Westminster, Wave have high hopes for regional
Westminster Christian will take the No. 2 seed into battle this postseason as it plays host to Elgin Academy, St. Edward, North Boone, Genoa-Kingston and Harvard in the Class A Westminster Christian regional slated to kick off next Wednesday.
With just three seniors aboard, the Warriors have had their ups and downs en route to a current 9-7-1 overall record. However, it may be those very struggles that lift them past opponents when it matters most.
"The key is to concentrate on one game in the postseason," said coach Mike Richardson. "Anything can happen."
Westminster Christian is scheduled to face the winner of Wednesday's matchup between North Boone (No. 6 seed) and the No. 3 seeded Genoa-Kingston on Saturday, October 18 at 1:30 p.m.
Should Genoa win, the Warriors may just be at an advantage as they close the regular season against the Cogs on October 11.
"Should we face Genoa-Kingston in the opening round, it will be nice to have an idea of what they're about," said Richardson. "In the end, you still have to beat the top two teams to advance."
Recent adjustments have the Warriors playing some of their best soccer yet as they've won four of their last seven matches.
Senior Dan Graves has moved to the back, while Ryan Beachler has found his home in the midfield. Josh Beachler has become a key player up top.
"Each of these guys have really stepped it up for us lately which is great to see," Richardson said.
"What I'm most pleased with is this team's ability to change their approach with each opponent. Both individually and as a whole, this group has absorbed information well, and they have shown that they can make adjustments successfully."
As the postseason gets under way, Richardson will look for consistency above all. Playing at home should only help the Warrior approach.
"It's always nice to play at home," said Richardson. "A nice crowd gets these guys up for games, and not having to travel is always a plus."
Not having to travel could just benefit area opponents St. Edward and Elgin Academy equally. The two are slated to face one another next Wednesday at 4 p.m. in the regional opener.
Practically neighbors, St. Edward (No. 4 seed) recently faced the Hilltoppers earning a 7-2 victory against them on October 4.
Senior Miguel Martinez was a big factor posting a hat trick in the win and has been a big offensive threat for the Green Wave (5-12-2) all season. Clayton Pfeiffer could also be a danger to the Hilltopper defense as well as newcomer Ryan Frank, who scored twice in the recent matchup.
"We might have caught Elgin Academy a little down, but I really like the way we are playing right now," said St. Edward coach Tim Brieger. "We have found something that works and we're really jelling right now."
According to Brieger, his senior class has really stepped it up as of late which is something that is spreading through the lineup at a good time.
John Currie and Lucas Belcher have solidified things in the back, with Pfeiffer and Luke McCullagh in the middle and Ian Koller and Martinez up top.
"Our younger guys are really starting to feed of this senior group," Brieger said. "The guys are all excited and we're ready to see what we can do."
"It will be a very tough game," said Hilltopper coach Aurelio Castillo. "We don't have a lot of experience and we are loaded with underclassman."
At 2-7 overall, Elgin Academy has seen a ton of positives this season despite the obstacles of inexperience and youth.
Jonathan Bussano has put the ball in the back of the net a number of times as has Adam Neuman. Chris Kokkelenberg, Evan Mara, Chris Theadorou and Nick Garcia have each done a nice job maintaining the midfield and defensive roles.
"The most important thing for us this year was to see progress which we have," said Castillo. "We've seen a lot of improvements and there is certainly a bright future for the Elgin Academy program. Should it start in the postseason, that would be great."
The winner of the St. Edward-Elgin Academy contest will face the No. 1 seed in Harvard on October 18 at 11 a.m.
"I think Harvard and Westminster will be the class of this regional," said Brieger. "Westminster was one of the most complete teams we've faced all year."