Timothy Men's Soccer Defeats Morgan Park to Win Sectional Championship

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Other Press On The Game:

Chicago Sun-Times Daily Herald

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The Timothy Christian High School men's varsity soccer team has won their second ever sectional championship. With a 2-1 victory, the Trojans defeated the Warriors of Morgan Park Academy and advanced to the IHSA's class 1A state semi-finals for the first time in school history.

With an outstanding full-team effort, Timothy beat a Morgan Park team that featured two premier players- Junior Eppokrates Litos and Senior Milan Tica- both of whom played at an extremely high level, but in the end, the Warrior efforts could not top teamwork of the Trojans.

Timothy opened the scoring 9 minutes into the game with an amazing individual effort by senior forward Justin Groenewold. Groenewold dribbled through three Morgan Park defenders, set himself up with a shot in the middle of the goal-box, and ripped a right footed blast past the keeper and into the back of the net for an unassisted goal. Not bad for a natural lefty.

Morgan Park came back with a goal of their own, just 12 minutes later. The goal featured the work of both Litos and Milan, with Litos dishing a through-ball to Milan who sliced through the defense and finished off his chance. The score would remain 1-1 at half-time.

About midway through the second half, senior Justin Groenewold again found some space in the Morgan Park defense, worked to gain a cross that sophomore forward Corey Philip shot. The initial shot was saved, but a rebound found Phillip right back,and the sophomore forward would not miss on what proved to be the game-winning goal.

Despite generating several more scoring opportunities, Timothy could not finish off "an insurance goal." So, for the rest of the second half, it was "hang-on" time for Timothy- and the team did not disappoint- playing an outstanding defensive effort- particularly the work of senior defender Jonathan Voss and sophomore sweeper Mike Pizello for their work shutting down Litos.

With the blow of the final whistle, the Timothy Trojans had advanced to the final four teams in class 1A. The team faces and exciting opportunity in the state semi-finals, taking on the three-time defending state champion Waterloo Gibault Catholic. The game will be played at North Central College in Naperville, IL on Friday, October 31st at 5:30 PM. The winner of this game will advance to the state finals (7:00 PM Saturday) and the loser will play for the 3rd place game (5:30 PM Saturday).

Van Drunen Christmas December 20, 2008

For those of you that I have not spoken to the Van Drunen family Christmas get together will be December 20 at the home of Keith & Cher. More details to follow as the day grows nearer. Cher

Dates to Remember

On Saturday, November 22, we will again have our family bunco party. This year it will be at the home of Deb & Chuck Paarlberg. Deb volunteered to have it. You will be receiving invitations in the mail shortly.

Thanksgiving will be at our home for those who are able to attend. Let us know if this will work for you.

We attended Anna's soccer game yesterday at Trinity. The Trolls won 1-0. It was an exciting, muddy, game.

We understand Rudi's soccer team won their game - 6-0. I'm sure we will receive info from him.

A Good Piece of News From My Neck of the Woods

The Timothy Christian men's varsity soccer team has won the Elmhurst regional championship. With a 2-1 victory, the Trojans beat the #1 seeded and highly touted Lions of Lisle high.

Prior to the game, the Trojans were placed in a difficult scenario- starting defender Kent Dixon was ineligible to play as a result of a "soft-red card" in the regional semi-final. A defensive-minded line-up change resulted in senior captain Jake Schemper man-marking the Lions key-player, Senior Jon Voss moving to outside defender, and quintessential"gamer" Nate Middel entering the starting line-up. The three position changes worked to near perfection, as all three played very well outside of their normal game roles and held the Lions without a goal for the majority of the game.

Timothy senior Taylor Slager headed home a cross off of a senior Jeb Nash corner-kick to open the scoring early in the first half. Junior midfielder Nate Middel took an advantageous bounce off of his body and rammed home the crucial second goal. Timothy dominated most of the first half possession, but couldn't find the net a third time despite many close calls.

Credit the talented Lions with a great game, particularly in the second half when they scored off of a flubbed Timothy goal-kick, bringing the ball through the defense and beating goal keeper Peter Tameling who finished the night with 13 saves. But in the end, it was too much Timothy, and the Trojans advanced through regionals and into the Lisle Sectional. Timothy will play a yet to be determined opponent at Benedictine University in Lisle at 12:00 noon on Saturday, October 25.

John McCain Brings Down The House - Al Smith Dinner Part 1

Politicians should do more of these types of speeches.

Catching Up

Now that the Depot is closed for the season, I have some time to catch up on the blog. I finally figured out my password that was forgotten due to non-usage. Dyke, Craig, Cole, and myself just returned from a quick weekend trip to Colorado for the wedding of Luanne Wories (Dyke's niece). The weather was lousy, but enjoyed it anyway. Craig forced us to hike in the mountains (I think they were really just foot hills) and we had to have hiked at least 10 miles.
Craig is back at Camp Atterbury for three weeks of training and then will be home until he is deployed in early January. We aren't told too many details as that is for security, and also there are always changes possible with the military. I'm thinking of having an open-house, going away party for him sometime at the end of December or very early January. If there are any dates that fit your schedule, let me know.
Speaking of dates, any plans for Thanksgiving or Christmas? I have another side of the family that likes to plan way far in advance and keeps asking about our plans.

Surprise visit

Anneke, Kate, and I were in Palos today for a doctor's appointment, so we stopped by Trinity to see the cousins. I had no idea where they lived, so luckily Scott was walking down the sidewalk from lunch when we got there. Emily wasn't in her room =( but we got to see Karley and Anna's room. We loved seeing you guys and where you live!

Johnny's going down!

As of tonight, two more Karate Kids have begun training, or should I say one future Danielson and one overweight middle-aged guy who had a totally weird experience. Justin and I signed-up for the 7 yr. old - adult Karate through our park district. Since we've always viewed it as a cool father/son thing it wasn't until yesterday we began to think more 7 year olds, less 35 year olds. I'd put the average age of tonights beginners generously at 9.75, but the one 35 year old skews the number higher.

We did have a lot of fun and there is one other dad from the returning group so he and I got to practice kneeing in the junk. (There's an ice breaker for your next church function!) As we progress through the ranks I'll keep you informed.

More Keith!

I don't know how everyone else is feeling, but I need more Keith! Where have the poetic descriptions of athletic competitions been? Questions raised we all need to ponder? A perspective only a man growing up in a house with 5 sisters and 2 bathrooms can answer? I am begging, pleading, just like Walken needs more cowbell, I need more Keith.

CUBS

UNBELIEVABLE.