Spartans suffer initial SCC defeat to Warriors

By Curt Herron

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With the memory of a tough postseason loss from a year ago in the back of their minds, Wheaton Academy's players were extremely focused for St. Francis.

But while the Spartans did their best to produce another tight match in the series, the absence of their scoring leader proved to be too much to overcome.

After dominating the first half but having little to show for it, the Warriors struck twice quickly after the break and later added an insurance score.

Thanks to a pair of goals from Gareth Flynn and another from Karl Cassel, WA claimed a 3-0 Suburban Christian Conference win in West Chicago on Wednesday.

Warrior keeper Spencer Graf faced few challenges in goal as his team posted their tenth shutout and won for the eighth time in their last nine matches.

Beside the long-standing rivalry between the two programs, there were also SCC title implications on the line with both sides entering with 6-0 records.

Marmion also has a 6-0 mark with two conference matches remaining. The Cadets play at St. Francis on Saturday and then host the Warriors on Wednesday.

WA coach Jeff Brooke was pleased with his team's performance from the outset and with the contributions that he got from everyone who was called upon.

"We have a lot of respect for what St. Francis is doing so we knew that they would come in with a solid game plan," Brooke said. "It took us awhile to crack what they were doing defensively, so give them credit for that. I was proud of our guys for staying patient in front of the goal.

"It was nice to have a couple of our seniors grab all three of our goals. Gareth had two real nice ones and Karl hit a bomb, so it was really fun to see that happen. As a coach, you're proud to see your guys come out with energy and controlled emotion and channeling it the right way.

"I'm excited to be in the conference picture. We try to play well on our home field and try to play well in conference and then build out of that to perform against other schools. We knew that tonight was going to be a big one and our guys have done a nice job in conference so far."

The Warriors (14-6, 7-0) have been on a roll over the past three weeks, losing just once, when Saint Viator rallied for a 3-2 victory on Saturday.

They outscored their five conference opponents by a 37-2 margin during that span and have allowed just those two goals in their last eight triumphs.

WA recorded its third straight shutout and fifth in six matches, even though it had to shake some things up after Marshall West suffered an injury.

Senior Gabe Partain stepped in for West at a center back spot on Wednesday and his play typified the efforts that Brooke has been receiving of late.

"Gabe Partain and Danny Bergquist held down our center backs after Marshall got hurt last night," Brooke said. "So Gabe got the start and really played well and Danny has really developed as a center back. We're trying to get him to become more vocal and I saw that a little bit.

"I thought that one through 20 tonight we were solid. Guys did a nice job both while they were on the bench and when they entered the game. So we have a lot of positives to take away from tonight."

A postseason rematch between the two sides could again happen if both capture regional championships and advance to the Wheaton Academy Sectional.

The Warriors are the top seeds in their sectional while the Spartans are fifth seeds and will likely have to beat fourth-seeded Nazareth Academy.

St. Francis (9-7, 6-1), which had won its last three outings by a combined 21-1 margin, still has five matches remaining in the regular season.

Despite the absence of scoring leader Remi Mifsud due to illness on Wednesday, Spartans coach Kristin Keigley saw positives in her team's effort.

"Of course I'd prefer a win, but I was pleased with the way that our guys played and how they handled themselves in the first half and even things that they did in the second half when we were down goals," Keigley said. "There's nothing to be upset or ashamed or worried about.

"We saw plenty of positive things in this game that lead us to believe that things can go well for us in the playoffs. If we could have gotten some offense going tonight then maybe it would have been a different type of game. The pressure would have been taken off our defense.

"We talked to the boys about how this is a team game and they stepped up and did positive things. Nick Roehl did an outstanding job on defense, Matt Shultz just came back from a concussion and did a very good job at center back and Andy Wood ran his legs off man-marking today."

WA kept Spartans keeper Bobby Rozner busy throughout the match, which was played in front of a large and enthusiastic group of fellow students.

The hosts began to pressure about a quarter of an hour in, with attempts from Zebadiah Lewis, Andrew Luetkehans, Casey Zimmerman and Grant Stoneman.

In the half's final dozen minutes, Rozner halted tries from Sam Hardy, Stoneman and Ty Seager while Graf had to stop a Jake Miller corner kick.

"We knew that this was going to be a big game with this being homecoming week for Wheaton Academy and there would be a lot of pressure with a lot of people showing up," Graf said. "I thought we focused really well and were locked in as soon as the first whistle blew.

"My back four of Dan Bergquist, Andrew Luetkehans, Zeb Lewis and Gabe Partain played their hearts out with Gabe stepping up big in Marshall West's spot. They kept me from having to either save or touch the ball a lot tonight.

"I'm proud of our guys that we took a step in the right direction in conference. In the first half we had a lot of possession and the opportunities but just didn't put them away. But St. Francis was good at clearing the ball and their keeper made a couple of great saves.

"Freshman through senior, the chemistry on this team is one of the best I've seen. Our players who come in off the bench bring a focus and pace that helps our team push forward. And we have a great coaching staff and I'd do anything for Joe Selvaggio, our goalkeeper coach."

Things finally clicked for the hosts in the 46th minute when Stoneman sent a pass inside and Flynn beat a defender to score the initial goal.

Shortly after Brett Jungles was thwarted by Graf, the Spartans briefly lost Sam Kim and Matt Shultz to injuries and the hosts connected again.

Flynn picked up his second score in the 53rd minute when Rozner came out to challenge and the Warrior senior chipped a shot into an open net.

Following an exchange of shots from Jacob Kapitanuik and Matt Bonner, the Warriors had a sequence where they just missed adding to their lead.

Zimmerman started it with a liner off the post, Reid Culberson followed with a shot that was cleared and Lewis bounced a try off the crossbar.

Not long after Graf stopped Brian Cochrane on a long effort, Hardy sent a pass to Cassel, whose shot went in off the post in the 68th minute.

In the match's final 10 minutes, Stoneman was denied on a header, Flynn had a free kick punched away and Stoneman saw his long try thwarted.

The Spartans countered with an Andy Wood liner and a free kick from Shultz that was headed wide by Jungles on the last threat to the shutout.

"We knew coming in that this was going to be a big match," Partain said. "St. Francis gave us a great battle but we played really well and we're looking forward to the rest of the season. We had a lot of fun out there and it was an all-around awesome environment.

"With Marshall out, we all stepped up and really worked together. And it was awesome to see Karl step up and score the last goal. I like our team's chemistry and how we bond together and also with how well we talk with each other on the field on every play."

WA hosts Wheaton North on Friday while St. Francis takes on Bartlett today before entertaining Marmion in another key SCC match on Saturday.