Tough Crystal Lake South awaits
at end of long bus ride for Taft
By Bobby Narang
CRYSTAL LAKE — Taft’s road game on Saturday seems a bit out of place.
The Eagles, who compete in the Chicago Public League’s new Premier Division Northwest, are slated to travel to Crystal Lake South for a 10 a.m. game Saturday. The 40-mile one-way trip to the far northwest suburbs is a rare regular-season experience for the Eagles, who usually stay closer to their nest.
Taft coach Jeff Lucco said the talk about a possible Taft-Crystal Lake South game started with his assistant coach Dan Harte and Crystal Lake South coach Brian Allen a few years ago. Through time, Lucco formed a good working relationship and rapport with Allen.
“Dan was working for the Chicago Mustangs, and he helped us organize a Chicago Public League versus Fox Valley All-Star game,” Lucco said. “Brian and I were the sectional coordinators for our respective areas at the time, so we developed a working relationship.
“We’re both pretty active in the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association and United Soccer Coaches, so we have crossed paths a lot over the years. We always talked about playing, and this year was the first year we were able to make it a reality.
“I'm happy because it provides our students a chance to get out of the city and test themselves against a very good team. I hope we can make it a yearly game and possibly expand it to include other CPL/Fox Valley teams in the future.”
Allen said the soccer world can be a small one, which makes Saturday’s game a bit more exciting than the usual nonconference battles for his team.
“I've know Taft's assistant coach Dan Harte for some time now and used to play on a men's indoor team with him,” Allen said.” He and I also ran a CPS vs. Fox Valley senior all-star game for 2 years, so that's when I met Jeff Lucco.
“We had talked for several years of getting a game on the schedule but never had a proper weekend or opening. We were supposed to play during the COVID season, but that obviously threw schedules out the window.
“It just took a little longer than we would have liked, but we’re excited for the opportunity.”
Taft (9-3-1) and Crystal Lake South (6-3-1) enter the showdown riding solid play, especially on the defensive side. The visitors hope they can build on a three-game winning streak. Taft has outscored those opponents by a whopping 15-0.
Lucco said there are key factors why his team is playing well at the midpoint of the season.
“We have 13 guys with varsity experience that returned this year, and we added a strong contingent of junior varsity players who have played together for most of their high school careers,” Lucco said. “These guys get along well, and they know each other well on the field and off of the field.
“We also have a lot of technically gifted players and a core of hard-nosed and gifted defenders. Our defense has carried us thus far, but it hasn't been because of a lack of attacking ability as much as it was a lack of offensive identity.
“I think we have slowly figured out who we are as an attacking team, and a lot of credit for that goes to coach Dan Harte and his film analysis. It's given the boys tangible evidence to see what we want them to do and how it can lead to success on the pitch.”
Crystal Lake South saw its five-game winning streak snapped in a 2-1 double overtime loss to Dundee-Crown on Thursday. It marked just the second time that the Gators gave up more than one goal in a game this season. Thus far, the Gators have allowed just seven goals.
Allen praised the play of midfielder Mason Ross and forward Ari Chingakham for their energy in recent games.
“Our win streak ended, unfortunately, with some controversy, but our focus has to be back on playing our brand for consistent stretches and not beating ourselves defensively with any micro naps,” Allen said. “We have been very organized and disciplined, and lost a bit of that (Thursday).
“But if we can get back to taking our chances going forward and making the most of key opportunities, while staying disciplined defensively with our shape, I'm optimistic we will learn a lot and have great opportunity to get back on track against a quality opponent in Taft.”
Lucco said he’s intrigued to see how his team responds against a well-coached and organized Gators’ team. Taft is led by a strong defense that includes goalies Jack Skelton and Sebastian Rodriguez. The Eagles have been stingy on defense, allowing six goals all season.
“I don't know much about (Crystal Lake South) this year,” Lucco said. “I used to pride myself on watching more high school soccer than anyone else, but as I've gotten older, I haven't gotten around as much.
“I think it's always dangerous to assume, because a team has been one thing in the past that they will always be that, but we know that they have a rich history, especially recently, of playing at a high level.
“Brian is a really good coach and his teams have done well at both stopping people from scoring and scoring goals. That's always a dangerous combination.”
Allen said he knows Taft is a dangerous team, which makes him put added importance on his players being focused and ready early Saturday.
“Taft is one of the best city schools this season,” Allen said. “We’re really excited about the opportunity to see where we stack up and give ourselves another chance to grow and get better against another style of play that we might normally not see.
“Hopefully, this will help us prepare us for the playoffs. We have to play with energy and passion and play our brand of soccer to the best of our ability and will focus on that probably more than what Taft might do.”
