Boys soccer: Glenbrook North shuts out Wauconda despite Fink's efforts

Let's play two!

Wauconda junior Austin Fink had played football and soccer in less than 24 hours this weekend. He was a part of the strong effort for Wauconda in a 2-0 defeat to Glenbrook North in a nonconference boys soccer match in Northbrook Saturday afternoon.

Fink also kicked a 26-yard field goal that helped the football team beat Lakes 31-3 on Friday night.

"It's a lot of work, but it's super fun," said Fink of playing both sports. "The boys are great. With the quarantine it was kind of difficult, because I also play hockey, too."

Playing football was actually Fink's own idea.

"I just decided to pick up football over the quarantine," Fink said. "Both coaches have worked well with it. It's been a great experience so far. Honestly, never thought about doing this. There have been other players in the past that have done soccer and football. It's definitely an honor to play both sports. The position has always fascinated me and I always love when it goes through the uprights. Having the opportunity to play it, there wasn't a better time to start than in the quarantine."

A couple of previous Wauconda graduates who played both sports were Brian Santella and Anthony Santella, dating back over 10 years ago.

On Saturday, Wauconda (1-3) had chances and was right in the match but Glenbrook North keeper Jakub Murzyn made a few point-blank saves on breakaways out of his 6 saves for the game.

"I was very impressed with their goalkeeping play," Wauconda coach Tim Miller said. "He was a game-changer back there. He read the game probably two-steps ahead of everybody. I believe we're getting better and playing good teams. We're not getting the results we want. But we're creating chances."

Glenbrook North (2-1-2) was led by Gabe Nayman, who had a goal and an assist. He scored the first one with a flick off an assist from Griffin Yoss in the 17th minute. Then, in the 69th minute. Vicente Sabbione sent a cross from the right side of the box. Nayman had a head flick for Ian Lee.

"I play up top on the right and I see a lot with the defense," Nayman said. "I'm trying to make runs across to find me over the top. Just trying to out run the center back.

"It's a short season and we're trying to get as much practice as we can. We're working heavily defensively and keeping the ball."

The Spartans have a young team this season and it's a process to get better through their first few games.

"We started the season off real slow and struggled a bit," Glenbrook North coach Paul Vignocchi said. "We do have a new team and graduated a lot of kids. It's a group that we're still working with. This year, there wasn't much of a preseason. We had some contact days. So, we keep getting better every game."