DGN Soccer Off To Blazing Start

When goalkeeper Matt Paprocki and the rest of the seniors on Downers Grove North's boys soccer team were underclassmen, the Trojans were a mess.

The program endured seasons with two and three wins before earning 12 wins last year.

"It was aggravating to go through, and we kept saying that it wasn't going to happen to us," Paprocki said. "It's not going to happen to us."

So far, Paprocki is right. Thursday's shootout win at Wheaton Warrenville South and Saturday's 2-0 win over Maine South as part of the Pepsi Challenge gave the Trojans eight straight wins after a season-opening tie against Benet. Other than the Wheaton South win, the seven other wins have come by at least two goals.

While people outside of the program may be surprised by this success, don't count coach Brian Gervase among them.

"We knew about this senior class," Gervase said. "They're soccer players. They've gone to Europe to play. Half of them went to Spain to play. They show up every day and I don't have to get on top of them every day. They get their work in. It's that kind of team. It's fun to coach them."

The early success has given the Trojans some more recognition and attention from opponents. Still, they must further prove themselves again this week as the Pepsi Showdown continues, which means tougher games for DGN now that pool play is over and the bracket of the 32-team tourney is starting to take form.

"We know we're a good team, but you have to prove yourself every time," said senior Jakob Mousel, who scored both of the Trojans' goals in regulation Thursday. "If you don't show up that day, it means nothing."

The senior class is a major component to this team, but Gervase was quick to mention his talented sophomores that have provided a steady complement to the strong senior class.

Midfielder AJ Jeffries may be the most talented player on the roster. Reid Melton has provided plenty of firepower and Zackary Parik has developed into a throw-in specialist.

"I can't just look at the senior class," Gervase said. "It's a perfect storm of people arriving for us."