Stollfus, Hager pairing a plus for Hersey
By Mike Garofola
Mike Rusniak is a lucky man.
In Emma Hager and Claire Stollfus, the Hersey manager has the best of both worlds with a keeper tandem who not only bring quality between the sticks, but also terrific leadership, class, and a friendship which goes back before the two entered kindergarten.
"Just talking to them for a few minutes, you know right away both girls are great young people," began Rusniak.
"But for two players to be in the same grade, and playing the same position, it's never been about ego, or should our no. 1. They're great teammates and friends who support one another on and off the field."
The two first met when taking part in ballet lessons at the McDonald's Dance Academy in Arlington Heights while in preschool. They formed an air-tight bond when in the same fourth grade class at Olive Elementary School.
Each played soccer for the Arlington Aces and then moved to Elite Soccer Club, where they were both on the same squad for a time.
"It wasn't a big deal for us to play the same position, and on the same team; (it) was all about being two great friends who wanted the other to their absolute best when training, and in games," Stollfus said.
Added Hager: "I just loved being able to be on the same teams as Claire and to be able to travel together to tournaments, We just never had that rivalry thing between us, because we both wanted to be the best whenever we were out there.
"We split time in goal, traveled together to tournaments, trained (together).”
But a strong belief in one’s own ability also needs the daily chores of making important saves and keeping the sheets clean. This dynamic duo has done just that as they helped lead their club into the MSL Soccer Bowl against Barrington.
"Emma radiates positive energy that is contagious,” Rusniak said. “Claire, always with a smile on her face, is so focused and dialed in when the game begins."
Hager played 17 games a year ago and Stollfus a half dozen. The duo helped their club collect seven shutouts and sport a goals against average of one per contest.
"Advancing into the Soccer Bowl, which is not an easy thing to do in our conference, was easily one of the biggest highlights of last season, up there with there with my save of a PK against Prospect to give us the MSL East Division title," said Hager.
The Huskies needed a draw or win to close in its season finale in order to close out both Buffalo Grove and Prospect. It was Hager who stepped up when it counted most with her brilliant game-saving spot-kick stop to help the Huskies earn a 0-0 draw with the Lady Knights.
"Emma is never rattled in the net, and she has that unique quality that strong keepers have of not allowing any individual moment define her, whether in a PK situation or an unlucky goal conceded," Rusniak said.
Hager said Wisconsin-Whitewater checked all of the boxes on her wish list. She chose the school over Carthage and Wisconsin-Platteville. The three-year varsity veteran will pursue a degree in sports marketing.
Hager, who will have an opportunity to earn a spot in Whitewater’s first 11, previously split time with her best friend. She put her focus on being a goalkeeper at the age of 12.
"I didn't mind being a field player while Claire was in goal for us, but the thing I like so much about the (GK) position is being in pressure situations when it really counts for my team and teammates," said Hager, who also played basketball through her sophomore year.
Stollfus is a two-sport athlete who stuck with basketball. She played on the varsity squad and its superb longtime head coach, Mary Fendley, who led Hersey to MSL East and regional titles last season.
"I absolutely loved playing for coach Fendley,” Stollfus said. “She taught me so much about the game and life in general. I'll miss that so much.
"The way I felt about coach (Fendley) is the same thing with (Rusniak) who has done a great job of bringing 16-17-year-old teenaged girls together to form a strong bond, while at the same time making us play together and have fun at the same time."
While serving in a back-up role, the attitude put forth by Stollfus in nothing short of extraordinary.
"You always want to be starting, but as Emma's best friend and teammate, my job
is to help her be her best,” Stollfus said. “And I know she feels the same way about me, because it's important that I am always ready should I be needed."
"Claire has always been a team first kind of person who pushes (Emma) and her other teammates around her,” Rusniak said. “This is clearly seen in the intensity she brings to practice, not only in soccer, but also as a basketball player as well."
Stollfus, who, at the suggestion of Hager began using yoga as a way to stay fit while adding strength to her core, chose Iowa over Indiana as her college choice. She will head into the nursing program there.
The hopeful wait for the season ended with the IHSA cancellation announcement April 21. The decision was hard to take but understood.
"It's been hard not being able to play,” Hager said. “We all felt like this team could do a lot of great things this season.”
