One-goal losses continue to mount for Warriors

AURORA -- So close, yet so far. That's the feeling Waubonsie Valley keeps experiencing over and over again this season.

The latest installment?

A respectable 1-0 loss to unbeaten Upstate Eight Conference rival Neuqua Valley on Thursday night in Aurora.

On Monday, the Warriors (2-5-2, 0-2-1 UEC) lost 1-0 to Naperville North. Overall, of the Warriors five losses this season, they've lost four by one goal.

"Obviously, against Naperville North, against Neuqua, we hung in there defensively," Waubonsie coach Angelo DiBernardo said. "But offensively, we've got a long ways to go. We don't create, and they shut us down pretty good."

Neuqua senior Asa Carson scored the game's lone goal in the ninth minute. Carson, a defender, used his dribble to beat Wildcats' defenders and then unleashed a right-footed shot from 17 yards to beat Waubonsie goalie Kit Carson (four saves).

The Wildcats (6-0-2, 2-0-0) nearly added to Carson's first goal of the season. Senior forward Jaymie Bullard hit the crossbar from about 35 yards in the 45th minute much like senior forward Bryan Ciesiulka did from about the same distance in the 62nd minute.

"It was hard to break them down," Neuqua coach Jim Johns said. "They had numbers in the back. All we had to do was make just one small mistake and (the attack) was over."

The confidence that DiBernardo sees lacking in his team's attack could be seen on Neuqua's offense.

The Wildcats transitioned from defense to attack well with the help of ball-controlling senior midfielders Bryan Gaul and Bret Hruby, who assisted Carson's goal.

While many of the Wildcats' shots were from beyond the penalty box and off their mark, they still took 17 compared with Waubonsie's 4.

The Warriors best chances of tying the game may have come in a series from the 66th to 69th minutes.

During that span, starting freshman forward Ryan Dotson released a low shot on goal from 19 yards.

Also in that stretch, Neuqua sophomore goalkeeper Jack Turanchik (four saves) punched away a free kick right before colliding with Dotson - who received a yellow card on the play.

Waubonsie's Greg Danielewicz got a shot on goal in the 79th minute, but none of the Warriors chances really put Neuqua in great danger.

The Warriors always seemed outnumbered in their attacking third.

"I think our kids are thinking let's keep this close, and they're not thinking let's take the game to them right now," DiBernardo said. "And that's part of the confidence, which comes with winning the close games. When you're not winning the close games, it's hard to have that confidence."

Overall, the Wildcats started nine seniors, much like last year's senior-laden Benet team that went all the way to the supersectional before exiting the playoffs. On the other hand, the Warriors started only two seniors from last year's team - Carson and defender Anthony DiJohn.

Even with the hot start, Johns isn't saying his squad is as good as his 2003 team, which won the Class AA state tournament.

"Every team has got their pluses and minuses," Johns said. "This is a very good team, but if you look at the route we're gonna go through, it's just ridiculous. So, I mean, I'm not saying anything.

"We'll try."

Sun-Times News Group Soccer: Neuqua Valley 1, Waubonsie Valley 0