To be a board member of Green-White, you must also be a member of the club.  If you are one of the board members who has not yet paid his or her membership, please do so before the next board meeting.  You can pay on our website, or you can send a check to Christine Condon.  Thank you!

Also, if you are unable to attend a meeting, and you have something to report regarding any item on the agenda, please email that information to me (Cindy) by 5 p.m. on the date of the meeting!

Thank you!

BOARD MEETING

Friday, October 2, 2009 at 8:00 p.m.

AGENDA

1. Minutes

 2. Correspondence

 3.Reports from Board Members and Committees

 4.Financial Report

 5.Soccer – teams and issues

 6.Miscellaneous

7. Clubhouse Staffing

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 Don’t forget to use the Green-White Hotline for information about games, social activities, etc.:  630/415-1509

 Check out our website at www.Greenwhitesoccer.org

The games scheduled for this weekend are as follows:

• September 26 – 5:00 @ Metro-Majewski Park – GWO30 v. Calisia
• September 26 – 6:00 @ Olympic Park – GWO40 v. Hrvat
• September 27 – 1:00 @ Metro-Majewski Park – GW Res. v. Belgrade Res.
• September 27 – 3:00 @ Metro-Majewski Park – GW 1st v. Belgrade 1st

For all GW Youth Team schedules, visit www.yssl.org and www.iwsl.com/club.php?clu_code=GW

On September 20, 2009, the Green White First Team faced down Maroons in an away fixture at Elmwood Park HS.  The match ended in a stalemate but not for the want of quality chances on both sides of the ball.  Of significance, Matt Connor was forced from the game on 10 minutes with the recurrence of a hip flexor injury.  Almost immediately thereafter, confusion in the back allowed a one-on-one break that keeper Dan Caruso confidently dispatched with a kick save.  At the 28 minute mark, Brady Hyde did well to hold and turn to find Adam Misirly posting at the top of the box.  Misirly slipped the ball across the top of the box for Kyle Retzlaff, but his  side-footed effort was well wide of the mark.  Shortly thereafter, Niko Voules sent Brady in on goal but the keeper stood tall to turn him away.  As Green White continued to find strength, a melee in the box saw the ball bounce out to Sean Connor, but his dipping, deflected shot sailed just over the crossbar.   As the first half ended, the rainclouds rolled in and the intermission lasted a little longer than usual until the Thor-guard sounded the all clear.  The second half proved to be a wet and slippery affair with no team able to grab the upper hand.  In the end, a share of the points was a fair result for both teams.  At the end of week #3, with seven points from two wins and a draw, Green White sits in first place atop the Metropolitan League Major Division table.  

Squad: Dan Caruso (k), Brendan Connor, Matt Connor, Sean Connor, Rolando Cruz, Anthony Derose, Brady Hyde, Bunny Larmond, Adam Misirly, Jason Okroy, Kyle Retzlaff, JP Reyes, Eric Spiess, Niko Voules.

On September 20, 2009, the Green White Reserve Team renewed acquaintances with Maroons at Elmwood Park HS.  With a number of players unavailable for the match, Green White called out the reserve reserves  and as a result of so many new faces playing together for the first time, the green side lacked any semblance of fluidity.  After going down to a goal in the first half, things came together a bit following the intermission.  Todd Schneider played through Mitch Lechowski for a break away that he wanted back after badly missing the target.  In the second half, Keith Andersson all but strip searched a Maroon forward on the break in the box.  After the penalty kick was converted by another, Andersson was disappointed to learn that the “victim” was a worse shot than Lechowski, and he should have let him go in alone.  Late in the game, AJ Nawrocki rounded the keeper to put one in the net, but was wrongly adjudged to be off sides when sent in by Brandon McLemore.  That would have made for an interesting run into the conclusion, but it proved to be for naught and the reserves fell by a final score of 2-0. 

Squad:  Mike Magner (k), Keith Andersson, Ricardo Herena, Mitch Lechowski, Brandon McLemore, A.J. Nawrocki, Matt Perille, Mel Qoku, Todd Schneider, Dominic Storelli, Nate Walker, Prosper Wang.

