Foxes look toward a brighter future

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YORKVILLE -- This has been a year of thrills, team growth and disappointments for the fledgling Yorkville soccer program.

The Foxes concluded their regular season with an 8-0 loss to Western Sun Conference rival Glenbard South Tuesday at Campbell Field.

Despite being shut out on senior night, the Foxes showed moments of brilliant play, especially from junior goalkeeper Erick Nuevo, who stopped 18 Raiders' shots during the loss.

"I wouldn't trade our goalie for anything," Yorkville coach Mike Jacobs said. "I just wish we could take care of business and help him out."

Glenbard South scored what would eventually be the winning goal less than three minutes into the game when Foster Pyle drilled the ball past Nuevo to put the Raiders up 1-0.

Less than four minutes later, at the 6:54 mark, Matt Kulpa netted a goal after his teammates drew Nuevo from the net.

"We just didn't communicate out there," Nuevo said. "I was just frustrated out there."

After the Raiders' early surge, the Foxes defense pulled together and tried to keep the game within reach. Yorkville did not allow a goal for nearly 30 minutes as they kept Glenbard South defenders busy with eight shots on goal.

"We talked to them at half and told them, 'to do what you can,'" Jacobs said.

"That team was good," senior Daniel Godinho said. "They didn't expect us to go at them like that."

Matt Payne and Isaac Agguire each scored two goals for Glenbard South, while Tommy Sims and Evan Johnson each finished the game with one apiece.

"They were really good at controlling the ball," senior Ryan Kokoychuck said, "talking and passing the ball."

With the win Glenbard South improves to 4-3 in the Western Sun and 8-8-1 overall, while Yorkville failed to earn a conference win and falls to 2-15.

"It's tough," said Jacobs. "Our conference is good. Everyone is good."

While Yorkville saluted its seniors, which also included Jacob Bahr, Javier Cervantes, Jibril Chaaban and Patrick Olson, the team looked to the future.

"Next season is going to be better," Nuevo added.

As a first-year varsity program, the Foxes are just beginning to learn to how to play together.

"You can't expect a team to work together right away," reasoned Godinho.

And with a middle school program just on the horizon and continued success with park district and club programs, Yorkville will find its groove within the next few years.

"It takes time," Jacobs concluded. "It just takes time."