Roberts helps Dukes get on winning track

York junior soccer player Ryan Roberts doesn't see the point in setting easily attainable goals.

"I always set them high," Roberts said. "When you set them high and work hard to try and reach them, you can do a lot of good things."

That's what Roberts and the Dukes have done lately.

Roberts scored a goal in his fourth straight game to help the Dukes compile a 3-0-1 record during that stretch.

"It's a pretty good scoring run for myself and a nice personal accomplishment, but I'm just glad the team is doing well," Roberts said. "We had a slow start, but our team defense and team offense has been a lot better and hopefully we can keep it going and pull out a couple more wins."

York (5-4-1) beat Willowbrook 2-0 Saturday in Elmhurst for its third straight victory. Roberts and Ryan Schroeder scored goals for the Dukes, who received a strong defensive effort to pick up the shutout.

York beat Glenbard South 2-1 Sept. 13 in Elmhurst thanks to goals by Roberts and Adam Ahern.

The Dukes also opened play in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division with a 2-1 shootout win over Glenbard West Sept. 11 in Elmhurst. The Hilltoppers, who entered the game with an 8-1 record, led 1-0 at halftime, but Roberts evened the score at 1-1 seven minutes into the second half and then scored York's first penalty kick in the shootout that the Dukes won 4-1.

"We'd like to finish first in conference," Roberts said. "This was a big game for us. It was our first game in conference and it came against a team with a good record going in. Coming out on top was a big boost for us."

After Roberts' shootout goal, goalkeeper Evan Johnson, who has been slowed by an ankle injury, made a save and freshman Dave Sevaggi converted his attempt to put the Dukes ahead for good.

Roberts, who also had three assists this season, has picked up some of the scoring slack this season after the Dukes graduated a talented senior class. He began the season as a center midfielder but has been switched to forward.

"We lost most of our team, so coming into this year I knew I had to step it up," Roberts said. "I started off slow, but the past five, six games, I'm trying to take on a bigger role and do what I can for the team by scoring. I think it took us a while to click as a team this season, but the last couple of games we've all come together and are starting to play better."