Falcons blanked by Buffalo Grove

By Mike Garofola

Wheaton North took a few steps forward Tuesday afternoon, even in defeat, as the Falcons continued play at the 18th annual Lancer Classic at Lake Park.

Nagging injuries, plenty of new faces and the search to replace its all-sectional duo of Robert Wertke and Trevor Bushhouse from its sectional finalist club from a 2008 showed at times during a 1-0 loss to Buffalo Grove yesterday.

The Falcons (1-2-1) now are 0-2-1 in pool play following the loss with Crystal Lake South up next for coach Bryce Cann on Thursday at 5:00 at Streamwood's Millenium Park.

"I thought the effort and energy was much better in the second-half, and for the most part we dominated play (all) throughout, but a quick letdown cost us the match," said Cann, who refused to use his club's varsity inexperience and injuries as an excuse for the loss.

"We are constantly reminding the guys how important it is to do all the little things needed during the course of an 80 minute match, and especially how important it is not to allow a goal from the 70th minute forward, and that's what happened today."

With seniors Josh Bennett and captain Pat Langan a constant threat in the attacking end after the break, the Falcons seemed this close to finding the back of the net against a Buffalo Grove side which did well to keep most everything in front of them and away from its keeper Nick Landsberger.

Fresh off a hard-earned 2-1 victory over MSL rival Schaumburg less than 24 hours earlier, Buffalo Grove absorbed plenty of pressure from the aforementioned Falcons' duo, especially Bennett who was easily the Falcons man-of-the-match for his nearly 80 minutes of high powered play up top.

"It's a little frustrating to control the entire second-half and not be able to get a goal or two," began Bennett, a starter on the outside last season for Cann.

"The same thing happened to us the other day when we lost to Conant on a free-kick which turned out to be their best chance of the match."

"But we've got to continue to work hard and get ready for the DVC, and once we get everyone back and our starting line-up put together, we should be ready for conference play."

Bennett burst through with the help of Vito Muilli near the half hour mark and if not for a strong tackle by Buffalo Grove captain Kyle Fiordaliso, Bennett would have had Landsberger all to himself in close.

Just a few minutes before intermission, Bennett used two quick steps to find space before having a go at Landsberger which the sophmore stopped from 14 yards.

Prior to this sequence, the Falcons began to find their pace and it continued into the second half and all the way up to the decisive game-winner in the 71st minute when Alex Maciopinto struck in close after Greg Betz' helper sent the sophomore in on keeper Nick Barry.

"It was a match that was played mostly between the 18's today, and on the best and only chance (Buffalo Grove) had.. they scored," offered Cann.

Landsberger punched a well-placed corner from A.J. Ramirez at 54 minutes then Bennett helped Zak Gudanik redirect a header at the Buffalo Grove keeper, before the senior's left-footer was stopped in close.

Jack Riordan drove another header wide at 70 minute before the fateful goal from Maciopinto helped end the Falcons day on a down note.

"I am pleased with a lot that we did today, and we'll move forward from that and keep on working on finding a way to correct and improve in some key spots and areas of play," Cann would say afterwards.

2009 Schedule