Huskies drop WSS home game to Glenbard West
By Dave Miller

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Nathan Hall made sure Glenbard West successfully took the first step toward defending its share of the West Suburban Conference Silver Division title.

The senior scored two goals in the second half to lift the Hilltoppers to a 2-0 conference-opening triumph over host Oak Park and River Forest Tuesday evening.

“It’s a big deal beating OPRF again for the second time in a row,” Hall said.

“I think last year gave us a great boost of confidence, tying for the conference championship,” said Glenbard West coach Maciek Kusmierz, whose team shared the Silver crown with Lyons Township. “We’re aware of the fact that now everybody will not underestimate us this year after the performance of last season. We know we’re going to be in tough games. It’s just a matter of how well we respond.”

The Hilltoppers (4-0, 1-0) responded after putting six shots on goal to OPRF’s two in the first half.

Hall gave the visitors a 1-0 lead in the 54th minute. He muscled through an OPRF defender in front of the left side of the goal and punched the ball into the net.

“I thought I was tripped in the box at first, but then I somehow got through and poked it into the goal,” Hall said.

The insurance score came in the 70th minute. Zack Venzon sent a long pass up the field to Hall, who put a move on a defender in the box and deposited the ball in the left side of the net.
 
“The second goal was all Zach,” Hall said. “He gave me a perfect ball.”

Hall now has six goals on the season.

“One of Nathan’s strengths is he’s a very strong player,” Kusmierz said. “He’s strong on his feet and can handle the physical part of it. I think his perseverance on the first goal made it happen. The second goal was a very nice play. It was a good understanding between Nathan and Venzon – making a run into the space and a great pass splitting the hole, letting Nathan go one on one with the keeper and a great finish with composure.

“That’s what I want from Nate this year. He obviously improved from last year. He’s a good offensive threat.”

OPRF (1-4-1, 0-1) threatened on a number of occasions, but came up empty. Glenbard West goalkeeper Robbie White made six saves and some of the Huskies’ best chances produced off-target shots.

“We created some opportunities, but we’re missing that last finishing touch,” OPRF coach Paul Wright said. “We’re getting crosses in, but nobody’s there. We’re not putting it on frame. It’s frustrating. It was a pretty tight game for a while, but we’ve struggled to score goals the last few weeks. We can’t make any excuses. We’ll just keep chipping away and go from there.”

It was the Huskies’ fourth loss in a row. They’ve allowed 11 goals in those games.

“The last two games before this were bad, but to start conference out with a 2-0 loss is disappointing,” OPRF senior defender Dan Gryzlo said. “I don’t know if there was improvement, but we can definitely build off this, learn from our mistakes and hopefully get better on defense.”

It was Glenbard West’s fourth shutout in as many matches this season. White, a sophomore, has been in net for every minute of each one.

“He’s a very positive guy with a great attitude,” Kusmierz said. “He automatically earned his respect from his teammates by the way he plays during practices and games. Even though he’s only a sophomore, he is not being treated any different than any other player including players who have been on the varsity for four years. I think it’s mainly due to his talent and abilities. He came in and set himself as an important figure on our team. He’s getting adjusted to the varsity level and those kind of games will only make him a better goalkeeper.”

So will strong defenders. Aaron Griffin and Andrew O’Connell were among the Glenbard West defenders who made nice plays around the net down the stretch to help preserve the shutout.

Kusmierz still sees room for improvement, but he sees his defense coming together.

“We’re getting the concept of working collectively as a unit defensively -- knowing when to press the ball, when to hold back, when to cover for each other and when we change positions,” he said. “I think those are the main factors why we’ve been successful.”