Deerfield builds toward notoriety
it seeks with huge upset of Morton
By Patrick Z. McGavin
BERWYN -- The seconds wound down and Morton turned up the jets. A throw-in to lanky forward Steven Tovar ended with his header that Deerfield keeper Zach Zusman recovered and punted high and far.
Then the surreal celebration began.
The Warriors' stunning 1-0 quarterfinal victory over top-seeded and defending tournament champion Morton secured a semifinal berth for a Warriors' program eager to assert its own value. Reaching the tournament's final four is a significant achievement in itself.
But the No. 16 Warriors are not satisfied. Teams are allowed to play two in-season tournaments. The Warriors' only loss came against Waukegan 1-0 in the championship of the Lake Forest tournament.
These tournament are not just prestigious to be involved, they are excellent measuring tools for the season. They give teams a chance to play against different competition and see different styles of play that becomes an invaluable learning tool the further the Warriors move into the season. Tournaments also better approximate late-season intensity and purpose.
It just means something extra.
"That's why this game was so important to us," Zusman said, "after the way we lost against Waukegan late in the game in our other tournament. We really wanted to bounce back in a good way, and it paid off."
Deerfield (7-1-1) advances to the semifinal round against the winner of the St. Charles North and Lyons game that was suspended by weather. The Warriors have already roiled this year's edition of the tournament. Not since eventual winner Lane, as a 10th-seed, has a ninth-seed like the Warriors reached this deep into the championship bracket.
Little has gone according to formula. Deerfield needed to survive Oswego on penalty kicks in the opening round play last Saturday at Lyons. The offense awoke with the impressive 3-0 victory over West Chicago in second round action.
Deerfield has combined advantageous offense with stellar defense. Zusman has recorded three-consecutive shutouts. Intangibles take on greater importance with each game as scoring opportunities diminish and teams look to capitalize on mistakes.
The deeper story is about the resurrection of a program. Two years ago Hurtig took a one-year sabbatical after he received a Fulbright Fellowship to study abroad. He spent a year in the Czech Republic. He returned to the program last year. His value is the difference, according to the players.
"Our coach has really been the difference, in this tournament and the whole season so far," defender Evan Gerke said. "He's really pushing us a lot, not just in games but also in practice and it has been showing on the field."
Star midfielder Nick Klabjan is the centerpiece, the player around whom much of the action revolves. His penalty kick goal in the 31st minute was the difference against Morton. Hurtig is quick to acknowledge the contributions of others.
He is especially high on the play of defender Levi Goldstein. His velcro-like ability to shadow top players and counter their play with aggressive tackling and a ferocious tenacity has been a critical factor in the team's play in the PepsiCo Showdown.
The best teams personify the drive and teachings of their coach. Deerfield is no different according to Goldstein.
"We have a lot of grit," he said after the Morton game. "Our coach prepares us very well in the back, and we were ready to play against what we knew was a great team."
The near upset against Oswego in first round play had the calming influence of centering the team. Realizing the narrow margin between success and failure, the team rallied around each other and sought out greater communication, Zusman said.
"Our whole approach in this tournament is to do what we've been doing, that is communicate on and off the field and stay aggressive and confident in how we play out there," he said.
In knocking off the no. 1-seed, Deerfield changed the tournament and elevated its profile.
"This whole year I think we have played pretty consistently," Goldstein said. "I think we know what our ability is and what we can achieve. Knowing that from the beginning helps us stay consistent throughout the game."
it seeks with huge upset of Morton
By Patrick Z. McGavin
BERWYN -- The seconds wound down and Morton turned up the jets. A throw-in to lanky forward Steven Tovar ended with his header that Deerfield keeper Zach Zusman recovered and punted high and far.
Then the surreal celebration began.
The Warriors' stunning 1-0 quarterfinal victory over top-seeded and defending tournament champion Morton secured a semifinal berth for a Warriors' program eager to assert its own value. Reaching the tournament's final four is a significant achievement in itself.
But the No. 16 Warriors are not satisfied. Teams are allowed to play two in-season tournaments. The Warriors' only loss came against Waukegan 1-0 in the championship of the Lake Forest tournament.
These tournament are not just prestigious to be involved, they are excellent measuring tools for the season. They give teams a chance to play against different competition and see different styles of play that becomes an invaluable learning tool the further the Warriors move into the season. Tournaments also better approximate late-season intensity and purpose.
It just means something extra.
"That's why this game was so important to us," Zusman said, "after the way we lost against Waukegan late in the game in our other tournament. We really wanted to bounce back in a good way, and it paid off."
Deerfield (7-1-1) advances to the semifinal round against the winner of the St. Charles North and Lyons game that was suspended by weather. The Warriors have already roiled this year's edition of the tournament. Not since eventual winner Lane, as a 10th-seed, has a ninth-seed like the Warriors reached this deep into the championship bracket.
Little has gone according to formula. Deerfield needed to survive Oswego on penalty kicks in the opening round play last Saturday at Lyons. The offense awoke with the impressive 3-0 victory over West Chicago in second round action.
Deerfield has combined advantageous offense with stellar defense. Zusman has recorded three-consecutive shutouts. Intangibles take on greater importance with each game as scoring opportunities diminish and teams look to capitalize on mistakes.
The deeper story is about the resurrection of a program. Two years ago Hurtig took a one-year sabbatical after he received a Fulbright Fellowship to study abroad. He spent a year in the Czech Republic. He returned to the program last year. His value is the difference, according to the players.
"Our coach has really been the difference, in this tournament and the whole season so far," defender Evan Gerke said. "He's really pushing us a lot, not just in games but also in practice and it has been showing on the field."
Star midfielder Nick Klabjan is the centerpiece, the player around whom much of the action revolves. His penalty kick goal in the 31st minute was the difference against Morton. Hurtig is quick to acknowledge the contributions of others.
He is especially high on the play of defender Levi Goldstein. His velcro-like ability to shadow top players and counter their play with aggressive tackling and a ferocious tenacity has been a critical factor in the team's play in the PepsiCo Showdown.
The best teams personify the drive and teachings of their coach. Deerfield is no different according to Goldstein.
"We have a lot of grit," he said after the Morton game. "Our coach prepares us very well in the back, and we were ready to play against what we knew was a great team."
The near upset against Oswego in first round play had the calming influence of centering the team. Realizing the narrow margin between success and failure, the team rallied around each other and sought out greater communication, Zusman said.
"Our whole approach in this tournament is to do what we've been doing, that is communicate on and off the field and stay aggressive and confident in how we play out there," he said.
In knocking off the no. 1-seed, Deerfield changed the tournament and elevated its profile.
"This whole year I think we have played pretty consistently," Goldstein said. "I think we know what our ability is and what we can achieve. Knowing that from the beginning helps us stay consistent throughout the game."