Hornets settle for scoreless draw with Bulldogs

By Darryl Mellema

Unofficially, Hinsdale South scored a goal on Thursday night – but then so did Batavia.

But each of those "goals" was disallowed. The Hornets and Bulldogs battled away for 80 minutes but neither side was able to put in a goal that counted – and they settled for a 0-0 draw in play at the Waubonsie Valley Invitational.

"We had our chances," Hinsdale South coach Jim VanDenburgh said. "I think a little bit of frustration set in to a certain extent."

Defenses dominated play, and here is where the Hornets have had some work to do recently.

The last time Hinsdale South (6-9-4) kept a team from scoring was September 16, when it defeated Addison Trail 1-0 – a shutout victory that came nine matches ago.

"I have a lot of confidence in those guys," VanDenburgh said of his defenders. "But I don't feel it's a clean blank sheet unless we get a goal on it as well."

One of those defenders is senior Tyler Langosch, who said many of the things the defense had to work out during the season have been smoothed.

"I thought the D was playing hard and physical and we were stopping them," Langosch said. "We don't necessarily like to play an offside trap. But we still try to keep them offside when we can."

Langosch said the 19 matches he and his fellow defenders have played has made a difference.

"We've been mixing up the defense some with different players," Langosch said. "I think the way we have it now is the best set-up."

Results have been tough on the Hornets recently – Hinsdale South is 1-2-2 in its last five matches.

"I really felt we needed to come out of here with a win tonight, and it didn't happen," VanDenburgh said. "Unfortunately we didn't get the job done. We'll take the draw, although we wanted the win."

Waubonsie Valley’s tournament is set up to be a good late season test for teams just before the playoffs start.

The Hornets continue play in the tournament on Saturday with a 10 a.m. match at Lemont.

"Batavia is my alma mater so I know them pretty well," VanDenburgh said. "I know their system and they always bring a good squad."

Then the Hornets embark on their last week of the regular season with matches at Proviso East and Downers Grove South.

"We're just trying to see if we can be more of a polished product," VanDenburgh said. "I think we still have some work to do, and we'll try to get that done in the last two games in conference before we get to the playoffs."