New-look Loyola grinds out win at Young

By Michael Wojtychiw

CHICAGO – The first day of competition marked a number of firsts for Loyola. Manager Justin Dunn, who took over the reins as leader of the Ramblers program, was making his head coaching debut, and the team was looking to establish a new core after key varsity players like Tommy Zipprich, Michael Sullivan, Dylan Gripman and Oscar Blazer graduated to the college game.

There might be new faces, but the same Loyola stepped out onto the field in the season opener against Young at the Michelle Obama Athletic Complex.

The Ramblers did just what they did in their abbreviated spring season — walk away with a win, this time defeating the host Dolphins 2-0.

Loyola’s John Phillips looks for a teammate upfield. Photos by Michael Wojtychiw

“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind the past couple weeks,” Dunn said. “Having to deal with everything in a running a program, especially as a 24 year-old that’s also a teacher at a different school, it’s tough.

“But I knew a lot of the guys returning and that’s been really helpful, especially the senior leaders who have been helpful in creating the environment and the rhetoric that we want to have. We knew the guys from last year were leaving, but we’re really confident in who we have. It’s all about building that chemistry, team environment.

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Young’s offense breaks through in win over Steinmetz

By Michael Wojtychiw

CHICAGO — Scoring goals hasn’t been something that’s easy to come by for Young’s this fall. In three of the team’s six contests, the Dolphins scored one goal or less.

So coming into the conference game against Steinmetz on Monday afternoon, the squad hoped to find more offensive output as it ramps up conference play over the next couple weeks.

That happened it a big way. 

The Dolphins (2-5-0, 2-1-0) went on a scoring rampage in an 8-0 win over the Silver Streaks at the Michelle Obama Athletic Complex.

Young forward Jared Ramirez looks to get past a Steinmetz defender. Photos by Michael Wojtychiw

“Lately, we’ve been focusing on being super dangerous on set pieces, because every time there’s a dead ball, you’ve got a decent opportunity to score,” said Young assistant Nick Maksa, who handled a good portion of the coaching reins Monday. “I think today, athletically, that allowed us to take over a little bit.

“But Steinmetz played hard the whole game. We know what it’s like to have a tough season, but those kids are grinding and grinding and never gave up.”

“We felt like it was important to us for us to come out strong because we haven’t had this type of day before,” Young junior defender Benjamin Lopez Scala said. “It was important for us to get back on track, get a confidence boost and know we can go in Wednesday at Lane hyper-focused and get the win.”

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Young sets tone, bests GBS in home-opener

Young’s Sydney Koleno handles the ball against Glenbrook South May 8 in Chicago. Photos by Michael Wojtychiw

By Michael Wojtychiw

CHICAGO – In recent weeks, it seems as if Young has become a second half team, one that likes to come from behind in big games after giving up the first goal. That’s what happened in a win over Jones and a tie with Lane the previous two Wednesdays.

But It wasn’t the case when Glenbrook South traveled south from Glenview to take on the Dolphins at the new Michelle Obama Athletic Complex right across the street from Young.

Young’s home debut ended up a positive one; it came away with a 3-1 win over the Titans May 8.

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Late goal pulls Young even with Lane

Lane’s Mary Rau looks for a teammate to pass to in a game against Young. Photos by Michael Wojtychiw

By Michael Wojtychiw

CHICAGO — When you put Young and Lane on the same pitch, the game seems bound to be a classic. The two programs, traditionally the top two in the Chicago Public League, meet every regular season and have faced off in five of the last six city playoff title games.

With the conference season at the midpoint in the Premier Division, the matchup May 5 at Lane Stadium stood as a good barometer as to where each team is.

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Young overcomes early deficit, tops Jones

By Michael Wojtychiw

CHICAGO – Young came into its key conference matchup against Jones with one decisively large advantage: numbers of games played and days on the pitch.

The Dolphins already had five games under their belt, including matchups against ranked Loyola, Warren and St. Ignatius. Jones, on the other hand, played its first match of the season after a team shutdown due to coronavirus protocols.

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Loyola tops Young in long-awaited return to pitch

By Michael Wojtychiw

GLENVIEW — Six hundred and ninety eight days.

That’s how long it had been since Loyola had taken to the pitch. That changed Thursday evening, however, when the Ramblers welcomed Young to their Munz Campus in Glenview April 15.

“It’s unbelievable, such a great feeling to be back on the field,” Loyola’s Kendall Beil said. “Playing for your school, playing for your teammates, there was undoubtedly great energy. You could feel it in the crowd and everybody on the bench.”

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New Trier Wins Invite

Neither the rain nor the cold could stop New Trier.  Continue reading

Kennedy clinches conference title

After a four year reign of either Payton or Young winning the Super Conference, there is a new team on top. Continue reading

Payton beats Young

Payton coach Joel Anderson said he feels his 2014 team could possibly be the best he’s ever had at the school. Continue reading

Payton Keeps It Up

In what has become the fiercest volleyball rivalry in the Public League, it was no shock to see Payton face Young in the Public League playoffs. This year the Grizzlies swept the Dolphins 25-16, 25-19 in Wednesday’s semifinals at Northside. Continue reading