On  September 19, 2009 the Green White O30 Team trekked to Oakbrook, Illinois for a date with Eagles AAC.  In a developing theme for the season, the O30 Team found themselves short of players, while the opposition had a small army of recruits at their disposal.  Of critical importance this time around; however, was the absence of an experienced net-minder for the green team.  Perhaps knowing that the jig was finally up, Herb Sherry relented and volunteered to don the gloves in the first half.  (Editor’s note:  Mr. Sherry is one of “those guys” – an accomplished goal keeper who played several seasons at UNC in the late 80s/early 90s, but fancies playing in the field over duties between the pipes.  The poor sap thought nobody was on to him, but now he has been outed.)  In any event, Mr. Tar Heel gave up two first half goals, so when Chris Wixson “tired” in the field, he relieved Sherry in the net.  In the second half, a foul in the box lead to a penalty kick that extended the Eagles’ advantage to 3-0.  However, on the restart following the penalty kick, Greg Boltz sent Rob Czop into the opposition’s box for an eminent collision with the hard charging keeper.  Czop, who barely qualifies as a paper weight, was sent flying by the sliding keeper.  Ironically, there was no call on the challenge, but a penalty kick was whistled when the keeper turned and barreled down Little Czop after collecting the ball.  No points for lack of intelligence.  Dan Briggs converted the penalty to pull one back for Green White.  Not long thereafter, GW was thought to have gotten another, when Czop crossed in to the far post, but John Christopher struck it off the crossbar.  Shortly after the missed opportunity, a bad touch from Keith Andersson sent the ball looping over Wixson for an own goal to make the final score 4-1 Eagles.  (Reporting contributions from Greg Boltz).

Squad:  Herb Sherry (k), Chris Wixson (k),  Keith Andersson, Greg Boltz, Stan Borione, Dan Briggs, John Christopher, Rob Czop, Mike Gressle, Brett Lasher, Pat Palbicke,  Ben Reeves, Nate Walker.    Goals:  D.Briggs 1 (assist: R.Czop).

On September 19, 2009, the Green White alte herren team looked to regain their form with a home match against Cracovia.  The first half; however, started slow for the home side as they struggled to find a rhythm.  The only good look at goal from the green team in the first half came from Art Caliskan when he hit the cross bar from in close.  The defense also had trouble sorting things out as Cracovia took the lead on a break away.  But in the second half, Green White strengthened their resolve to get back in the game.  Things looked brighter when Grant Smale played Todd Schneider wide right, allowing Schneider time to take a run at the defense.  Electing to drive the end line, Schneider rounded the flat-footed defender into the box before a clumsy challenge sent him to ground.  Smale was picked to take the PK, but his pushed effort was slapped wide of the mark to the jubilation of the Polish visitors.  But Green White was not to be denied on this day.  John Dunkas sent the ensuing corner kick to the back post where David Nichols out muscled the defense.  But Nichols got his direction wrong, heading it back to the six yard line instead of on frame.  Fortunately, the ball fell directly to Schneider who nodded it back for Nichols to flick in for the equalizer.  Back on level terms, Green White nearly completed the smash and grab with just second remaining when Roni Arusi poked the ball out of a crowd to Nichols on the left.  From a severe angle, Nichols just missed the upper 90 on the opposite side for what would have been the game winner.  In the end analysis, Green White certainly lifted their game in the second half, but were disappointed with a tie.  Along the way, the team withered in numbers losing Dan Rogan to a groin strain; Andy Finn to a shoulder injury; Bob Hynes to old age and John Dunkas to a welt on his shin the size of Mount Olympus.  But the hurt train was not all one way; as Nick Paul made it be known to all that Green White sticks tackles too.

Squad:  CJ (k), Doug Adams, Roni Arusi, Art Caliskan, John Dunkas, Andy Finn, Eric Gottung, Bob Hynes, David Nichols, Nick Paul, Dan Rogan, Todd Schneider, Cliff Sellie, Grant Smale, Jason Thodos, Paul Weaver, Chris Wellman.  Goals:  DNichols (asst. TSchneider). 

On September 13, 2009, the Green White First Team welcomed a young and bountiful Sockers FC squad to the friendly confines of Majewski Park for an afternoon run in the sun.  Before the match kicked off; however, many in the assembled crowed noticed a new sense of purpose from the team, with new coach Jake Truty running the squad through the pre-game paces.  And once underway, the new energy and attitude only continued as Green White jumped all over Sockers from the opening whistle.  Unfortunately, the home team hit a snag when Matt Connor had his pocket picked in the rear defense to allow a break away that resulted in the opening tally.  But to their credit, Green White maintained their poise in the collective as they pulled themselves back into the match.  And in the 65th minute their perseverance paid off when Sean Connor (sans the mustache) crossed in for Eric Speiss to pick out the left side of the net for the equalizer.  But then the armor began to crack.  First, Matt Connor pulled up lame and had to watch the remainder of the game from the bench with an ice bag.  Shortly thereafter, Connor’s partner in central defense, Bunnyray Larmond, limped off with a groin strain.  Later, both JP Reyes and Justin Dugena were observed to be cramping and Jamie Limna, who had finished a 12K earlier in the day, was seen to be stretching his calves at every opportunity.  Thankfully, a late arriving Tyson Masar, who apparently is new to the concept of the “no parking zone,” was on hand to spell the dwindling troops.  Yet despite the tiring legs, with just 10 minutes remaining, Green White took the match by the scruff of the neck in stunning fashion.  The series commenced when keeper Dan Caruso outlet to JP Reyes on the left.  From his position at the midfield stripe, Reyes eyed Matt “The Duke of Shine” Stukenberg in full gallop on the opposite side of the field.  With laser-like accuracy, Reyes hit Stukenberg from 40 yards just as he reached the box.  With equal skill, Stukenberg took the service in stride and volleyed into the middle where Sean Connor pounced upon it for the game winner as the crowd erupted with joy.  For the remaining nine minutes, Green White tightened their boots and successfully killed off the game to maintain their perfect record on the young season.

