Fremd's Scesniak plans
to pay and play it forward
By Mike Garofola
With tactical flexibility in mind, players who can operate in nearly every system of the modern game are a manager’s dream.
Fremd’s Ashley Scesniak is one such player.
Her energy, pace, and vision has allowed the junior to play deeper at times alongside a holding teammate on the outside, or even in the role of striker.
But as always, Scesniak showed a tenacious side, which allowed her to chase down players, win tackles, and on the other side of the ball provide quality distribution and creativity to allow manager Steve Keller to deploy her all across the midfield.
"I was really excited about this spring season," said Scesniak, who along with teammate Caeleigh Stone, were brought onto the club as freshmen and proved to be key additions during their rookie seasons.
"We had a very talented roster. For me, I figured to be playing more as an attacking central midfielder, moving outside to help whenever I could. So it was big disappointment to see the season cancelled.
"(When) Keller got us all together for a Zoom meeting to confirm the year was over, he stressed how important it was for us to stay connected and to check in with other on a regular basis -- to keep a positive attitude with each day.
"It's hard of course to stay that way, I feel so bad for just a great group of seniors who have given so much to the team and program. It's something I'll remember to do next year when I take on more of a leadership role."
Scesniak said former teammates and those on the current club have shown to be the perfect mentors to model when she and Stone enter their fourth and final season next spring for the Vikings.
"Emma Spotak and Christy Murauskis came back from club to play their senior year with us last season, and not only did they help us win games, but they also gave all of us a boost with their play, work ethic and desire,” she said.
"This year, players like (Lauren) Burk, (Jenny) Norris, Allie and Liz (Prigge), Mack (Stein) who are now three-year players have been the same great leaders, so that's the player I want to be next season."
This chain of command is something Scesniak understands on a personal level as well; she has seven other siblings.
"It's never boring in our house," joked Scesniak, who bumps into four other sisters, and three brothers -- the oldest is 28 and the youngest 12.
"The 12-year-old has little use for soccer," said Scesniak, who competed in gymnastics before moving over to soccer full-time.
She planted her soccer roots with Palatine Celtic at the age of nine, switch to FCX out of Barrington for a total of four years. She settled at FC United, where Barrington’s Jen Devona is a is a teammate.
Scesniak’s plan is to play on the collegiate level. She has or will visit Ball State, Bowling Green, DePaul and UIC. She hopes to go into pediatrics or become a nurse practitioner.
"It will be something associated with kids after college," said Scesniak, who works with children through volunteer work at her church, where she devotes most of her time to special needs children.
"With a sister who has an intellectual learning disability, and was recently diagnosed with epilepsy, helping those kids at church is near and dear to me."
to pay and play it forward
By Mike Garofola
With tactical flexibility in mind, players who can operate in nearly every system of the modern game are a manager’s dream.
Fremd’s Ashley Scesniak is one such player.
Her energy, pace, and vision has allowed the junior to play deeper at times alongside a holding teammate on the outside, or even in the role of striker.
But as always, Scesniak showed a tenacious side, which allowed her to chase down players, win tackles, and on the other side of the ball provide quality distribution and creativity to allow manager Steve Keller to deploy her all across the midfield.
"I was really excited about this spring season," said Scesniak, who along with teammate Caeleigh Stone, were brought onto the club as freshmen and proved to be key additions during their rookie seasons.
"We had a very talented roster. For me, I figured to be playing more as an attacking central midfielder, moving outside to help whenever I could. So it was big disappointment to see the season cancelled.
"(When) Keller got us all together for a Zoom meeting to confirm the year was over, he stressed how important it was for us to stay connected and to check in with other on a regular basis -- to keep a positive attitude with each day.
"It's hard of course to stay that way, I feel so bad for just a great group of seniors who have given so much to the team and program. It's something I'll remember to do next year when I take on more of a leadership role."
Scesniak said former teammates and those on the current club have shown to be the perfect mentors to model when she and Stone enter their fourth and final season next spring for the Vikings.
"Emma Spotak and Christy Murauskis came back from club to play their senior year with us last season, and not only did they help us win games, but they also gave all of us a boost with their play, work ethic and desire,” she said.
"This year, players like (Lauren) Burk, (Jenny) Norris, Allie and Liz (Prigge), Mack (Stein) who are now three-year players have been the same great leaders, so that's the player I want to be next season."
This chain of command is something Scesniak understands on a personal level as well; she has seven other siblings.
"It's never boring in our house," joked Scesniak, who bumps into four other sisters, and three brothers -- the oldest is 28 and the youngest 12.
"The 12-year-old has little use for soccer," said Scesniak, who competed in gymnastics before moving over to soccer full-time.
She planted her soccer roots with Palatine Celtic at the age of nine, switch to FCX out of Barrington for a total of four years. She settled at FC United, where Barrington’s Jen Devona is a is a teammate.
Scesniak’s plan is to play on the collegiate level. She has or will visit Ball State, Bowling Green, DePaul and UIC. She hopes to go into pediatrics or become a nurse practitioner.
"It will be something associated with kids after college," said Scesniak, who works with children through volunteer work at her church, where she devotes most of her time to special needs children.
"With a sister who has an intellectual learning disability, and was recently diagnosed with epilepsy, helping those kids at church is near and dear to me."