By Mike Garofola
Mike Rusniak is a lucky man.
In Emma Hager and Claire Stollfus, the Hersey manager has the best of both worlds with a keeper tandem who not only bring quality between the sticks, but also terrific leadership, class, and a friendship which goes back before the two entered kindergarten.
"Just talking to them for a few minutes, you know right away both girls are great young people," began Rusniak.
"But for two players to be in the same grade, and playing the same position, it's never been about ego, or should our no. 1. They're great teammates and friends who support one another on and off the field."
The two first met when taking part in ballet lessons at the McDonald's Dance Academy in Arlington Heights while in preschool. They formed an air-tight bond when in the same fourth grade class at Olive Elementary School.
Each played soccer for the Arlington Aces and then moved to Elite Soccer Club, where they were both on the same squad for a time.
"It wasn't a big deal for us to play the same position, and on the same team; (it) was all about being two great friends who wanted the other to their absolute best when training, and in games," Stollfus said.
Added Hager: "I just loved being able to be on the same teams as Claire and to be able to travel together to tournaments, We just never had that rivalry thing between us, because we both wanted to be the best whenever we were out there.
"We split time in goal, traveled together to tournaments, trained (together).”
But a strong belief in one’s own ability also needs the daily chores of making important saves and keeping the sheets clean. This dynamic duo has done just that as they helped lead their club into the MSL Soccer Bowl against Barrington.
"Emma radiates positive energy that is contagious,” Rusniak said. “Claire, always with a smile on her face, is so focused and dialed in when the game begins."
Hager played 17 games a year ago and Stollfus a half dozen. The duo helped their club collect seven shutouts and sport a goals against average of one per contest.
"Advancing into the Soccer Bowl, which is not an easy thing to do in our conference, was easily one of the biggest highlights of last season, up there with there with my save of a PK against Prospect to give us the MSL East Division title," said Hager.
The Huskies needed a draw or win to close in its season finale in order to close out both Buffalo Grove and Prospect. It was Hager who stepped up when it counted most with her brilliant game-saving spot-kick stop to help the Huskies earn a 0-0 draw with the Lady Knights.
"Emma is never rattled in the net, and she has that unique quality that strong keepers have of not allowing any individual moment define her, whether in a PK situation or an unlucky goal conceded," Rusniak said.
Hager said Wisconsin-Whitewater checked all of the boxes on her wish list. She chose the school over Carthage and Wisconsin-Platteville. The three-year varsity veteran will pursue a degree in sports marketing.
Hager, who will have an opportunity to earn a spot in Whitewater’s first 11, previously split time with her best friend. She put her focus on being a goalkeeper at the age of 12.
"I didn't mind being a field player while Claire was in goal for us, but the thing I like so much about the (GK) position is being in pressure situations when it really counts for my team and teammates," said Hager, who also played basketball through her sophomore year.
Stollfus is a two-sport athlete who stuck with basketball. She played on the varsity squad and its superb longtime head coach, Mary Fendley, who led Hersey to MSL East and regional titles last season.
"I absolutely loved playing for coach Fendley,” Stollfus said. “She taught me so much about the game and life in general. I'll miss that so much.
"The way I felt about coach (Fendley) is the same thing with (Rusniak) who has done a great job of bringing 16-17-year-old teenaged girls together to form a strong bond, while at the same time making us play together and have fun at the same time."
While serving in a back-up role, the attitude put forth by Stollfus in nothing short of extraordinary.
"You always want to be starting, but as Emma's best friend and teammate, my job
is to help her be her best,” Stollfus said. “And I know she feels the same way about me, because it's important that I am always ready should I be needed."
"Claire has always been a team first kind of person who pushes (Emma) and her other teammates around her,” Rusniak said. “This is clearly seen in the intensity she brings to practice, not only in soccer, but also as a basketball player as well."
Stollfus, who, at the suggestion of Hager began using yoga as a way to stay fit while adding strength to her core, chose Iowa over Indiana as her college choice. She will head into the nursing program there.
The hopeful wait for the season ended with the IHSA cancellation announcement April 21. The decision was hard to take but understood.
"It's been hard not being able to play,” Hager said. “We all felt like this team could do a lot of great things this season.”