Mustangs’ identity now
defined by spirit, work ethic
By Steve Nemeth
For the past five seasons, Metea Valley’s identity was all too often prefaced by historical firsts.
Since debuting as a varsity squad in 2010, there was the first win over certain opponents, the first post-season win, regional title, and sectional final showing, plus the initial conference championship, etc.
But the 9-11-2 record for 2014 is the year Metea Valley established an identity based on a truly competitive work ethic.
“We fought, and we fought hard," said coach Josh Robinson. "We didn’t always get the result we wanted and eight shutouts (0-6-2) may not sound too impressive, but this was the least amount of goals we given up and that means opponents had to earn their win."
The 29 goals yielded weren’t much above the 25 scored. While the Mustangs had a trio of one-goal victories, half of their six one-goal losses occurred during the last seven games (2-4-1).
It’s the reason why veteran Neuqua Valley coach Skip Begley’s post-match summary – “We found a way to move on” – was followed by compliments. “Their goalie (Joey Coryell) played exceptionally well for them. He had some big saves … their big kid in back (Brandon Howard) is a strong player.”
Those impressions reinforced the gritty and dangerous task it became to play Metea Valley. And it’s why those departing, and especially those returning, are optimistic about 2015.
“When I said I played for Metea, outside of the school, people would ask ‘Who’s that?’ So our first desire was to be up there with a Waubonsie, Neuqua and have respect in an area known for soccer,” senior defender Jake Celinski explained. “Our class and the class above us had a chemistry from playing together through the tough times.
“But the real key was our coaches always knowing which young players to bring up and make part of the mix. The coaches used us being the first to achieve something as an extra motivation, but that was on top of playing hard and playing smart.
“My sophomore year, my close friend (football player) Devin (Meadows) was in a tragic car accident. It was a tough time, but the coaches, my teammates, and battling to get to the sectional final carried me through.”
Senior Dakota Rowsey also credited the coaching staff with putting a system in place that can always build upon its success.
“It all starts with the coaches getting the best out of each team," he said. "When I first played varsity it was a big learning experience, sometimes a little intimidating.
“But the older players got the younger guys involved, got them to learn and to step up. We beat West Chicago for the regional title, a great (Wheaton Warrenville) South team in the sectional. We got fans coming out, and we learned anything was possible.
“Winning a conference championship the next year might have been our first, but we already believed it was something we were capable of. The coaches kept us focused and motivated, each game was just as important as the next one."
All of which is understandably music to Robinson’s ears.
“I do believe one key is always what the seniors do for the younger guys. This season tested us and from an effort standpoint, this became a great group of kids,” Robinson said.
After a season-opening road loss, the Mustangs ran off five-straight wins with four shutouts. Unfortunately the next stretch produced just one victory over seven games, including two contests in which Metea Valley yielded four goals.
“There were moments that could have produced the kind of weakness that ruins a team. They fought through it,” Robinson noted. “A ton of credit goes to our seniors. We had four returning seniors -- Jake, Dakota, Brian (Diebold) and Jimmy (Wyma) – and four new seniors (Jonathan Ramos, Matt Stigler, Evan Jaramillo, and Daniel Stewart). Their leadership was extremely important to all the sophomores and juniors. In turn, those kids worked harder for the seniors.
“While the tone was set a couple years back when getting to the sectional final proved anything can happen, this group is the one demonstrating the need to maintain focus and to be more consistent,” Robinson said. “Going forward they’ve shown how it all has to come together. The little things that determine a win instead of a tie, a tie instead of a loss, all of which can add up to a better (play-off) seed.”
Just as Begley identified Coryell and Howard as standouts from Metea’s finale, Robinson mentions those two along with Michael Adams and Ryan Donovan as the nucleus to 2015 success.
“Brandon is one of the best defenders in the state,” Robinson said. “He may have missed like five minutes. His leadership, the consistent way he plays and then couple him with Ryan Donovan, that’s a great combination.”
The two earned Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association All-Section 3 status and were joined by fellow junior Michael Adams and Rowsey as All-Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division standouts. While Metea Valley shifts to the DuPage Valley Conference, it’s notable that the Mustangs were the only team from either division in the UEC to more than one underclassman recognized.
“Michael reminds me of (Neuqua Valley senior standout Ryan) Ross. I believe Michael can explode like Ryan and become a prolific goal scorer. I know he is certainly one of the most coachable kids I’ve ever had,” Robinson said.
Coryell’s all-around athletic ability meant Robinson had to wrestle with leaving him in net versus using him to spark field play. Every coach values any player who is always willing to sacrifice for the good of the team.
Expectations are also high for another trio of Mustangs that became part of the starting line-up by season’s end.
“Max (Graf) moved up to varsity at midseason in 2013 as a freshman. He developed into a talented regional player with his club and his work rate is phenomenal,” Robinson said. “Michael (Lothridge) and Dominic (Duffy) came up this year from the JV1 unit and became starters. They’ve made the adjustment to this level so next year they’ll be juniors capable of playing like seniors.”
Which also means they’ll be teaching and leading those younger than them, obviously continuing the next-man-up philosophy that has come to represent Metea Valley’s competitive quality.
