Trojans blank Maine South to claim eighth straight win

By Curt Herron

Downers Grove North completed pool play with a 3-0 mark at Saturday's Pepsi Showdown in LaGrange after capturing a 2-0 win over Maine South.

The Trojans (8-0-1) won their eighth straight match and now move on to Thursday's 4:30 p.m. quarterfinals at the same site against Lyons Township.

That match comes just two days after the Lions travel to Downers Grove for a West Suburban Conference Silver Division clash with the Trojans.

With some of his top defenders unavailable due to ACT testing, coach Brian Gervase had to put together a different back line against the Hawks.

Jakob Mousel moved back from the midfield while Kevin Christman and Krzysztof Sitarz stepped up to join Alex Vogler in the makeshift defense.

Click to hear coach Brian Gervase interview

Although the Trojans had several good scoring opportunities throughout the opening half, they had little to show for it as the break approached

A.J. Jeffries scored with 1:14 remaining in the first half, thanks to assists from Will Stephens and Konstantin Bohm, to give the Trojans a 1-0 lead.

While keeper Matt Paprocki faced few threats en route to a shutout, Downers North regularly challenged Maine South's net during the second half.

With 6:23 left in the match, Cullen Cummings fired off a shot from the side that found the opposite corner of the net to give him his first varsity goal.

Click to hear Cullen Cummings interview

Photos courtesy of Lem Parik