Indians trying to think positive after loss

Lane Tech's David Walters dives for the save but just misses it, in the supersectional game against New Trier at Loyola University, Monday, Oct. 29.
(Dan Luedert/Staff Photographer)

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It's hard to look for bright spots in a 5-0 loss.

But when that loss comes to the defending state-champions and one of the best soccer programs in the history of Illinois, it's a little bit easier.

While Lane Tech lost its Loyola Supersectional match 5-0 to New Trier, Indians' head coach Andrew Ricks was able to see some improvement since his team's 5-1 supersectional loss to Glenbrook South in 2005.

"I hate to look at the really small strides but we lasted five minutes longer giving up a goal than two years ago," Ricks said. "I think they were ready and came out with intensity and heart."

That intensity wound up costing the Indians as New Trier put up three goals in the first half, all of them the result of fouls on Lane Tech.

"Unfortunately we were absolutely guilty of three fouls that they punished us for," Ricks said. " A good team will take advantage and punish you for your mistakes."

From the players perspective there was a real desire to not come out and play on their heels.

"We're facing a team that won state last year and we were a little nervous," senior Wilson Robles said. "But in the pros they leave it all on the field and that's what we wanted to do."

Lane Tech's Grzegorz Gaczol had the real unenviable task for the Indians: playing goal and trying to keep the Trevians off the board.

"I know that I'm going to have to do everything I can for the team and make a lot of saves," Gaczol said. "In other games I might not have to make a lot of effort but against New Trier they're going to be coming every second and I have to be aware."

When playing the Trevians it brings up the old sports saying: You can't stop them, you only hope to contain them.

"If you're not nervous it's not normal," Gaczol said. "But if we're going to get scored five on, we're going to get scored five on. They had four goals from free kicks so if we narrow down the free kicks maybe they only score one goal."

While Lane wasn't able to become the first Chicago Public League to advance to the soccer state finals since the elimination of the automatic berth, the Indians have plenty to be proud of.

"As soon as we lost in city we wanted to go win regionals and sectionals," Robles said. "The last time we were here was in 2005 so we were excited."

Ricks feels like his team isn't very far off.

"I still think we could have made this a 3-1 or a 2-0 game," Ricks said. "I think one of these years we will get through."