Fremd accentuates the positive
By Mike Garofola
With two moments of brilliance, Stevenson’s KiKi Van Zanten ended Fremd’s dream in sectionals last season.
The Patriots star went on to Notre Dame, where she played in 20 of 21 games and was the Fighting Irish’s fourth-leading scorer.
Fremd's performance on that fateful day was of sheer quality from a club which arrived at Grant Blaney Stadium in Buffalo Grove with no fear. Prior they sent off one opponent after another to advance.
The sense was there in advance of the 2020 campaign that something special was afoot. Who would have thought the challenge to mimic or surpass the previous season’s success would be squashed by a pandemic?
"When the season was postponed back in March, we still thought at some point we would be back out there," began Fremd manager Steve Keller, who was ready to start his 20th season in charge and entered the campaign with an impressive 264-130-42 overall record.
"At that time, we talked with the girls about staying in shape and being ready to go when things opened up.
"When the season was finally called off, we got everyone together on Zoom to talk and digest the news, (the) disappointment of it all but stressing the importance of keeping it all in perspective.
"The girls were obviously very sad and feeling down about not being able to play this spring, but we talked about the big picture in life," continued Keller.
Lauren Burk was one of 10 seniors on the roster.
"Keller, and (Kelsey) Havell (Vikings assistant) got us together all on Zoom to check in to see how we were handling the news and assured all of us we will get together this summer when it's safe," recounted the superb backline star, who wore the captains’ armband proudly last season with teammate Morgan Perkins.
"This was a tough way to go out, and definitely not the way I thought I'd end my time as a Fremd athlete.
"I'm not going on to play at Miami (Ohio) next fall, so it was extremely difficult for me to come to terms with the idea of not playing anymore.
"Fremd soccer was, and will always be, special to me.
"They can talk about taking away our season, but they cannot take away the family we have built during these past four seasons."
Burk, who along with the Vikings brilliant keeper Jenny Norris, and equally talented backliner Liz Prigge, were all named to the 2019 Chicagoland Soccer All-State Team as juniors.
"I think all of us always had that doubt in the back of our minds leading up to the cancellation of the season -- the (pandemic) numbers coming in just kept looking worse and worse," offered Norris, who will play next fall at the University of Duluth.
"All of us kept hoping and hoping, while staying connected in a variety of ways during that time by sharing positive thoughts, and just being there for each other to remind ourselves we always have hope.
"When the governor cancelled the remainder of the school year, I knew (then) there was no way we could get in a few games, let alone the season. This was without a doubt the most heart-breaking news to say the least.
"We had planned after that final whistle of 2019 to be bigger, better and stronger than our opponents in 2020. Getting to state was our goal, and to know that it's gone and the seniors will never have that opportunity, is beyond upsetting.
"Knowing I will never step foot on the field at Fremd, wearing that Fremd jersey with my teammates again truly brings tears to my eyes.
"I continue to have a difficult time with all of this, but anytime I think about it, I feel guilty, because I know in these times others are having it a lot worse than me."
Norris finished the 2019 campaign with a dazzling 0.58 goals against average and 14 clean-sheets in nearly 1,800 minutes of action.
Senior Mackenzie Stein, another three-year veteran for Keller, can recall moments from her career that bring an instant smile to her face, while on the flipside a few sad thoughts as well.
"There have been so many great memories for me," began the outstanding midfielder, who plans to start college at Wisconsin-Oshkosh in the fall. “But it was a tough blow when the news came, and to be honest, extremely hard to comprehend.
"I admit I was very upset.
"It felt like all of the hard work we all put in, and with the way last season ended, it hurts even more as a senior.
"We're still zooming and staying connected with each other. (Keller and Havell) told us to keep things positive, and that we'll do something together as a team, and I believe that helped lift our spirits."
Junior Caeleigh Stone, who will be one of several to take over in the spring of 2021, feels fortunate to be around such a wonderful group of senior leaders, who have helped guide the Vikings leading goal scorer.
"Last year alone: beating Barrington: getting so close to advancing into the supersectionals: all of our pasta parties; just being with my teammates each and every day; and being able to score some goals to help lead out team to victory," she said of the highlights.
"That said, my biggest disappointment from last season was if we lost, we would always say we'll get them next year.
"Not having that next year, I feel like I should have given more. It's very sad."
For the record, in addition to the aforementioned Burk, Norris, Liz Prigge, and Stein,
Emma Katovich, Maddie McCarthy, Maya Poyraz, Allie Prigge, Debbie Reynolds, and Claire Stewart all took part in the May 19 Fremd virtual graduation ceremonies.
That followed a special presentation in early May orchestrated by Keller and his staff.
"We celebrated our seniors with a drive-by parade and social distancing picture at the high school," recounted Keller.
"It was very special for all of us, and it really put a smile on their faces."
The seniors were presented with a poster, gift bag and balloon at their home when their teammates came calling.
"All of what had gone on these past few months will help all of our girls grow as people," Keller said.
"This is a sport, not life.
"I always talk to my teams about the two most important things in life, health and happiness.
"I do my best to stress these two points, and encourage them to recognize how fortunate they are in their lives."
