Oswego Ousted From Pepsi Showdown

Few chances, fewer possibilities.

Oswego (0-6) was on the disappointing side of a 2-0 result with Wheaton Warrenville South on Tuesday, costing them a chance to move into Round 2 of the Pepsi Showdown, a tournament that at some point requires even the stingiest of defensive teams to output some offense.

The Tigers (3-2-1) were never threatened seriously as they walked away winners on a crisp evening at Red Grange Field in Wheaton.

“I feel like I’m giving the same interview after every game. It’s frustrating,” Oswego coach Travis Carlisle said. “When you’re a young team, you’re able to hang for a while, but their experience overcomes you. They have fresh legs and can push you back.”

While the winless Panthers did not come out on top, they sure defended well throughout, even as the home-side Tigers kept possession in the Oswego half for much of the game. The chance after chance that went begging for the home side paid testament to an improving Panthers defense.

“Every game we are improving. We can’t score, but our defense is improving and we’re getting better possession of the ball. We still can’t finish, though,” said Panthers forward/midfielder Curtis Grysiewicz. “The defense is getting better. If we had more possession, maybe that (losing) wouldn’t have happened.”

The Tigers managed most of the first-half possession, but it was the visitors who looked closest to going in front early on a pair of occasions.

Three minutes in, Oswego’s Ryan Totsch unloaded a bullet from just outside the Tigers box that went just over the goal. Five minutes later, the Panthers’ Dominic Primbas unloaded a shot after a neat pass from teammate Jeremy Wine sent him darting down the Tigers’ left.

But much of the rest of the opening stanza was Oswego trying to get out of its own half after being pinned down by incessant Tigers pressure.

Wheaton Warrenville South’s Joe Holz ended the deadlock at 37 minutes when he half-volleyed a neat little chip over Oswego’s Devin Hernandez.

The second half provided little drama as South was content to pass it around, while Oswego worked hard just to try to find possession.

The Tigers scored again, this time in the 61st minute, when Daniel Burns headed home from a long pass from teammate Will Huesing.

The win gave coach Guy Callipari the 250th of his career. After the game, Callipari was thankful for the many players and memories he’s had.

“When you’ve had that many wins, you’ve either been successful or you’ve been coaching too long,” chuckled the Tigers head coach. “I’m just very proud of what we’ve done here and very thankful for all of the kids I’ve coached.”

Oswego will return to action next week.