However you categorize the match,
West Chicago, Bartlett plan to get after it
By Jared Birchfield
West Chicago coach J. Cesar Gomez does not see his team’s competition with conference foe Bartlett as intense as the friction between crosstown rivals Elgin and Larkin. Gomez compares it more to a relationship between siblings.
“Kind of a big sister-little sister thing where as the younger one you want to get to the spot where you can take over,” he said.
West Chicago (1-2-3, 1-1-2) hopes to take that step Wednesday when it takes on the Hawks (4-2-0, 4-0-0) at 6:30 p.m. in Bartlett.
The Hawks hold the upper hand in recent matches between the two schools. The last time the Wildcats beat Bartlett in regular-season play was 2014, the year West Chicago joined the Upstate Eight Conference. The Hawks have shut out West Chicago in their last four meetings.
Gomez does not mind his squad playing David to Bartlett’s Goliath.
“I kind of like being in the underdog role. Hopefully, I think they will look past us, and we will surprise them,” the Wildcats coach said.
Gomez relies on forwards Heidi Pereckas and Jenna Zeitoun, a freshman and sophomore, to provide the offensive fire power. He sees a lot of potential in the duo.
“Both kids on top are (essentially) freshmen. Jenna is a sophomore but did not play her freshman year because of COVID, and Heidi is a true freshman,” said Gomez. “They have not grown into what they can eventually be. That's going to happen with a little bit of more coaching and playing every day.”
Sophomore Daisy Garcia continues to grow in her midfield spot.
“She is embracing her role. She doesn't need to be quiet anymore. She's barking orders and (leading) … with her own play,” the Wildcats coach said.
Arianna Hernandez, a freshman, has done well at goalkeeper.
“She has the hands and reflexes, and she reacts very well,” said Gomez. “She has come up big on several occasions and that really gives us hope that that this is a girl that can do the job.”
The West Chicago coach praised his team leaders.
“I think the three captains – Luciana Balzer, Emily Ayala and Ruby Lebo - have changed the culture of the team,” he said. “This team is different now. It works very hard and (is becoming) a family.”
Bartlett coach Vince Revak always gets his team ready for the annual get-together with West Chicago.
“I couldn't call our matchup a rivalry but at the same point you consider that that just about everybody in the conference is a rival,” Revak said. “I think overall it's a cordial rivalry rather than a more intense pairing like with South Elgin for example.”
Despite appearing to have the advantage when comparing season and conference records, the Hawks are not going to let down their guard.
“I think it's important that we don't fall asleep. We don’t assume that any team will be a win,” said Revak. “We have to come to every game like it’s the most competitive one of the year. We should come away with the result we want, but it won't be an easy match.”
Striker Serena Salvato leads the Hawks’ attack.
“Her speed is great and now that she's developed into a player that knows where to make her run, it’s rare for her not to get behind the defense for a breakaway or two,” the Bartlett coach said. “It's good to have that attacking player who can stretch the defenses and kind of keep the defensive line on their toes at all times.”
Junior midfielder Tessa Evans is another weapon.
“She's an excellent player, always contributing offensively,” Revak said.” It’s almost guaranteed that every time we do something offensively, Tessa will have some sort of influence on the play.”
Supporting Evans in the midfield are two freshmen.
“We have Laney Stark, an outside mid on the left and Brooke Bauman on the right. Both girls have been a really nice surprise this year,” said Revak. “Both are athletic and smart players and have really been playing beyond their years.”
Anchoring the backline is junior Sabrina Fowler.
“She is just an absolute rock. She's been playing at a high level. Itt's nice to have her back there,” the Bartlett coach said.
Another newcomer has made her presence felt in back.
“Gracie Cwik, a freshman, is playing center back and she's been wonderful,” said Revak.
West Chicago, Bartlett plan to get after it
By Jared Birchfield
West Chicago coach J. Cesar Gomez does not see his team’s competition with conference foe Bartlett as intense as the friction between crosstown rivals Elgin and Larkin. Gomez compares it more to a relationship between siblings.
“Kind of a big sister-little sister thing where as the younger one you want to get to the spot where you can take over,” he said.
West Chicago (1-2-3, 1-1-2) hopes to take that step Wednesday when it takes on the Hawks (4-2-0, 4-0-0) at 6:30 p.m. in Bartlett.
The Hawks hold the upper hand in recent matches between the two schools. The last time the Wildcats beat Bartlett in regular-season play was 2014, the year West Chicago joined the Upstate Eight Conference. The Hawks have shut out West Chicago in their last four meetings.
Gomez does not mind his squad playing David to Bartlett’s Goliath.
“I kind of like being in the underdog role. Hopefully, I think they will look past us, and we will surprise them,” the Wildcats coach said.
Gomez relies on forwards Heidi Pereckas and Jenna Zeitoun, a freshman and sophomore, to provide the offensive fire power. He sees a lot of potential in the duo.
“Both kids on top are (essentially) freshmen. Jenna is a sophomore but did not play her freshman year because of COVID, and Heidi is a true freshman,” said Gomez. “They have not grown into what they can eventually be. That's going to happen with a little bit of more coaching and playing every day.”
Sophomore Daisy Garcia continues to grow in her midfield spot.
“She is embracing her role. She doesn't need to be quiet anymore. She's barking orders and (leading) … with her own play,” the Wildcats coach said.
Arianna Hernandez, a freshman, has done well at goalkeeper.
“She has the hands and reflexes, and she reacts very well,” said Gomez. “She has come up big on several occasions and that really gives us hope that that this is a girl that can do the job.”
The West Chicago coach praised his team leaders.
“I think the three captains – Luciana Balzer, Emily Ayala and Ruby Lebo - have changed the culture of the team,” he said. “This team is different now. It works very hard and (is becoming) a family.”
Bartlett coach Vince Revak always gets his team ready for the annual get-together with West Chicago.
“I couldn't call our matchup a rivalry but at the same point you consider that that just about everybody in the conference is a rival,” Revak said. “I think overall it's a cordial rivalry rather than a more intense pairing like with South Elgin for example.”
Despite appearing to have the advantage when comparing season and conference records, the Hawks are not going to let down their guard.
“I think it's important that we don't fall asleep. We don’t assume that any team will be a win,” said Revak. “We have to come to every game like it’s the most competitive one of the year. We should come away with the result we want, but it won't be an easy match.”
Striker Serena Salvato leads the Hawks’ attack.
“Her speed is great and now that she's developed into a player that knows where to make her run, it’s rare for her not to get behind the defense for a breakaway or two,” the Bartlett coach said. “It's good to have that attacking player who can stretch the defenses and kind of keep the defensive line on their toes at all times.”
Junior midfielder Tessa Evans is another weapon.
“She's an excellent player, always contributing offensively,” Revak said.” It’s almost guaranteed that every time we do something offensively, Tessa will have some sort of influence on the play.”
Supporting Evans in the midfield are two freshmen.
“We have Laney Stark, an outside mid on the left and Brooke Bauman on the right. Both girls have been a really nice surprise this year,” said Revak. “Both are athletic and smart players and have really been playing beyond their years.”
Anchoring the backline is junior Sabrina Fowler.
“She is just an absolute rock. She's been playing at a high level. Itt's nice to have her back there,” the Bartlett coach said.
Another newcomer has made her presence felt in back.
“Gracie Cwik, a freshman, is playing center back and she's been wonderful,” said Revak.