Trojans finish regular season strong vs. Dukes

By Matt Le Cren

Heading up the field without a paddle Thursday night was no easy task, but that didn’t stop host Downers Grove North from attacking relentlessly in its regular season finale against York at muddy Carstens Field.

The field was a quagmire and the ball so dirty it was hard to see, but the Trojans overcame the atrocious conditions and posted a 4-1 West Suburban Conference Silver Division victory to head into the state playoffs on a high note.

“It was hard to control the ball but it was [the same] both ways so we just kind of battled through,” said Downers North’s Matt Weiss, who scored his team-leading 10th goal in the second half.

“Basically in the back we just decided to clear the ball just to be safe. In the midfield we tried to get up top and then once we were in the final third of the field we just tried to dribble around and try to create some offense.”

The Trojans (10-7-3, 2-4) had no trouble generating chances as they peppered the York net with 19 shots. They broke the ice with 9:11 left in the first half when Paul Hogan buried a shot from the middle of traffic in front of the net following a failed clearing attempt. The play was set up by a 50-yard free kick from Marcin Modzelewski.

Azmi Sharif made it 2-0 at the 6:53 mark with his second goal of the season. The junior first attempted to slot a pass through the middle from the left side of the penalty area but had it blocked. Getting the ball right back, he fired a 15-yard shot that hit the inside of the right post and went in.

Sharif celebrated by falling down in the mud, no doubt to the consternation of whoever does his laundry. But by the end of the match, most of his teammates were similarly caked in mud.

“He’s been bringing a lot of consistency as our center mid and he may actually be one of our starters in the playoffs,” Downers North coach Brian Gervase said. “He’s a big kid, he’s got long legs, he’s had nagging injuries all year but he’s finally healthy.”

North upped its advantage to 3-0 with 25:27 remaining in the second half on the game’s prettiest play. Luis Salas passed up the right flank to freshman A.J. Jeffries, who quickly flicked it ahead to Weiss, who turned quickly and struck a 15-yarder inside the left post that York keeper Joseph Stein had no chance at.

Nick Ryan finished the scoring by knocking home a rebound with 1:35 left, punctuating an effort that pleased Gervase.

“I thought they held their composure pretty well,” Gervase said. “They played simple and we made some good things happen. We finished some nice balls and got a lot of guys time to play today, which is nice. It was good to get a little momentum.”

The visiting Dukes (10-8-1, 2-4), who have foundered after starting the season 7-0, did manage to get 16 shots, mostly by counterattacking. But North goalie Matt Paprocki was up to the task, making 10 saves.

The Trojans are the No. 7 seed in the Class 3A Downers Grove South Sectional. They open the playoffs with a regional semifinal match at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday against No. 10 Lockport at Naperville North.

“We’re feeling confident,” Paprocki said. “If we play like this the sky’s the limit.”

DG North starters vs. York

Man of the Match: Matt Paprocki

By Matt Le Cren

The only thing harder than trying to stay upright Thursday night at Carstens Field was trying to catch the muddy, slippery soccer ball.

That was the task Downers Grove North goalie Matt Paprocki had and he did it well, making it look easy in stopping 10 shots in the Trojans’ 4-1 victory over York.

“We’re pretty proud of him today,” Downers North coach Brian Gervase said. “It’s pretty slick out here and he made some nice catches. It looks easy. It looks like you should be able to just pick up the ball but it’s not [easy]. He’s a junior and he obviously did a great job for us this year.”

Paprocki blamed himself for giving up a goal that bounced over his head in Tuesday’s 2-1 loss to Hinsdale Central, so this was a nice rebound for him.

“I was very pleased with my play,” Paprocki said. “I feel like I let the team down Tuesday, so to come out like this is a great way to pick myself up and then also to be going into the playoffs like this [is a positive].”

York’s only goal came with 5:31 left in the game and could be blamed on the wet conditions. Paprocki stopped a Dukes shot but had the ball slip through his hands and bounce off his knee straight to a York player.

“The ball was like a wet baby,” Paprocki said. “That goal they got, I had it in my hands. I’m bringing it in and it just slid out and went off my knee. In these conditions I was hoping to just punch it. But it happens.”