Wheaton Warrenville South, Lake Park seek elusive game-winning goal
By Bobby Narang
Wheaton Warrenville South and Lake Park have not been able to do much against the other in the DuKane Conference.
Besides the conference game aspect, Wheaton Warrenville South (6-5-3, 2-2-1) and Lake Park (4-8-4, 2-2-1) get yet another opportunity to determine a winner in their annual series.
In the spring, the Tigers and Lancers tied in each of their game last spring. Each team totaled just one goal in 160 minutes of action.
Wheaton Warrenville South coach Guy Callipari said his team is building toward an extended run in the playoffs. The Tigers were competitive in a 3-1 loss to York (14-1-0), which is ranked fourth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, on Saturday.
In the past two weeks the Tigers defeated Batavia 1-0, tied 2-2 against Glenbard West and beat Wheaton North 2-1 for the Wheaton Cup.
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Wheaton Warrenville South, the no. 11 seed in the Class 3A Plainfield North Sectionals, opens up the playoffs at East Aurora on Oct. 19.
“I believe the team has now identified its strengths and weaknesses,” Callipari said. “We continue to try and express ourselves in a positive way highlighting our positives. We continue to learn with each outing and … development has moved in a positive direction.”
Callipari said he warned his team not to overlook the Lancers, who upset undefeated and then second-ranked St. Charles East on Sept. 7.
“Lake Park beat St. Charles East, so therefore they have the will and know-how to put 80 quality minutes together,” he said. “We will need to balance our attack without giving too much in transition defensively.
“We'll need to take calculated risks in the offensive third of the field, creating second and third opportunities along the way. This match is critical to the standings and a positive result will take us into the final match in good standing.”
Lake Park coach Sean Crosby said Tuesday’s game will be a good test for his team.
“(Wheaton Warrenville South) is always a well-coached team that’s tough to play against,” he said. “We have to stay composed and organized in the back, work to maintain possession and pressure in the midfield and continue to be urgent in the attack throughout the game.
“They’re a team that can attack and defend with the best of them, looking at both records we are comparable teams with identical conference records. In high school soccer, as in all levels of ‘The Beautiful Game,’ you can play really well or even outplay your opponent and still come away with a draw or a loss. I'm sure that's true for matches Wheaton Warrenville South has played in, just as it is true for us. There will be a lot of talent on both sides of the field in tomorrow's match, the result will likely come down to who can capitalize best on their chances.”
Callipari said he’s counting on his upperclassmen to be key players in the vital road match.
“Our seniors forwards, Jason Weisheit and Gabe Waszak, will need to contribute consistently throughout the match,” he said. “Juniors Gael Alfara and Chase Kedzior will need to secure the midfield and contribute in our transitional play going forward.
“Defensively, we'll rely on the communication and understanding of senior defender Brian Tunney and junior defender Nikhil Bawa. We’re looking forward to a terrific match with a lot at stake.”
Lake Park, the no. 12 seed in the Class 3A Addison Trail Sectional, starts the postseason against Elk Grove at West Chicago on Oct. 20.
Crosby said the program recognized nine seniors Saturday against Bartlett, including key leaders and captains, Edgar Villagran, Frankie Caira and Raim Ramani.
The coach thinks a busy schedule season helped contribute the team’s woes. Crosby said the Lancers have played three games every week, including in two tournaments.
“In the last two weeks we haven't gotten the results we wanted. Some of it could be chalked up to a long season and heavy legs,” he said. “The good news is in our last two matches we showed more promising attack in a 3-2 win against conference opponent Batavia and a 0-0 draw against Bartlett on Saturday for our first shutout of the season.
“There are definitely some positives to take away from our recent play.”
By Bobby Narang
Wheaton Warrenville South and Lake Park have not been able to do much against the other in the DuKane Conference.
Besides the conference game aspect, Wheaton Warrenville South (6-5-3, 2-2-1) and Lake Park (4-8-4, 2-2-1) get yet another opportunity to determine a winner in their annual series.
In the spring, the Tigers and Lancers tied in each of their game last spring. Each team totaled just one goal in 160 minutes of action.
Wheaton Warrenville South coach Guy Callipari said his team is building toward an extended run in the playoffs. The Tigers were competitive in a 3-1 loss to York (14-1-0), which is ranked fourth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, on Saturday.
In the past two weeks the Tigers defeated Batavia 1-0, tied 2-2 against Glenbard West and beat Wheaton North 2-1 for the Wheaton Cup.
.
Wheaton Warrenville South, the no. 11 seed in the Class 3A Plainfield North Sectionals, opens up the playoffs at East Aurora on Oct. 19.
“I believe the team has now identified its strengths and weaknesses,” Callipari said. “We continue to try and express ourselves in a positive way highlighting our positives. We continue to learn with each outing and … development has moved in a positive direction.”
Callipari said he warned his team not to overlook the Lancers, who upset undefeated and then second-ranked St. Charles East on Sept. 7.
“Lake Park beat St. Charles East, so therefore they have the will and know-how to put 80 quality minutes together,” he said. “We will need to balance our attack without giving too much in transition defensively.
“We'll need to take calculated risks in the offensive third of the field, creating second and third opportunities along the way. This match is critical to the standings and a positive result will take us into the final match in good standing.”
Lake Park coach Sean Crosby said Tuesday’s game will be a good test for his team.
“(Wheaton Warrenville South) is always a well-coached team that’s tough to play against,” he said. “We have to stay composed and organized in the back, work to maintain possession and pressure in the midfield and continue to be urgent in the attack throughout the game.
“They’re a team that can attack and defend with the best of them, looking at both records we are comparable teams with identical conference records. In high school soccer, as in all levels of ‘The Beautiful Game,’ you can play really well or even outplay your opponent and still come away with a draw or a loss. I'm sure that's true for matches Wheaton Warrenville South has played in, just as it is true for us. There will be a lot of talent on both sides of the field in tomorrow's match, the result will likely come down to who can capitalize best on their chances.”
Callipari said he’s counting on his upperclassmen to be key players in the vital road match.
“Our seniors forwards, Jason Weisheit and Gabe Waszak, will need to contribute consistently throughout the match,” he said. “Juniors Gael Alfara and Chase Kedzior will need to secure the midfield and contribute in our transitional play going forward.
“Defensively, we'll rely on the communication and understanding of senior defender Brian Tunney and junior defender Nikhil Bawa. We’re looking forward to a terrific match with a lot at stake.”
Lake Park, the no. 12 seed in the Class 3A Addison Trail Sectional, starts the postseason against Elk Grove at West Chicago on Oct. 20.
Crosby said the program recognized nine seniors Saturday against Bartlett, including key leaders and captains, Edgar Villagran, Frankie Caira and Raim Ramani.
The coach thinks a busy schedule season helped contribute the team’s woes. Crosby said the Lancers have played three games every week, including in two tournaments.
“In the last two weeks we haven't gotten the results we wanted. Some of it could be chalked up to a long season and heavy legs,” he said. “The good news is in our last two matches we showed more promising attack in a 3-2 win against conference opponent Batavia and a 0-0 draw against Bartlett on Saturday for our first shutout of the season.
“There are definitely some positives to take away from our recent play.”