Fremd's Stein and Stone eager for the pitch
By Mike Garofola
It's good to hope.
That's what the Fremd duo of Mackenzie Stein and Caeleigh Stone are doing during this COVID-19 crisis.
There's plenty of hope to still have a season according to both players, but time moves too slowly for these two as they await the decision.
"Our team is so close," said Stone, who along with Stein, were both named to the 2020 Chicagoland Soccer All-State Watch List.
"We have daily group chats, I continue to work out to stay fit, but I miss seeing my teammates each day in the hallways, at training, and I miss (Fremd manager Steve) Keller. It's just so hard waiting around for the season to begin."
"I feel the same way," Stein said.
"When you’re used to being on a regular schedule of going to school, training after school, having games, well, all of us are going crazy."
The Vikings stars define what Fremd soccer is all about.
With high energy and work rates, the hard-playing, gritty players understand what Keller expects from his entire roster. These two are very good at what they do.
"(Keller) is tough, but he's fair, and he teaches so (you) much about the sport," said Stone. "I kind of saw that first hand when my sister was playing for him."
Two-time Chicagoland Soccer All-Stater Kelsie Stone was a brilliant keeper during her three seasons on the Vikings varsity. She is currently having a great career at Drake University.
Just before arriving at Fremd, Caleigh was a ball girl for the Vikings varsity games. The volunteer job proved invaluable when Keller placed her with him for her freshman season.
"The adjustment to playing on the varsity as a freshman was made a little easier for me because I was on the sidelines - chasing balls, watching the game and listening to what Keller would say to our players who were on the bench, or in the game, and at the half," recounted Stone.
Stein learned about the intensity.
"(Keller) scared me at times when I was a freshman, and to tell you the truth, there's moments when he still can do that do me. But we're very fortunate to have someone like him," she said.
"His knowledge of the game is unbelievable, and he teaches us the right way to play the game. I like the style of our play; it suits the way I like to play.
"What I like the best is how he helps build a close bond between all of us, and the way he relates to a bunch of teenaged girls is something we’ll always appreciate."
From the early stages of playing club with Palatine Celtic, along with current mates, Lauren Burk, Jenny Norris and others, Stein has dreamed of playing on the collegiate level.
With her father born and raised in Wisconsin, and the family making trips to the lake house of their aunt and uncle in Eagle River, Wis., it was only natural that Stein would choose to attend Wisconsin-Oshkosh next fall.
"I love that area. And with our family ties to that part of the state and the campus setting so perfect, it was an easy decision," said Stein, who also considered Wisconson-Platteville and Carthage.
In her spare time, she volunteers at Feed My Starving Children and works with players ages 3-12 as part of the Little Celtic youth program.
"It's fun to teach young kids the correct way to play and to have fun playing," said Stein, who works during the summer months and occasionally the school year.
Stone is onboard with Stein in regard to how much Keller has meant to her. She enjoys every minute of training, games and just being together with her friends. The team has become her second family.
"I saw first-hand what it was like to play soccer at Fremd from watching Kelsie,” said Stone, who has been a near double-digit goal scorer in her first two seasons as a forward in the Vikings first eleven.
“She is someone I always looked up to because of her competitiveness, her work ethic, and how it all helped turn her into such a great goalkeeper.
"Her love and passion for the sport is something I've tried to follow. (It's) the way Keller wants us to be as well. That's why we're all hoping we can still have some kind of a soccer season."
Caeleigh Stone has also been a longtime Palatine Celtic player. She began with the club when she was six years old and played up an age group or two. Once she was on the same squad as her sister.
"I always liked the challenge of playing against bigger and older players,” she said. “It's kind of toughened me up for high school."
Both players like the idea that has been floated around of an abbreviated spring season which would still include a postseason.
"I'm for that," said Stein and Stone in unison.
"Obviously for the 10 seniors on this team, being able to play in your last year is important,” Stein said. “It is for the others (too). We felt we had a team that could compete at a high level.
"We'll all continue to stay fit and ready with the hope of getting out there. Even if it's for just a few weeks."
