Panthers overcome adversity to capture SPC opener

By Curt Herron

Even though things started well for Oswego in Tuesday's Southwest Prairie Conference opener, they hit a big road bump midway through the match.

That's because the Panthers were up 2-0 when they got a questionable red card shortly before halftime of their contest at Plainfield North.

Being down a man for the final 40 minutes against a good team on the road is usually a very bad sign, and such was the case for Oswego.

But rather than panicking about their bad circumstances, the Panthers stepped up to the challenge and performed well after the break.

That was the case on defense, where keeper Luis Gallardo and his teammates did their best to keep the Tigers off of the scoreboard.

Kyle Kearby and Josue Fernandez were joined in the back by Andrew Laning and Ryan Totsch in an effort to keep the hosts from rallying.

Gallardo wasn't threatened often and wound up making four saves to post his second shutout as Oswego captured a 2-0 win in Plainfield.

Coach Travis Carlisle's Panthers (2-5-1) have won two of their last three outings heading into a Saturday match at the Pepsi Showdown.

Click to hear coach Travis Carlisle interview

Oswego has already had to deal with its fair share of adversity after finding out that one of its leaders, Elliot Totsch, hurt his knee.

With senior relegated to the sidelines, other players have had to step up, and if recent matches are any indication, that's happening.

All of which is an encouraging sign for a young squad that has nearly as many sophomores and freshmen as it does seniors and juniors.

One of those senior leaders is midfielder Nathan Kyes, who helped his squad to gain the early advantage over the Tigers (4-4-2, 0-2).

About 10 minutes into the match, Ryan Totsch passed off to Kyes, who was able to score a goal that put the Panthers in front for good.

The visitors appeared to have added to their lead shortly after the midway of the opening half but the referees disallowed the score

Then with 10:44 remaining in the opening half, Kearby sent a pass to Curtis Grysiewicz, who found the net to give Oswego a 2-0 lead.

Even though that's how the score stood at the break, it was anyone's guess as to how the red card scenario would affect the Panthers.

Click to hear Kyle Kearby interview

Oswego quickly demonstrated that even though it was down a man, it would continue to keep the pressure applied against the Tigers' net.

About nine minutes into the new half, Fernando Chavez was stopped on a line drive and a short time later he had a short attempt halted.

Just over 11 minutes in, Grysiewicz looked like he might score again after taking a pass from Mitch Lewis but his shot hit off the post.

North finally began to challenge Gallardo, who came out the net to stop a try by Colin Donnally shortly before the half's midway point.

A short time later, Kearby was denied on a long free kick and North's Alex Abbott sent a free kick into a wall and a rebound was stopped.

With just over 15 minutes remaining in the match, Lewis directed a pass toward Dominic Primbus, who sent an attempt just wide of the net.

The hosts had several good chances in the final 12 minutes, as Donnally sent a liner wide before Danny Torres bounced a shot to Gallardo.

Then with about eight minutes to go, Donnally bounced an attempt off the post and Oved Rodriguez's follow-up header was wide of the mark.

Although focused on defense, Oswego responded with a scare of its own as Casey Kerby was denied on a header following a Chavez free kick.

Click to hear Luis Gallardo interview