NSCD seeks to build pre-playoff momentum
By Mike Garofola
North Shore Country Day will look to put its recent four-game slide behind it when the Raiders hit the road for a nonconference soccer match against Schaumburg Christian.
After back-to-back victories for the first time since the opening week, the Raiders hit a rough patch and went 0-2-2. A 2-0 loss at home to University (Chicago) on Saturday dropped their overall record to 4-8-2 and 1-6-1 in Independent School League play.
Despite it all, there's no panic in the voice of manager Kyle Jones, who has seen his club continue to give forth consistent play and a high work rate, which the Raiders' boss knows is key from this point forward. He expected just that against Schaumburg Christian at 4:30 Monday at field 7 at Olympic Park in Schaumburg.
"Ever since that 4-2 win at Christian Liberty (Sept. 13) the lads have played their best soccer of the year," he said. "(They've) had a lot of the run of play because of our possession and combination work on the ball, and I'm beginning to see them be more resilient when things get a little rougher for them."
That Raiders' nature showed when the club responded to a 1-0 deficit and fought back for 1-1 draw Sept. 22 at Lisle.
"The lads dug (deep) down that day, especially after their 3-0 loss to a quality side (Latin) two days before," began Jones.
"Today's game will be the first of four this week to close out the regular season. I'm excited to see how we respond to a busy schedule like this one (before) we train and prepare for our regional opener the following week."
During the ups-and-downs of the Raiders season thus far, Jones has been especially pleased with the work rate of Axel Garcia and Jacob Sherman.
The sophomore duo has given the 'spine' of the Raiders strength, something that Jones knows will be key when the state series gets underway.
"Axel moving in as our center back has been wonderful for him as well as our club. Jacob, while not the biggest guy in the world, has given us so much as our defensive center midfielder," said Jones.
"We always know what we're going to get with those two lads, and that's important to the success of our team and in our overall play."
Without looking past this grueling final week, Jones has had one eye on the Raiders' regional. North Shore Country Day opens which begins Oct. 9 against the winner of a play-in match between Disney Magnet School and Lycee Francais.
"I'd say our no. 2 seed in our regional is fair, but overall it's a tough regional and sectional that we're in," said Jones. "So while I feel good about our chances, I can also say that none of us will be looking past that regional opener."
Should the Raiders advance, the likes of Francis Parker and Northridge await at sectionals.
"We're capable of playing attractive soccer, and at a high level, so this would be the time for the lads to show that they can," said Jones. "I'm excited to see what we can do this week, beginning today at Schaumburg."
Schaumburg Christian (10-4-1), which anointed the no. 2 seed at the Marian Central Catholic regional, has enjoyed a nice run of late, thanks in part to the attacking foursome of: Nathaniel Bedford, Jordan Epps, Alan Luna and Timothy Mayer, whom manager Tim White has come to rely on this fall.
"Those four have been the guys who been our scoring leaders this season, but perhaps the real key to our season thus far has been the play of Juan Monroy," said White.
The Conquerors, members of the Northeastern Athletic Conference, lost only two starters from a year ago, but both were in Jones' backline.
"Juan volunteered to move from his spot in the midfield to our backline, and it took him just three games to understand his role and position, and since then, he's been just amazing for us back there," said White.
White feels the 180 degree turnaround for his club is due to the fact that his juniors and seniors have now been together for three years, and (that) experience as a group has finally reaped the rewards he was hoping for.
By Mike Garofola
North Shore Country Day will look to put its recent four-game slide behind it when the Raiders hit the road for a nonconference soccer match against Schaumburg Christian.
After back-to-back victories for the first time since the opening week, the Raiders hit a rough patch and went 0-2-2. A 2-0 loss at home to University (Chicago) on Saturday dropped their overall record to 4-8-2 and 1-6-1 in Independent School League play.
Despite it all, there's no panic in the voice of manager Kyle Jones, who has seen his club continue to give forth consistent play and a high work rate, which the Raiders' boss knows is key from this point forward. He expected just that against Schaumburg Christian at 4:30 Monday at field 7 at Olympic Park in Schaumburg.
"Ever since that 4-2 win at Christian Liberty (Sept. 13) the lads have played their best soccer of the year," he said. "(They've) had a lot of the run of play because of our possession and combination work on the ball, and I'm beginning to see them be more resilient when things get a little rougher for them."
That Raiders' nature showed when the club responded to a 1-0 deficit and fought back for 1-1 draw Sept. 22 at Lisle.
"The lads dug (deep) down that day, especially after their 3-0 loss to a quality side (Latin) two days before," began Jones.
"Today's game will be the first of four this week to close out the regular season. I'm excited to see how we respond to a busy schedule like this one (before) we train and prepare for our regional opener the following week."
During the ups-and-downs of the Raiders season thus far, Jones has been especially pleased with the work rate of Axel Garcia and Jacob Sherman.
The sophomore duo has given the 'spine' of the Raiders strength, something that Jones knows will be key when the state series gets underway.
"Axel moving in as our center back has been wonderful for him as well as our club. Jacob, while not the biggest guy in the world, has given us so much as our defensive center midfielder," said Jones.
"We always know what we're going to get with those two lads, and that's important to the success of our team and in our overall play."
Without looking past this grueling final week, Jones has had one eye on the Raiders' regional. North Shore Country Day opens which begins Oct. 9 against the winner of a play-in match between Disney Magnet School and Lycee Francais.
"I'd say our no. 2 seed in our regional is fair, but overall it's a tough regional and sectional that we're in," said Jones. "So while I feel good about our chances, I can also say that none of us will be looking past that regional opener."
Should the Raiders advance, the likes of Francis Parker and Northridge await at sectionals.
"We're capable of playing attractive soccer, and at a high level, so this would be the time for the lads to show that they can," said Jones. "I'm excited to see what we can do this week, beginning today at Schaumburg."
Schaumburg Christian (10-4-1), which anointed the no. 2 seed at the Marian Central Catholic regional, has enjoyed a nice run of late, thanks in part to the attacking foursome of: Nathaniel Bedford, Jordan Epps, Alan Luna and Timothy Mayer, whom manager Tim White has come to rely on this fall.
"Those four have been the guys who been our scoring leaders this season, but perhaps the real key to our season thus far has been the play of Juan Monroy," said White.
The Conquerors, members of the Northeastern Athletic Conference, lost only two starters from a year ago, but both were in Jones' backline.
"Juan volunteered to move from his spot in the midfield to our backline, and it took him just three games to understand his role and position, and since then, he's been just amazing for us back there," said White.
White feels the 180 degree turnaround for his club is due to the fact that his juniors and seniors have now been together for three years, and (that) experience as a group has finally reaped the rewards he was hoping for.