By Mike Garofola
It's good to hope.
That's what the Fremd duo of Mackenzie Stein and Caeleigh Stone are doing during this COVID-19 crisis.
There's plenty of hope to still have a season according to both players, but time moves too slowly for these two as they await the decision.
"Our team is so close," said Stone, who along with Stein, were both named to the 2020 Chicagoland Soccer All-State Watch List.
"We have daily group chats, I continue to work out to stay fit, but I miss seeing my teammates each day in the hallways, at training, and I miss (Fremd manager Steve) Keller. It's just so hard waiting around for the season to begin."
"I feel the same way," Stein said.
"When you’re used to being on a regular schedule of going to school, training after school, having games, well, all of us are going crazy."
The Vikings stars define what Fremd soccer is all about.
With high energy and work rates, the hard-playing, gritty players understand what Keller expects from his entire roster. These two are very good at what they do.
"(Keller) is tough, but he's fair, and he teaches so (you) much about the sport," said Stone. "I kind of saw that first hand when my sister was playing for him."
Two-time Chicagoland Soccer All-Stater Kelsie Stone was a brilliant keeper during her three seasons on the Vikings varsity. She is currently having a great career at Drake University.
Just before arriving at Fremd, Caleigh was a ball girl for the Vikings varsity games. The volunteer job proved invaluable when Keller placed her with him for her freshman season.
"The adjustment to playing on the varsity as a freshman was made a little easier for me because I was on the sidelines - chasing balls, watching the game and listening to what Keller would say to our players who were on the bench, or in the game, and at the half," recounted Stone.
Stein learned about the intensity.
"(Keller) scared me at times when I was a freshman, and to tell you the truth, there's moments when he still can do that do me. But we're very fortunate to have someone like him," she said.
"His knowledge of the game is unbelievable, and he teaches us the right way to play the game. I like the style of our play; it suits the way I like to play.
"What I like the best is how he helps build a close bond between all of us, and the way he relates to a bunch of teenaged girls is something we’ll always appreciate."
From the early stages of playing club with Palatine Celtic, along with current mates, Lauren Burk, Jenny Norris and others, Stein has dreamed of playing on the collegiate level.
With her father born and raised in Wisconsin, and the family making trips to the lake house of their aunt and uncle in Eagle River, Wis., it was only natural that Stein would choose to attend Wisconsin-Oshkosh next fall.
"I love that area. And with our family ties to that part of the state and the campus setting so perfect, it was an easy decision," said Stein, who also considered Wisconson-Platteville and Carthage.
In her spare time, she volunteers at Feed My Starving Children and works with players ages 3-12 as part of the Little Celtic youth program.
"It's fun to teach young kids the correct way to play and to have fun playing," said Stein, who works during the summer months and occasionally the school year.
Stone is onboard with Stein in regard to how much Keller has meant to her. She enjoys every minute of training, games and just being together with her friends. The team has become her second family.
"I saw first-hand what it was like to play soccer at Fremd from watching Kelsie,” said Stone, who has been a near double-digit goal scorer in her first two seasons as a forward in the Vikings first eleven.
“She is someone I always looked up to because of her competitiveness, her work ethic, and how it all helped turn her into such a great goalkeeper.
"Her love and passion for the sport is something I've tried to follow. (It's) the way Keller wants us to be as well. That's why we're all hoping we can still have some kind of a soccer season."
Caeleigh Stone has also been a longtime Palatine Celtic player. She began with the club when she was six years old and played up an age group or two. Once she was on the same squad as her sister.
"I always liked the challenge of playing against bigger and older players,” she said. “It's kind of toughened me up for high school."
Both players like the idea that has been floated around of an abbreviated spring season which would still include a postseason.
"I'm for that," said Stein and Stone in unison.
"Obviously for the 10 seniors on this team, being able to play in your last year is important,” Stein said. “It is for the others (too). We felt we had a team that could compete at a high level.
"We'll all continue to stay fit and ready with the hope of getting out there. Even if it's for just a few weeks."