Or as Howard put it: “The foundation has been set, from now on Metea will just continue rising.”
defined by spirit, work ethic
By Steve Nemeth
For the past five seasons, Metea Valley’s identity was all too often prefaced by historical firsts.
Since debuting as a varsity squad in 2010, there was the first win over certain opponents, the first post-season win, regional title, and sectional final showing, plus the initial conference championship, etc.
But the 9-11-2 record for 2014 is the year Metea Valley established an identity based on a truly competitive work ethic.
“We fought, and we fought hard," said coach Josh Robinson. "We didn’t always get the result we wanted and eight shutouts (0-6-2) may not sound too impressive, but this was the least amount of goals we given up and that means opponents had to earn their win."
The 29 goals yielded weren’t much above the 25 scored. While the Mustangs had a trio of one-goal victories, half of their six one-goal losses occurred during the last seven games (2-4-1).
It’s the reason why veteran Neuqua Valley coach Skip Begley’s post-match summary – “We found a way to move on” – was followed by compliments. “Their goalie (Joey Coryell) played exceptionally well for them. He had some big saves … their big kid in back (Brandon Howard) is a strong player.”
Those impressions reinforced the gritty and dangerous task it became to play Metea Valley. And it’s why those departing, and especially those returning, are optimistic about 2015.
“When I said I played for Metea, outside of the school, people would ask ‘Who’s that?’ So our first desire was to be up there with a Waubonsie, Neuqua and have respect in an area known for soccer,” senior defender Jake Celinski explained. “Our class and the class above us had a chemistry from playing together through the tough times.
“But the real key was our coaches always knowing which young players to bring up and make part of the mix. The coaches used us being the first to achieve something as an extra motivation, but that was on top of playing hard and playing smart.
“My sophomore year, my close friend (football player) Devin (Meadows) was in a tragic car accident. It was a tough time, but the coaches, my teammates, and battling to get to the sectional final carried me through.”
Senior Dakota Rowsey also credited the coaching staff with putting a system in place that can always build upon its success.
“It all starts with the coaches getting the best out of each team," he said. "When I first played varsity it was a big learning experience, sometimes a little intimidating.
“But the older players got the younger guys involved, got them to learn and to step up. We beat West Chicago for the regional title, a great (Wheaton Warrenville) South team in the sectional. We got fans coming out, and we learned anything was possible.
“Winning a conference championship the next year might have been our first, but we already believed it was something we were capable of. The coaches kept us focused and motivated, each game was just as important as the next one."
All of which is understandably music to Robinson’s ears.
“I do believe one key is always what the seniors do for the younger guys. This season tested us and from an effort standpoint, this became a great group of kids,” Robinson said.
After a season-opening road loss, the Mustangs ran off five-straight wins with four shutouts. Unfortunately the next stretch produced just one victory over seven games, including two contests in which Metea Valley yielded four goals.
“There were moments that could have produced the kind of weakness that ruins a team. They fought through it,” Robinson noted. “A ton of credit goes to our seniors. We had four returning seniors -- Jake, Dakota, Brian (Diebold) and Jimmy (Wyma) – and four new seniors (Jonathan Ramos, Matt Stigler, Evan Jaramillo, and Daniel Stewart). Their leadership was extremely important to all the sophomores and juniors. In turn, those kids worked harder for the seniors.
“While the tone was set a couple years back when getting to the sectional final proved anything can happen, this group is the one demonstrating the need to maintain focus and to be more consistent,” Robinson said. “Going forward they’ve shown how it all has to come together. The little things that determine a win instead of a tie, a tie instead of a loss, all of which can add up to a better (play-off) seed.”
Just as Begley identified Coryell and Howard as standouts from Metea’s finale, Robinson mentions those two along with Michael Adams and Ryan Donovan as the nucleus to 2015 success.
“Brandon is one of the best defenders in the state,” Robinson said. “He may have missed like five minutes. His leadership, the consistent way he plays and then couple him with Ryan Donovan, that’s a great combination.”
The two earned Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association All-Section 3 status and were joined by fellow junior Michael Adams and Rowsey as All-Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division standouts. While Metea Valley shifts to the DuPage Valley Conference, it’s notable that the Mustangs were the only team from either division in the UEC to more than one underclassman recognized.
“Michael reminds me of (Neuqua Valley senior standout Ryan) Ross. I believe Michael can explode like Ryan and become a prolific goal scorer. I know he is certainly one of the most coachable kids I’ve ever had,” Robinson said.
Coryell’s all-around athletic ability meant Robinson had to wrestle with leaving him in net versus using him to spark field play. Every coach values any player who is always willing to sacrifice for the good of the team.
Expectations are also high for another trio of Mustangs that became part of the starting line-up by season’s end.
“Max (Graf) moved up to varsity at midseason in 2013 as a freshman. He developed into a talented regional player with his club and his work rate is phenomenal,” Robinson said. “Michael (Lothridge) and Dominic (Duffy) came up this year from the JV1 unit and became starters. They’ve made the adjustment to this level so next year they’ll be juniors capable of playing like seniors.”
Which also means they’ll be teaching and leading those younger than them, obviously continuing the next-man-up philosophy that has come to represent Metea Valley’s competitive quality.
Or as Howard put it: “The foundation has been set, from now on Metea will just continue rising.”