On September 13, 2009, the GW Reserve Team took on the Sockers Reserves at Majewski Park in what would prove to be a long afternoon for the team in green.  Indeed, the young Sockers raced out to a three goal lead in the first half, but GW were not without a few chances of their own.  Most notably, Rob Czop hit the woodwork early and Jon Duddles inexplicably lifted over the bar from two yards out.  In the second half, as Sockers poured in several more, Green White remained stymied when Chris Doran was denied by the cross bar and A.J. Nawrocki’s follow up was narrowly pushed wide by the keeper.  Still later, Keith Andersson served a free kick in from midfield that just eluded the head of Duddles at the far post.  But near the end of time, GW finally pulled one back when Doran carried to the top of the box, looking to put the ball on this right foot.  Seeing that avenue closed out, Doran held until finally slotting Nawrocki across the top.  Nawrocki laid it off for Duddles who picked out the corner to deny the clean sheet.  In the end, however, the referee took mercy upon the home side and called the game well short of full time without objection.     

On September 12, 2009, the Green White Over 30 Team hosted Lions at Majewski Park.  Green White entered the contest short staffed, fielding only nine regular cast members, but were buoyed by the addition of several new players.  The team got off to a great start when keeper Jimmy Dionne scored a goal on a punt (that’s right a punt).  With the wind at his back, Dionne booted a line drive that the Lions’ keeper misjudged and painfully watched  bounce over his head and into the net.  Unfortunately, the advantage was erased ten minutes later when Lions forged an attack down the right flank and turned in a cross that was met by a streaking volley into the back of the net.  Ten minutes later, Lions increased the lead on a strike from 30 yards out when Dionne lost sight of the ball in the sun.  GW added pressure in the second half as they pushed numbers forward in search of the equalizer.  The home side’s best chance came with 15 minutes remaining  when Dan Briggs made a great run down the wing and rounded the end line to cut the ball back to Mike Gressle sitting 10 yards out from goal.  But Seńor Totem Pole’s one time effort glanced off the cross bar and out for a goal kick.  The Lions sealed the victory in the waning minutes on a quick counter.  After a melee at the top of the box, a Lions player gained possession and fired the ball into the net from 18 yards out.  With the loss, the O30 Team dropped to 0-2 on the season.  (Reporting contributions from John Parsinen).

On September 12, 2009, the GWO40 team took their undefeated record on the road to Downers Grove, Illinois for a match against league leaders, Highlanders. Unfortunately, the visiting GW side were stretched thin for the match by injuries, kids’ games, the U2 concert and what was believed to be a Pat Nash date at the Disney on Ice show.  With so many players missing, GW strategized to shorten the field by allowing the explosive Highlander offense to cross midfield before challenging for the ball.  The strategy worked for a half as the two teams played to a scoreless draw through 40 minutes.  But following the break, a lack of discipline proved to be the undoing for the green team.  First, Todd Schneider needlessly gave away possession in the midfield when better options were available than the failed meg.  The resultant give-a-way allowed the Highlanders to walk in for an open look from the 18.  Keeper Armando Carlo had the powerful shot covered, but he spilled the collection, and in the ensuing scramble, Highlanders poked in the rebound. For much of the remainder of the match, the GW defense held tough behind the likes of Eric Gottung, Art Caliskan, Grant Smale and Russell Rosenberg. At the other end; however, GW could generate little offense and had to rely on set plays for their best opportunities.  In the first half, Pat Nash nearly tapped in a Todd Schneider corner.  In the second half, Grant Smale flashed wide with a header after calling off Dave Nichols on a free kick served in by Art Caliskan.  But in the end, the home team added a second on the counter with 10 minutes remaining to close out the game.  While Highlanders were the better team on the day, the referee’s shameless bias did not go unnoticed; most blatantly displayed when he blew the whistle for the half while Green White was on the beak.  Twenty seconds later, as the teams walked toward the benches, the alarm on his watch sounded, signaling the true end of time.  When challenged, his explanation was that GW didn’t have possession anyway, which was both factually incorrect and missed the point entirely.  Complaints have been lodge with the league office.