Boys soccer: Checking in on conference races at the midway point of the season
Things are beginning to sort themselves out in conference play as we pass the midway point in the season.
In the MSL East, Hersey has 15 points to lead Fremd by 2. Conant, which has rebounded from a slow start to win three straight games, all via shutout, is back in the race with a 3-2-1 record and 10 points.
“We've been playing really well of late,” said Conant coach Jason Franco. "(The) key has been our team defense, and especially the play of our back line.”
Schaumburg took a big step forward in its quest for a division title when it beat Barrington 1-0 Friday night to go three points clear of the Broncos, 13-10.
“Our success thus far can be attributed to the individual play of senior Mati Krzanowski, defenders Jesus Rosales and Juan Carlos, as well as freshman Filip Tabacynski, who leads our team in scoring,” said Saxons coach Matt Meyer. “We've been able to keep our shape, staying organized and compact while keeping play in front of us.”
The Saxons (6-4-2) have won three straight to earn nine points.
In addition to the new-look MSL, when the regular season comes to an end there will be a round of semifinals to decide what clubs will advance into the 50th annual MSL Soccer Cup.
Two days in advance of the MSL Soccer Cup, the East Division champ will play the runner-up in the MSL West, and the MSL West champ will play the MSL East runner-up.
The division champions will host.
North Suburban Conference:
Perhaps cast unfairly as a middle-of-the-table club this fall after its 0-5-0 overall start, Lake Zurich (6-6-1) finds itself atop the NSC following its fourth consecutive win in league play, on Thursday over Mundelein.
The Bears’ 2-0 victory takes them a perfect 4-0-0 to go past Stevenson, which suffered its first defeat the same night in Gurnee to Warren.
Warren bagged two second-half goals, the game-winner coming in the 70th minute to beat the Patriots (10-2-0, 3-1-0), who were hoping to keep pace with the surging Bears.
“There's no sugarcoating it, (last) week was tough with three straight losses,” said Blue Devils coach Jason Ahonen. "(But) I am incredibly proud of the boys. They could have either dwelled on those losses or turn the page and move forward, and with some great support from our fans, and an electric atmosphere, they came out to play a great game — the experience is what high school sports is all about.”
The Blue Devils (8-5-0, 2-3-0) are at Lake Zurich on Tuesday.
Northern Lake County Conference:
Grayslake Central and Wauconda had separated themselves from the rest of the pack in the NLCC, but when Round Lake stunned then undefeated Wauconda 3-2, it gave Grayslake Central an edge when the two league powers meet on Tuesday.
Grayslake Central (4-0-0) could get itself closer to a second straight NLCC title should it defeat the Bulldogs (3-1-0, 8-2-1), who were unbeaten in nine straight until their loss at home.
East Suburban Catholic Conference:
Easily the surprise in the area this fall is that of St. Viator, always a perennial league and state power, had fallen on some hard times of late during a three year swoon.
Not so this season.
The Lions are level with longtime rival Benet Academy in the ESCC at 3-0-0 while holding a magnificent 9-2-1 overall record.
“(We) are defending as a unit, and staying organized, which has made us difficult to break down,” said Lions coach Byron DeLeon. “We're also doing a much better job of converting our chances, which was our focus coming into the season.”
DeLeon points to the play of Miles Waddell, along the back line, and Diego Garcia and Jacob Casey, who together have been the engine in the Lions’ attack thus far.
The biggest challenge lies ahead for Lions, who have St. Patrick, Carmel Catholic and Benet remaining in their league schedule.
West Suburban Gold:
The WSC Gold has seen Leyden and Morton stage a ferocious regular-season campaign to see which would lift the trophy at season’s end.
Last fall it was Leyden, after a thrilling two-overtime 2-1 victory over the Mustangs, that carried away the spoils.
The Eagles lost most of their starting 11 from its 19-3-2 squad. However, coach Mark Valintis has assembled a club that sits at 11-2-1, with Morton on the docket this Tuesday on the road.
“We moved Rogelio Herrera from the midfield in as our center back, Diego Esquivel has been terrific in the midfield, Ryvin Del Pilar is our leading scorer, and getting Jose Mendez back from Sockers MSL Next club soccer has given our attack a big lift also,” Valintis said.
Mendez leads the club with 10 assists.
Streamwood Fall Classic:
In the recent Streamwood Fall Classic, which is quickly becoming one of the go-to midseason tournaments, Leyden defeated West Chicago (2-1) in pool play, but the Wildcats (8-5-1) came back to win the tournament when it cruised past state-ranked Oak Park-River Forest.
It's been a remarkable turnaround for the Wildcats, who opened the season 1-3-0 before finding their form.
“We lost close games to state powers like Naperville North, Morton, Leyden, Lyons Twp., but I feel after a couple of changes in our lineup and formation, we're finally where we want to be,” said Wildcats coach Jose Villa.
No doubt the return of Abraham Salinas from the Barca Residency MLS Next Academy in Phoenix after a two-year absence from the Wildcats has given the club an added boost.
The academy sent 21 players to a college scholarship and another five who signed a pro contract.
Checking the rankings:
While Naperville North remains atop the Daily Herald Top 20 poll for this week, South Elgin kept a tight grip on the No. 2 spot after its program record 13th win following its 2-1 victory over Wheaton Warrenville South on Saturday.
Roman Ruiz and Emiliano Morales netted for the Storm, which ran its record to 13-2-1. The Storm finished 7-12-1 a year ago.