Hornets drop 2-0 loss at Hinsdale Central
By Matt Le Cren
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After watching his team get shut out in its first three matches, Hinsdale Central coach Mike Wiggins changed his formation to a 3-5-2.
The move to use one more midfielder and one less defender has paid off as the Red Devils have scored eight goals in their last three matches, securing two wins and a tie in those outings.
Two of the goals were scored Saturday by senior midfielder Phillip Gutman, who accounted for all of the scoring in host Hinsdale Central’s 2-0 victory over local rival Hinsdale South in the third place match of the Red Devil Cup.
“I think [the key] is our new formation that gives us more players in the midfield,” Gutman said. “The 3-5-2 really makes it easy to find the open man and just pass it and get those open lanes to run onto.”
The Red Devils (2-2-2) dominated the midfield and controlled much of the action against the Hornets (1-4), who tried to throw the hosts off their stride by using an offside trap.
The trap caught the Red Devils several times in the early going but Gutman figured it out to score the first goal with 32:06 left in the first half. He was in offside position when teammate Jack Niestrom received a long ball in the box but got back just before Niestrom headed the ball forward.
Gutman then headed it over the head of Hinsdale South goalie Jose Moreno a split second before the two collided at the six-yard line.
Though they threatened numerous times, the Red Devils were unable to extend their cushion until 16:23 remained in the second half, when Gutman again found the back of the net. This time it came on a rebound after a Hornet defender blocked a shot off the goal line in traffic.
Christian Meyer, the author of several dangerous runs into the box, triggered that play when he dribbled to the end line on the left side of the box before rolling a cross in front.
“We just kept going at them,” Gutman said. “I know we were offside a couple times but we just kept pressuring and pressuring them and they just finally broke down.”
The goals were the first two scored this season by Gutman, who promises more are to come. While unhappy to have to settle for third place in their own tournament, the win over Hinsdale South was something for the Red Devils to celebrate. The Hornets had upset Hinsdale Central 2-1 in their last meeting, nearly two years ago to the day.
“It feels great because the last time we played them was when I was a sophomore and we lost to them in this Cup and it doesn’t sit well with me,” Gutman said. “So I’m pretty happy that we got them back this year.”
Mitchell Meyer made two saves to record the shutout for Hinsdale Central, but he didn’t have much work to do thanks to defenders Ryan Schwarz, Evan Floersch and Ryan Melloni, who allowed the Hornets to muster only six shots.
“In the beginning part of the season before we go into conference we’re trying to see what works and sometimes our identity changes game to game, but we’re trying to get some consistency and I don’t think we’re there yet,” Hinsdale South coach James VanDenburgh said. “We couldn’t connect passes. I don’t know if the weather had anything to do with it, but I would say that Hinsdale Central played a good game. My hat’s off to them.”
But the Hornets were not without bright spots on the rainy day.
Moreno, a junior making just his second varsity start, was terrific in the wet conditions, making six saves and consistently taking charge in the box.
“He stepped up big,” VanDenburgh said. “[Regular starter] Grant Morford is away so he stepped in as the starter and was very impressive, especially with the weather and the shots and how many opportunities they had on goal. I think he did a great job.”
Morford, a senior, and Moreno are both in their first year at the varsity level. Both will see time this fall and Moreno is in line to be the starter next year.
“I think Moreno’s biggest asset is his passion for soccer,” VanDenburgh said. “He loves the game and he’s going to continue to develop and he’s going to be the full-time starter next year without a doubt.
“But I think he’s still getting better. Today he came off the line and did well there, but he can still always get better.”
“My personal goal for today was to prove myself,” Moreno said. “I think Coach said I’m not the usual starter and the other goalie is older, so I just had to prove myself and keep calm, just know that all my practices served me well.”
In a sign of the confidence VanDenburgh has in his goalie, the Hornets are experimenting with the offside trap, a risky strategy that puts a lot of pressure on the goalie. The back line of seniors Kenny Ida and Jordan Wood, junior Giancarlo Cianelli and sophomore Lucas Carlson are still getting used to it.
“We’re experimenting with that and learning and we’ve still got some younger players that are trying to figure things out,” VanDenburgh said. “I think we got burned a few times and they could have put two or three more in, but that’s the risk you take when you play that trap.”
The risk for goalies playing behind a trap is they can end up facing a lot of breakaways, but Moreno doesn’t mind having that responsibility.
“I really actually do enjoy that pressure because it kind of puts you in the spotlight,” Moreno said. “I see it as the ultimate test of character. Either you save the team or it’s all your fault, but I kind of like that. It shows braveness sometimes to go out there because if you make the right plays you’re the hero.”
Though the Hornets know there is plenty of room for improvement, they are encouraged by their performance of late. After getting routed by their first three opponents, the Hornets have played better in the last two matches, including a 4-1 victory over Brother Rice on Wednesday.
“That was a very good game for us,” VanDenburgh said. “It was a team victory and they were so hungry. I want to get them [hungrier].”
“Everything is a work in progress but every game gets better,” Moreno said. “I think it does help that all our players play club soccer because that prepares them. Also our coaches do a great job just getting us ready in the preseason, just building us up and making sure we have the right conditioning in training.”
