Panthers keep battling despite facing early adversity

By Curt Herron

It's been a rough start to the season for Oswego with a key injury affecting the development of a young team.

But despite that, the Panthers have also displayed a resiliency thus far that figures to bode well for them.

Although Oswego is 1-5-1 through Monday's 2-1 home loss to Batavia, there have been encouraging signs.

Most notable for coach Travis Carlisle's squad was Saturday's match against Loyola Academy in the Pepsi Showdown.

The Panthers rallied twice to capture a 3-2 victory over the Ramblers to capture their first win of the year.

Curtis Grysiewicz, Max Calderon and senior Fernando Chavez all scored goals for Oswego against Loyola.

That showing came on the heels of a shootout loss to West Chicago and good battle with Lyons Township last week.

Click to hear coach Travis Carlisle interview

Things started out pretty well this season for Oswego, which tied talented Geneva in its opening match.

Following a close defeat at Naperville Central, the Panthers suffered a disappointing loss to West Aurora.

A short time later, the bad news came that one of their senior captains, Elliot Totsch, had injured his knee.

That's forced the lineup to be rearranged with keeper Ryan Totsch moving into the midfield to join senior Nathan Kyes.

Luis Gallardo assumes regular duties in goal, where he'll be aided by senior defenders Kyle Kearby and Collin Stransky.

Other seniors on the squad, which features five juniors, eight sophomores and a freshman, are Adam Udy and Eddie Duran.

Oswego now sets its focus on Southwest Prairie Conference play, which begins tonight with a match at Plainfield North.

Click to hear Nathan Kyes interview

In Monday's match, Dominic Primbus assisted Calderon for a goal late in the first half to force a 1-1 tie.

But the Bulldogs got a score from Cody Balogh off an assist from earlier goal-scorer Peter O'Brien to claim a 2-1 win.

Other juniors on the the Panthers' squad beside Calderon are Dan Nagel, Casey Kerby, Josue Fernandez and Luis Abrego.

Sophomores beside Totsch, Primbus, Grysiewicz and Gallardo are Jeremy Wine, Mitch Lewis, Andrew Laning and Felipe Duran.

Mitch Wilson is the lone freshman on the squad, which concludes play in the Pepsi Showdown on Saturday in LaGrange.