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I remember when Sandburg won back-to-back Class AA state titles in 2001 and 2002. If anyone recalls those teams, you know the Eagles didn't win those state crowns because of their offensive attack. (For those wondering, Sandburg - on both the boys and girls side - hasn't had a true offensive star since the days of Tim Regan and Katie Hertz.)
Coach Jack Ferraro's squads were and have always been based around defense and restarts. Those two seasons, defender Jed Zayner and goalie Cole Glassner led the way. Former Sandburg assistant coach Jim Pisani told me when Zayner was a freshman that he was going to be a man among boys by the time he was a senior - and he was.
And come next fall, defenders and goalies will once again be in the spotlight. From Naperville Central defender Tim Zimmer, Schaumburg defender Josh Beard, Downers South goalie Brett Petricek, St. Viator defender Matt Riggio, Andrew goalie Tom Serratore, Neuqua Valley goalie Jack Turanchik, Barrington goalie Tom Unak, Hinsdale Central defender Alex Scott , Marmion defender Luke Friedman and New Trier goalie Jordan Maman, these are just 10 defensive players to keep an eye on.
What other defensive players will make an impact next season?
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You might want to add Deerfield's Scottie Lakin to your list of defenders. He will be a junior next year. He is outstanding in the air, very fast, and left footed player who shut down Barrington's Furio in the LZ Sectional semi-final won 1-0 by Barrington in triple OT. As a sophomore, Scottie was a key part of a defense that posted 13 shutouts.
I watched the LZ sectional game where Barrington beat Deerfield 1-0 in triple OT, and CSL Coach makes an excellent suggestion. If Lakin was the defender that was on Furio, he played the best defense of anybody that marked Furio throughout the playoffs. As a Barrington fan, I watched every playoff game for Barrington, and Deerfield put up a fantastic fight to the finish. Lakin should be considered one of the top defenders for next season after his performance, seeing how he shut down and all-state forward. I didn't realize that Deerfield posted 13 shut-outs last season, but it is believable after the Barrington performance. The defense was steller.
Enjoyed discovering your blogs. Thought I'd add some thoughts after an enjoyable year of high school soccer.
1) Chicago Magic could beat Barrington or NV. Great size, skill, possession passing team with speed.
2) LWC needs to expend its horizons on its schedule to be better prepared rather then rely on walking thru their weak south suburb playoffs to state final 8.
3) There should never be a 17 -0 score. just pass out the clock. IHSA, if not NT , should be embarrassed.
4) Speaking of NT - is there a more over rated goalie than theirs? How many all staters in front of him yet the amount of goals given up to HC and Ohio teams when competition is at a higher level is how many? Especially HC, who barely scored on anyone all season.
5) Speaking of HC - was there ever a goalie performance in past seasons like shakon's down the stretch? especially with little ability to possess the ball on offense at midfield or striker.
6) Speaking of 2008 defenders - watch out for another in the long line of great HC goalies in Sean Donovan, who is being hotly recruited by eastern colleges.
7) Should the behavior of Barrington's star striker after scoring every goal deserved a yellow card?
8) Why are the soccer academies not a violation of NCAA eligibility? Payment of travel, uniforms, etc.?
9) I thought the quality of referring this season was much improved.
10) thanks for your coverage of the boys, teams and the sport. you deserve it as much as the Tribune and Daily Herald. It helps a sideline soccer fan and observer like me follow the beautiful game.