SOCCER: Goal Scoring Slump Costly For Spartans

Glenbrook North is struggling to do the most important thing in a soccer game: score goals.

The Spartans were shut out for the fourth straight game following a 1-0 loss Saturday afternoon to Highland Park at Wolters Field in a Central Suburban League North match.

GBN (3-4-2, 0-2-1), which is goalless in three conference games, created chances but could not put quality shots on frame against Giants’ goalkeeper Aaron Grinell (2 saves). Meanwhile, the Spartan defense conceded just one goal but it was enough.

“We just gotta score,” Spartan coach Paul Vignocchi said. “Once that happens things will start to open up a little bit more.

“I thought our defense played well again tonight, just one mistake.”

Highland Park put several shots on goal in the first half, but the Spartans’ were able to prevent good shots from coming at keeper Mitch Shapiro. Shapiro had a solid performance with 10 saves, seven coming in the first half.

The Giants made sure to take advantage of all the chances early in the second half. In the 44th minute they scored on a header, but it was disallowed for an offside call. A minute later they got one to count.

After a header caromed off the crossbar, senior midfielder Michael Chang was there to stuff in the rebound past a helpless Shapiro.

Vignocchi was disappointed with his team’s intensity coming out of the halftime break.

“We were much more intense in the first half and much more focused in the first half,” a frustrated Vignocchi said. “The second half wasn’t complete. When you score in the first five minutes of the second half, it just wasn’t there.”

Junior Ryan Bunney and freshman Zayne Willis came forward from the outside back positions to push for the equalizer. The desperate Spartans’ attack created a pair of near-scoring opportunities.

First, Grinell denied Allen Napadov on a nice save from an open shot in the box soon after the Giants took the lead. Then in the final minutes a scramble at the edge of the box almost resulted in the loose ball finding the net, but it was cleared off the line for a corner.

“We’re having opportunities, but the actual finishing we’ve been struggling with,” junior defender Ryan Bunney said.

The continued offensive frustration has GBN out of the running to defend its conference title. Now the focus shifts towards regaining confidence in time for the postseason.

“There’s plenty of time,” Vignocchi said. “We created chances, but it’s the old adage put the biscuit in the basket.”

Despite the recent slump, Vignocchi and Bunney both believe a turnaround is inevitable.

“I think it will come, our guys just need to work and keep the intensity,” Vignocchi said.

“For the past couple games we’ve kind of been at a stalemate, but I think if we just come together we’ll get it,” Bunney said. “It will come.”

The Spartans will try to get off the ground Tuesday when Deerfield visits William Lutz Stadium in Northbrook.