Coach: Spartan soccer has new leader and lofty goals

Paul Gibbs spent most of his life in his hometown of New Castle, England, going to school there and playing on a variety of semipro soccer teams.

So, what brought the new head coach of the Glenbrook North Spartan boys soccer program over to the States, and specifically our neck of the woods here in the North suburbs?

"I met a Northbrook girl," he says. "It was on a vacation in Chicago." Ok, I guess that explains it.

Gibbs not only "met the Northbrook girl," but he moved to Chicago and married her. (Wife Gina, who attended Glenbrook North for three years.)

But that was quite awhile ago, and Gibbs is far from new to the GBN program. He has been a longtime assistant coach for the Spartans, working under veteran coach Paul Vignocchi. But this year he takes over for the first time as the head man. His assistant, by the way? Ex-head coach Vignocchi, so really it is the same faces and voices, just with a role reversal.

"Paul always gave me lots of responsibility," says Gibbs, "so it is not that much of a change. I have always been very much a hands-on type of coach, and that certainly will not change now that I am in a different position.

"Two things I am going to concentrate on," Gibbs says. "First is to emphasize to the boys the benefits of high school soccer, and not relegate it to second-class status compared to club and academy soccer. I have seen it from both sides, also as an academy coach, but I want them to see all the great benefits and be proud of playing for their high school team.

"Secondly, I really want to build up our youth program here in Northbrook. Through the park district program and through Spartan FC, I want to communicate and support them and get more young kids playing and enthused about soccer."

He certainly won't have any problem getting this year's varsity squad "enthused." They are champing at the bit to build off last season's success, and already sport a 1-0-1 record (as of this writing.)

Gibbs' 2022 squad is blessed with a nice combination of returning players with game pressure experience, and then some new, young, very talented players added into the mix. Together, they will try and build on what was a breakthrough season last year, as the Spartans caught fire early and went on to a 12-5-5 season, including going 3-1-1 and second place in the always tough CSL South division.

There have been some player losses, though. The biggest is would-be star midfielder Miles Bolder, who has to miss his senior season, as he is now in Sweden trying out for the Swedish National team. Bolder is a gifted playmaker and difference maker in the middle of the field, so that is a tough loss for the Spartan 11.

"The other concern," Gibbs says, "is we lost the heart of our defense, our two centerbacks, Jack Redlands and Alex Link. Both seniors have graduated, so we have to make sure we stay solid in that area."

The new interior defenders are Ethan Klinghofer, who played outside last year, and Ben Melnick and Tal Yedlin. It will be up to this trio and more to protect the goal area and make life as easy as possible for starting goalie Max Bachenheimer.

"Max is outstanding," Gibbs says. "He has all the tools of a great goalie, including size and athleticism. We are looking for a great year from him."

Bachenheimer split time last year with another outstanding goalie, Jakub Murzyn, but this year the goal is all his to protect.

Manning the middle of the field for the green and gold will be veterans Sam Lappin and Chris Sanchez, joined by talented junior Ian Lee, who played up on the varsity as a young sophomore last year.

Speaking of young sophomores, two will play a major role for the Spartans this year.

Chase Peterson, who we last saw patrolling the outfield for the Spartans' baseball squad - as a freshman! - will likely start and play at the outside back position. Peterson has foot skills and soccer chops to go along with that baseball talent, and he will be joined by fellow soph Brandon Spiggos, who will play up top in the forward scoring position.

We mentioned the loss of Bolder, which hurt no doubt, but the squad did gain an addition this year in senior Vinny Sabbione, who played academy soccer last year after playing with the high school squad his freshman and sophomore year.

"Vinny is a huge addition," Gibbs says. "He is a leader and one of our team captains, and gives us some real explosive scoring potential at the top of our offense. Glad to have him back!"

And Spartan fans may think they are seeing double this year as twin brother Tomas figures to get plenty of playing time and be a factor as well.

All in all, plenty to work with for the first year coach, and again all the momentum of that great season last year.

New Trier, Evanston and Glenbrook South will all be huge conference games and big stumbling blocks as they try to repeat on that success.

One final note: The Spartan season ended on a sour note last year as the favored GBN team got upset in the playoffs by St. Patricks 2-0.

You can be sure the returning players remember that game and will use it as motivation this year.

A better ending is definitely one of this season's goals

• Jon Cohn of Glenview is a coach, retired PE teacher, sports official and prep sports fan. To contact him with comments or story ideas, email jcsportsandtees@aol.com.