By Mike Garofola
With two moments of brilliance, Stevenson’s KiKi Van Zanten ended Fremd’s dream in sectionals last season.
The Patriots star went on to Notre Dame, where she played in 20 of 21 games and was the Fighting Irish’s fourth-leading scorer.
Fremd's performance on that fateful day was of sheer quality from a club which arrived at Grant Blaney Stadium in Buffalo Grove with no fear. Prior they sent off one opponent after another to advance.
The sense was there in advance of the 2020 campaign that something special was afoot. Who would have thought the challenge to mimic or surpass the previous season’s success would be squashed by a pandemic?
"When the season was postponed back in March, we still thought at some point we would be back out there," began Fremd manager Steve Keller, who was ready to start his 20th season in charge and entered the campaign with an impressive 264-130-42 overall record.
"At that time, we talked with the girls about staying in shape and being ready to go when things opened up.
"When the season was finally called off, we got everyone together on Zoom to talk and digest the news, (the) disappointment of it all but stressing the importance of keeping it all in perspective.
"The girls were obviously very sad and feeling down about not being able to play this spring, but we talked about the big picture in life," continued Keller.
Lauren Burk was one of 10 seniors on the roster.
"Keller, and (Kelsey) Havell (Vikings assistant) got us together all on Zoom to check in to see how we were handling the news and assured all of us we will get together this summer when it's safe," recounted the superb backline star, who wore the captains’ armband proudly last season with teammate Morgan Perkins.
"This was a tough way to go out, and definitely not the way I thought I'd end my time as a Fremd athlete.
"I'm not going on to play at Miami (Ohio) next fall, so it was extremely difficult for me to come to terms with the idea of not playing anymore.
"Fremd soccer was, and will always be, special to me.
"They can talk about taking away our season, but they cannot take away the family we have built during these past four seasons."
Burk, who along with the Vikings brilliant keeper Jenny Norris, and equally talented backliner Liz Prigge, were all named to the 2019 Chicagoland Soccer All-State Team as juniors.
"I think all of us always had that doubt in the back of our minds leading up to the cancellation of the season -- the (pandemic) numbers coming in just kept looking worse and worse," offered Norris, who will play next fall at the University of Duluth.
"All of us kept hoping and hoping, while staying connected in a variety of ways during that time by sharing positive thoughts, and just being there for each other to remind ourselves we always have hope.
"When the governor cancelled the remainder of the school year, I knew (then) there was no way we could get in a few games, let alone the season. This was without a doubt the most heart-breaking news to say the least.
"We had planned after that final whistle of 2019 to be bigger, better and stronger than our opponents in 2020. Getting to state was our goal, and to know that it's gone and the seniors will never have that opportunity, is beyond upsetting.
"Knowing I will never step foot on the field at Fremd, wearing that Fremd jersey with my teammates again truly brings tears to my eyes.
"I continue to have a difficult time with all of this, but anytime I think about it, I feel guilty, because I know in these times others are having it a lot worse than me."
Norris finished the 2019 campaign with a dazzling 0.58 goals against average and 14 clean-sheets in nearly 1,800 minutes of action.
Senior Mackenzie Stein, another three-year veteran for Keller, can recall moments from her career that bring an instant smile to her face, while on the flipside a few sad thoughts as well.
"There have been so many great memories for me," began the outstanding midfielder, who plans to start college at Wisconsin-Oshkosh in the fall. “But it was a tough blow when the news came, and to be honest, extremely hard to comprehend.
"I admit I was very upset.
"It felt like all of the hard work we all put in, and with the way last season ended, it hurts even more as a senior.
"We're still zooming and staying connected with each other. (Keller and Havell) told us to keep things positive, and that we'll do something together as a team, and I believe that helped lift our spirits."
Junior Caeleigh Stone, who will be one of several to take over in the spring of 2021, feels fortunate to be around such a wonderful group of senior leaders, who have helped guide the Vikings leading goal scorer.
"Last year alone: beating Barrington: getting so close to advancing into the supersectionals: all of our pasta parties; just being with my teammates each and every day; and being able to score some goals to help lead out team to victory," she said of the highlights.
"That said, my biggest disappointment from last season was if we lost, we would always say we'll get them next year.
"Not having that next year, I feel like I should have given more. It's very sad."
For the record, in addition to the aforementioned Burk, Norris, Liz Prigge, and Stein,
Emma Katovich, Maddie McCarthy, Maya Poyraz, Allie Prigge, Debbie Reynolds, and Claire Stewart all took part in the May 19 Fremd virtual graduation ceremonies.
That followed a special presentation in early May orchestrated by Keller and his staff.
"We celebrated our seniors with a drive-by parade and social distancing picture at the high school," recounted Keller.
"It was very special for all of us, and it really put a smile on their faces."
The seniors were presented with a poster, gift bag and balloon at their home when their teammates came calling.
"All of what had gone on these past few months will help all of our girls grow as people," Keller said.
"This is a sport, not life.
"I always talk to my teams about the two most important things in life, health and happiness.
"I do my best to stress these two points, and encourage them to recognize how fortunate they are in their lives."