The Gators will also will have an added incentive against Class 3A Taft. Saturday is Homecoming at The Swamp.
at end of long bus ride for Taft
By Bobby Narang
CRYSTAL LAKE — Taft’s road game on Saturday seems a bit out of place.
The Eagles, who compete in the Chicago Public League’s new Premier Division Northwest, are slated to travel to Crystal Lake South for a 10 a.m. game Saturday. The 40-mile one-way trip to the far northwest suburbs is a rare regular-season experience for the Eagles, who usually stay closer to their nest.
Taft coach Jeff Lucco said the talk about a possible Taft-Crystal Lake South game started with his assistant coach Dan Harte and Crystal Lake South coach Brian Allen a few years ago. Through time, Lucco formed a good working relationship and rapport with Allen.
“Dan was working for the Chicago Mustangs, and he helped us organize a Chicago Public League versus Fox Valley All-Star game,” Lucco said. “Brian and I were the sectional coordinators for our respective areas at the time, so we developed a working relationship.
“We’re both pretty active in the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association and United Soccer Coaches, so we have crossed paths a lot over the years. We always talked about playing, and this year was the first year we were able to make it a reality.
“I'm happy because it provides our students a chance to get out of the city and test themselves against a very good team. I hope we can make it a yearly game and possibly expand it to include other CPL/Fox Valley teams in the future.”
Allen said the soccer world can be a small one, which makes Saturday’s game a bit more exciting than the usual nonconference battles for his team.
“I've know Taft's assistant coach Dan Harte for some time now and used to play on a men's indoor team with him,” Allen said.” He and I also ran a CPS vs. Fox Valley senior all-star game for 2 years, so that's when I met Jeff Lucco.
“We had talked for several years of getting a game on the schedule but never had a proper weekend or opening. We were supposed to play during the COVID season, but that obviously threw schedules out the window.
“It just took a little longer than we would have liked, but we’re excited for the opportunity.”
Taft (9-3-1) and Crystal Lake South (6-3-1) enter the showdown riding solid play, especially on the defensive side. The visitors hope they can build on a three-game winning streak. Taft has outscored those opponents by a whopping 15-0.
Lucco said there are key factors why his team is playing well at the midpoint of the season.
“We have 13 guys with varsity experience that returned this year, and we added a strong contingent of junior varsity players who have played together for most of their high school careers,” Lucco said. “These guys get along well, and they know each other well on the field and off of the field.
“We also have a lot of technically gifted players and a core of hard-nosed and gifted defenders. Our defense has carried us thus far, but it hasn't been because of a lack of attacking ability as much as it was a lack of offensive identity.
“I think we have slowly figured out who we are as an attacking team, and a lot of credit for that goes to coach Dan Harte and his film analysis. It's given the boys tangible evidence to see what we want them to do and how it can lead to success on the pitch.”
Crystal Lake South saw its five-game winning streak snapped in a 2-1 double overtime loss to Dundee-Crown on Thursday. It marked just the second time that the Gators gave up more than one goal in a game this season. Thus far, the Gators have allowed just seven goals.
Allen praised the play of midfielder Mason Ross and forward Ari Chingakham for their energy in recent games.
“Our win streak ended, unfortunately, with some controversy, but our focus has to be back on playing our brand for consistent stretches and not beating ourselves defensively with any micro naps,” Allen said. “We have been very organized and disciplined, and lost a bit of that (Thursday).
“But if we can get back to taking our chances going forward and making the most of key opportunities, while staying disciplined defensively with our shape, I'm optimistic we will learn a lot and have great opportunity to get back on track against a quality opponent in Taft.”
Lucco said he’s intrigued to see how his team responds against a well-coached and organized Gators’ team. Taft is led by a strong defense that includes goalies Jack Skelton and Sebastian Rodriguez. The Eagles have been stingy on defense, allowing six goals all season.
“I don't know much about (Crystal Lake South) this year,” Lucco said. “I used to pride myself on watching more high school soccer than anyone else, but as I've gotten older, I haven't gotten around as much.
“I think it's always dangerous to assume, because a team has been one thing in the past that they will always be that, but we know that they have a rich history, especially recently, of playing at a high level.
“Brian is a really good coach and his teams have done well at both stopping people from scoring and scoring goals. That's always a dangerous combination.”
Allen said he knows Taft is a dangerous team, which makes him put added importance on his players being focused and ready early Saturday.
“Taft is one of the best city schools this season,” Allen said. “We’re really excited about the opportunity to see where we stack up and give ourselves another chance to grow and get better against another style of play that we might normally not see.
“Hopefully, this will help us prepare us for the playoffs. We have to play with energy and passion and play our brand of soccer to the best of our ability and will focus on that probably more than what Taft might do.”
The Gators will also will have an added incentive against Class 3A Taft. Saturday is Homecoming at The Swamp.