Trojans claim big win over Cougars in Lancer Classic

By Curt Herron

When teams play Downers Grove North this season, many will attempt to shut down senior forward Paul Hogan, and rightly so.

But during the first week of the season, the Trojans are showing that they have plenty of other options other than the dangerous Hogan.

That fact was clearly seen again on Saturday when Downers North hosted Conant in a match in Lake Park's Lancer Classic.

While the Cougars were doing their best to limit Hogan, the Trojans were looking to others to provide the offensive highlights.

Hogan did get a goal in the second half, but that came after Azmi Sharif had already scored twice and Alex Vogler also found the net.

Dangerous throw-ins from Zack Parik led to a pair of goals while Stu Melton assisted on another following a well-placed free kick.

The combination of all of those efforts helped the Trojans to capture an easy 4-1 victory over the Cougars at Carstens Field.

Much of that success in goal production is due to the work of midfielders Eric Garcia, A.J. Jeffries, Cullen Cummings and Melton.

In addition to that, Downers North did a good job of shutting down the Conant attack and only had one breakdown which led to a score.

Marcin Modzelewski leads the defensive group, which also consists of Thomas Budnik, Vogler, Parik and keeper Matt Paprocki.

Although there's still plenty of things to work on, Trojans coach Brian Gervase is pleased by what he's seeing from his talented squad.

It's providing him with a lot of encouragement as Downers North prepares for what figures to be a brutal West Suburban Silver schedule.

Click to hear coach Brian Gervase interview

Things started clicking quickly for the Trojans (2-0-1) as they took the lead for good after just 5:45 of playing time had elapsed.

That's when Sharif scored his first goal after he knocked in a loose ball from close range following a throw in from Parik.

About three minutes after that, the senior forward was denied on his next shot attempt by Cougar keeper Bobby Potratz.

A short time later, Conant (1-1-1) began applying some pressure on Paprocki, stopped shots from Shavim Patel and Zach Conrad.

But it was the Trojans who would next find the net, with Sharif again accomplishing the feat with 21:15 left before the break.

Sharif, who leads Downers North is goals during early going, connected again from close range to give the hosts a 2-0 lead.

Click to hear A.J. Jeffries interview

Following a long stretch during which neither squad put a shot on goal, the Cougars threatened again when Bobby Iatomasi was denied.

Conant made things interesting with 5:44 left in the half when Iatomasi put a shot into an open net to pull his team to within a goal.

But Downers North responded to that threat quickly, scoring just 1:24 later to again take a two-goal lead, which they held at halftime.

The Trojans' third goal came with 4:20 left when Melton sent a free kick in front of the net and Vogler was there to head the ball in.

Click to hear Stu Melton interview

Although trailing again by two scores, the Cougars continued to battle for the rest of the first half and had a pair of good chances.

Hugo Gonzalez sent a grounder that Paprocki had to dive for and Iatomasi was denied to assure the Trojans of a 3-1 halftime lead.

Things didn't remain that way for long, however, as Hogan finally broke free and scored just 4:11 into the final half of play.

The score was set up by another throw in from Parik, who directed a great pass right in front of the net that Hogan tapped in.

Downers North has another busy schedule in the upcoming week, featuring three more matches in the Lancer Classic.

The Trojans play at Niles West on Tuesday, meet Glenbard East at Streamwood on Thursday and square off against Buffalo Grove at Lake Park on Saturday.