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GLENBARD WEST HILLTOPPERS |
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Hilltoppers play well in season-opening loss By Gary Larsen
On the new artificial pitch of Glenbard West’s Memorial Field, Wheaton North and the host Hilltoppers squared off in a well-played game from start to finish. Wheaton North stayed unbeaten in three games with its 2-1 victory, while Glenbard West played well in its season-opener in Glen Ellyn. “We have to be happy because Glenbard West is obviously a good team,” Wheaton North senior Kate Wiegman said. “They played really physical but we held our own, and we’ve shown an ability to step up in the second half.” Sidney Sharkey did what she does best twice in the contest, breaking free on the dribble up the right side and sending in crosses that resulted in teammate Wiegman’s fifth and sixth goals of the season. The Sharkey-Wiegman tandem struck first to tie the game just before halftime, with Wiegman lightly heading Sharkey’s serve past a Hilltoppers’ defender and goalkeeper. Sharkey raced to open space again in the 62nd minute and sent a ball to the far post, where Wiegman converged on it along with four West players and muscled it into net for the game-winner. This year’s Falcons have speed on the counter, and they intend to use it. “I told Annie (Denz) and Tiffany (Traxinger) at central midfield that today they’d have to think defense first,” Falcons coach Tim McEvilly said. “They did, and what they were able to do was find their targets. Linnae (Giuliano), Kate (Wiegman), Sharkey, (Ashley) Oltman – when you find them, you’re two or three passes from a goal, because those players can get behind anybody.” “We just have to be organized and strong defensively, and be quick to counter and attack.” Glenbard West grabbed a 1-0 lead when Katie Watt scored mid-way through the first half. Watt and fellow captain Molly Abromitis were a formidable tandem throughout the first 40 minutes. “Abromitis and Watt – those two kids can play, and they play in conjunction with each other very well, and they’re both extraordinarily physical players,” McEvilly said. “Their kids don’t back down from anybody, and all it takes is two or three kids to be busters like that, and then when they win a ball they have the creativity to make something happen.” “Glenbard West is going to be a good team this year.” Hilltoppers coach Maciek Kusmierz has a veteran team on his hands that worked for each other off the ball, played to feet, and played with an edge throughout. “We have a group of talented players,” Kusmierz said. “Besides their skill and ability to play, for the first time we were able to prepare for this season. We spent three weeks practicing outdoors on the field turf. In the past we had to deal with space issues, and practicing indoors. “I was pleased with their performance today and it was entertaining to watch. But it’s a tough game to lose, especially when you feel like you held the other team to a handful of chances. But sometimes that’s the way it goes. That’s soccer.” A Wheaton North defense that has only given up two goals in three games started freshman Emily Barry in net, along with the back line of Natalie Waterman, Madie Fagan, Lauren Szumski, and Sarah Weatherred. “From the first game I think we’ve improved a ton,” Waterman said. “We struggled a little bit defensively in our first game (a 9-1 win over Willowbrook) against a team that wasn’t up to this playing level. We’ve been working a lot harder and physically we just need to get stronger.” McEvilly was pleased with the way his side handled the Hilltoppers’ physical intensity. “On the back line I thought Madie Fagan played outstanding outside,” he said. “She had Watt on her a lot and she stepped to lots of balls. And I thought Natalie Waterman played a good game at center defense. "We have a ways to go in regards to the physical nature of play and just being stronger on the ball. It’s still playing clean soccer but you’ve got to be ready for those challenges. You have to expect those challenges and be the one initiating the contact rather than being the victim of it.” After Wiegman gave Wheaton North its 2-1 lead, the Hilltoppers chased a tying goal hard to the final buzzer. Larken Henkel hit a good shot that Barry saved at the post in the 67th minute, and Barry stopped a Maddie Nelson head shot three minutes later. Abromitis blasted a ball just over the crossbar a minute later in West’s final bid for a tying goal. “Especially in the second half when we were down, we definitely stepped up,” Abromitis said. “We were on their end a lot and that was great to see.” “I feel bad for the girls because of the amount of effort and desire and quality that they put into today’s game,” Kusmierz said. “They didn’t deserve to lose this game.” Despite the loss, the Hilltoppers’ coach was impressed with the Day One effort his girls put forth against Wheaton North.
The Hilltoppers return a lot of varsity experience to the fold in 2011 and are aiming to use that experience to improve on last year’s 8-8-1 overall record. “It helps that we’ve played together before,” Abromitis said. “Almost our whole lineup is returning and that definitely helps. I thought we played really well, especially for our first game. We didn’t really know what to expect. Wheaton North came out and played well but I thought we matched up really well. We’ll learn from our mistakes and we’re only going to get better.” GLENBARD WEST 2011 PREVIEW Top returing players: Last season: 8-8-1 overall, 1-5 in West Suburban Silver play Team outlook: Coach Maciek Kuzmierz: What are your expectations for the team? “To rely on the team’s experience while improving performance, especially when facing tough competition. The team consists of thirteen returning varsity players and five newcomers. Many returning players continued to improve their game at their club levels throughout the year, and participated in the high school indoor soccer league during the winter months.” What are the strengths of the team? “Many of our returning varsity players return with three years of experience at this level of play, which will play a vital role in the team’s performance.” What are some goals for the upcoming season? “To improve our conference standings from last year and advance deep into the playoffs.” |
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More evidence arose on Monday that if you’re on a soccer team that is able to practice on an artificial surface in the weather-challenged preseason, you can play some pretty good soccer right out of the gate.
“Lauren Davis gives us a nice outside option, along with Maddie Nelson, and Abby Ohrnstein on the opposite side. And I thought Larkin Henkel was very composed at sweeper today. I’m very pleased with the quality of the squad this year.”