DGS, Willowbrook expect 'blue-collar' battle
By Matt Le Cren
For nearly two decades, Downers Grove South could reliably expect to chalk up a victory when it played Willowbrook.
That changed last year when the host Warriors upset the Mustangs 4-3 in a gripping Senior Night triumph. It was Willowbrook’s first win over Downers Grove South in at least 15 years.
While both teams’ chances to win the West Suburban Conference Gold Division title went the way of the manual typewriter a couple of weeks ago, expect another hard-fought match when the Warriors travel to Downers South on Tuesday night.
Willowbrook coach Eddie DeLaCruz certainly does.
“Absolutely,” DeLaCruz said. “We’ve played DGS pretty well at their place the last couple of times, losing by a goal. Four years ago, we lost 2-1.
“(Downers Grove South) coach (Jon Stapleton) and I have the utmost respect for each other. We know when we line up on the soccer field, we know what we’re both going to get, just a hard-fought, blue-collar soccer game that any fan would want to see.”
Downers Grove South has the better pedigree in terms of historical success, highlighted by the 2004 state championship. But the Mustangs (4-6-3, 1-3-0) have struggled this season, especially offensively.
That might play into the hands of the Warriors (4-11-0, 0-4-0), who have a solid goalkeeper in senior Mario Giase, a three-year starter.
But Willowbrook’s defense has been decimated by injuries, and Giase has been under siege for most of the campaign.
“It’s been an up-and-down year,” DeLaCruz said. “I had a brand-new back four defense and two of those four are out with season-ending injuries, so we’ve been giving up a good amount of goals.
“When you have a new backline, what usually happens in high school soccer is your midfield has to drop back a little bit more and help out. Bat at the same time, we have to continue to work hard.”
The Warriors have given up 11 goals in their last two games, losing to Morton and Glenbard West. The Mustangs, conversely, have scored only twice in their last three outings, which included a 2-1 loss to Proviso East and draws with Downers Grove North and Glenbard East.
“We’ve been inconsistent in scoring,” Stapleton said. “(Enrique Gonzalez) and Alex Flores have some goals recently. With those guys finding the back of the net, we’re going to be better.”
The Mustangs have been better in the back, where Stapleton has been pleased with the play of Michael Beube and Ethan Kelly. So neither team can expect an easy time.
“Nothing comes easy with Willowbrook, and we know that Tuesday won’t be an exception,” Stapleton said. “At this point, the (sectional) seeding is done, for us conference is out. Now we just want to continue to improve and be the best we can be going into playoffs.
“They got us 4-3 last year at their place. Hopefully we can come out and play hard and get a result.”
Willowbrook hasn’t gotten many good results yet and may have to wait until next year to achieve sustained success.
“This year we’ve had some growing pains,” DeLaCruz said. “I’ve never had this many injuries, but you can’t make those excuses. It is next man up.
“Probably the best part of this is I’m seeing what I have for the future. There’s a lot of young kids that are going to be coming back.
“This is a transition year, but we’re still fighting, and we’re still playing hard, for sure.”
By Matt Le Cren
For nearly two decades, Downers Grove South could reliably expect to chalk up a victory when it played Willowbrook.
That changed last year when the host Warriors upset the Mustangs 4-3 in a gripping Senior Night triumph. It was Willowbrook’s first win over Downers Grove South in at least 15 years.
While both teams’ chances to win the West Suburban Conference Gold Division title went the way of the manual typewriter a couple of weeks ago, expect another hard-fought match when the Warriors travel to Downers South on Tuesday night.
Willowbrook coach Eddie DeLaCruz certainly does.
“Absolutely,” DeLaCruz said. “We’ve played DGS pretty well at their place the last couple of times, losing by a goal. Four years ago, we lost 2-1.
“(Downers Grove South) coach (Jon Stapleton) and I have the utmost respect for each other. We know when we line up on the soccer field, we know what we’re both going to get, just a hard-fought, blue-collar soccer game that any fan would want to see.”
Downers Grove South has the better pedigree in terms of historical success, highlighted by the 2004 state championship. But the Mustangs (4-6-3, 1-3-0) have struggled this season, especially offensively.
That might play into the hands of the Warriors (4-11-0, 0-4-0), who have a solid goalkeeper in senior Mario Giase, a three-year starter.
But Willowbrook’s defense has been decimated by injuries, and Giase has been under siege for most of the campaign.
“It’s been an up-and-down year,” DeLaCruz said. “I had a brand-new back four defense and two of those four are out with season-ending injuries, so we’ve been giving up a good amount of goals.
“When you have a new backline, what usually happens in high school soccer is your midfield has to drop back a little bit more and help out. Bat at the same time, we have to continue to work hard.”
The Warriors have given up 11 goals in their last two games, losing to Morton and Glenbard West. The Mustangs, conversely, have scored only twice in their last three outings, which included a 2-1 loss to Proviso East and draws with Downers Grove North and Glenbard East.
“We’ve been inconsistent in scoring,” Stapleton said. “(Enrique Gonzalez) and Alex Flores have some goals recently. With those guys finding the back of the net, we’re going to be better.”
The Mustangs have been better in the back, where Stapleton has been pleased with the play of Michael Beube and Ethan Kelly. So neither team can expect an easy time.
“Nothing comes easy with Willowbrook, and we know that Tuesday won’t be an exception,” Stapleton said. “At this point, the (sectional) seeding is done, for us conference is out. Now we just want to continue to improve and be the best we can be going into playoffs.
“They got us 4-3 last year at their place. Hopefully we can come out and play hard and get a result.”
Willowbrook hasn’t gotten many good results yet and may have to wait until next year to achieve sustained success.
“This year we’ve had some growing pains,” DeLaCruz said. “I’ve never had this many injuries, but you can’t make those excuses. It is next man up.
“Probably the best part of this is I’m seeing what I have for the future. There’s a lot of young kids that are going to be coming back.
“This is a transition year, but we’re still fighting, and we’re still playing hard, for sure.”