Naperville Central, New Trier, Benet and Waubonsie Valley.
“As a program we are always looking to develop our players,” Hernandez said, “and we feel that part of that process is competing against tough teams.
“Understanding what it means to compete in those games will give us experience we can rely on as we head into the playoffs, as well as in the years to come.”
Hernandez noted several players who have led his squad this spring.
“2021 IHSSCA All-Sectional Forward Emily Petring is continuing her development as a skilled attacking player with 13 goals and nine assists,” he said.
“Grace Rappel has evolved as a defensive player with an excellent ability to read the game, and added end product to her game with five goals and six assists.
“Our three sophomores (goalkeeper Hannah Fedinec and defenders Micah Olson and Gabby Okuku) have contributed massive minutes this year, as has freshman Ashley Molinari, who has been a mainstay in the midfield.”
Downers Grove South’s core will square off against a deep and talented Morton nucleus that includes senior standouts Mayte Gongora (on varsity since freshman year), Aguirre, Esmerelda Bautista, Vicky Ferrer and Mya Hernandez.
“We’re excited,” Mya Hernandez said. “We’re ready. I feel like our team’s capable of winning.
“It’s exciting because there’s a great rivalry we have. Hopefully it’ll be a good game.”
Morton’s Jacqueline Lara is optimistic that the narrow losses of last year could have a different ending this time.
“As long as we go in confident and ready to win, I think we’ve got it,” Jacquelin Lara said.