Willowbrook shuts out Glenbard West in shortened game
The Willowbrook boys soccer team's 2-0 win over host Glenbard West on Thursday night is yet another payoff from previous seasons of players trying to fine-tune their game.
The victory pushed the Warriors to 8-1 overall.
"A lot of these players have played three years together. This is a culmination. We've been successful, but we're keeping everything in focus," said Willowbrook coach Peter Ginter.
Ginter said that a key to the Warriors' offense being effective is how the defense can create scoring chances.
"We've been working on scoring goals from the counterattack. We are a quick team with fast runners," he said.
Willowbrook put steady pressure on Glenbard West (4-5) from the start, but neither team's offense got close to a net. That changed with just more than 24 minutes left in the first half when Benny Heredia hit Saul Hernandez with a cross. Hilltoppers goalkeeper Alex Ruckstaetter came out and made a skillful deflection off his hand.
About eight minutes later Willowbrook's Aaron Johnson got on a breakaway and put the ball in the opposite side of the net to make it 1-0.
He scored the other goal with 10:32 left before halftime on a high 25-yard shot. Johnson said defense but also team chemistry have been crucial to the Warriors' success so far.
"We all get along on and off the field and we hang out off the field," he said. "We know our defense can pass, play possession and dribble and create scoring opportunities."
Hernandez leads the team with 14 goals. Johnson has 9.
Glenbard West generated its best offense in the second half. It's top scoring chance started as a corner kick from Danny Zeboski. The ball found Jorge Garcia right in front of the Willowbrook net, but Warriors goalkeeper Zach Boehm grabbed it.
The Hilltoppers are struggling offensively of late. Coach Maciej Kusmierz said it comes down to finishing scoring opportunities.
"We had at least a half-dozen chances against Hinsdale Central on Tuesday. But we're struggling in that department. We'll keep working at it," he said.
Lightning was detected near Memorial Park at about 8:20 p.m. and the contest was stopped with 16:10 left to play. The game eventually was called due to the weather.