Downers Grove North continues its winning ways vs. Batavia

By Gary Larsen

As Saturday’s game between Downers Grove North and Batavia played out, you got the feeling that one goal was going to decide things.

North’s Ben Stein found himself in position to get that goal, and he came through.

“We had a good combination going up to it, and then (Justin) Pickering just hit me in a lob ball,” Stein said. “I just chested it down and saw that the keeper wasn’t coming out.”

“It felt like one goal was going to win this game.”

Stein’s second-half goal blistered the back netting from close range, giving DG North (8-3-3) all it ultimately needed in a 1-0 win over visiting Batavia (6-4), on the artificial turf of Doerhoefer Park in Downers Grove.

The unsung hero on the play was North’s Paul Hogan, who moved up top a few weeks ago.

“Paul Hogan has really done wonders with our offense,” North coach Brian Gervase said. “His pace puts a lot of pressure on defenses and forces them to leave holes open, and it left that hole open for Ben Stein.”

The 8:30 a.m. game slowly found its higher gear in the first half. North’s Justin Pickering nearly slid onto a cross sent to the far post early on but couldn’t quite reach it, and through 20 minutes both teams reached their attacking thirds and earned a few corner kicks that went for naught.

North’s Luis Salas tested Batavia keeper Ty Witkowski with a shot up high that Witkowski handled to start the second half.

Gervase utilized his bench throughout the second half, keeping the intensity up in the contest.

“We’re a deep team. I’ve got three or four subs that could easily be starters,” Gervase said. “It keeps our pace going, and we’ve got a nice rotation going in the center mid right now.”

“With Stu, (Justin) Pickering, (Ben) Stein, and Azmi Sharif, we’ve got four guys that can really play those middle two spots for us. They’re in a good rotation right now. They’re allowing us to stay fresh and active in the middle.”

Eric Garcia continued to play well in back since being converted from forward to defender, Neil Corcoran has been rock-solid in back all year, and Tom Budnik and Marcin Modzelewski were also instrumental in helping North to its 5th shutout of the season.

Matt Paprocki also continued his solid play in net for the Trojans on Saturday, making a few nice saves when called upon against Batavia.

North tried to keep possession and take the air out of the game after Stein’s goal, while Batavia pushed hard for a chance at a tying goal that never came.

“Batavia is a good team,” Gervase said. “We’ve been notoriously bad on Saturdays in the past, but this year we actually have three wins on Saturdays, so this was a good game for us.”

Man of the match: Stu Melton

By Gary Larsen

Since returning from an ankle injury suffered over the summer, Downers Grove North’s Stu Melton has been just what coach Brian Gervase thought he’d be.

“Stu is a difference-maker,” Gervase said. “He makes real good decisions and he’s a big part of our play.”

Melton posted a strong performance in North’s 1-0 win over visiting Batavia on Saturday.

“He held the midfield today,” Gervase said. “(Batavia) played with three (central) midfielders today so we were really playing three-vee-two with them today. Stu made good decisions, and he played a couple balls in space that really stretched them out. He’s only a junior, and he’s a big part of this team.”

North’s size and skill at midfield were evident throughout Saturday’s win.

“In the middle we have to be physical and keep the ball at our feet,” Melton said. “You can’t lose the ball and you have to be able to distribute.”

The junior is also just happy to be back on the pitch, after sitting on the sidelines as a good North team started the season well.

“That wasn’t much fun,” Melton said. “I just wanted to get out and play again. Coming back, it was hard getting in the flow, and that took a couple weeks. It’s kind of frustrating when you aren’t touching it the way you want to.”

The win over Batavia put North at 8-3-3 on the season – a far cry from the six wins over the past two seasons the program posted.

 “I just think we’re working harder this year,” Melton said. “Last year we were more lazy, and just going out to play. This year, we’re working hard in practice.”