Fremd too slick for talented Stevenson
By Mike Garofola
PALATINE -- Top-seed Fremd unleashed all of its attacking arsenal during a breathtaking 20 minutes when it struck for a trio of goals in four minutes en route to its 5-1 victory Tuesday night in a sectional semifinal win over Stevenson.
"It was great to see (that) kind of performance from the guys tonight," said pleased Vikings manager Steve Keller, whose club will now host second-seeded Barrington at 6 p.m. Friday in the sectional final. “(It's) something that's been missing on a regular basis. When you combine that type of effort from our attack, along with solid defending - a result like this is something we can expect.”
"We all know we're capable of playing this way each time we come out, but we haven't," added senior Vikings four-year varsity member Eli Schoffstall, who scored the opener in the 36th minute for his 34th varsity goal. “It felt great to see all of us play the way we did tonight.”
The feeling was decidedly less upbeat on the opposing bench.
"We struggled with their pressure, physical presence and all of the varsity experience they have on their roster," said Stevenson manager Pepe Jon Chavez, who has done a marvelous job in turning around the girls program at Stevenson and is well on his way to doing the same with the boys. “When we equalized just after the break, I thought it would provide the inspiration we would need to compete for a victory.”
Senior Daniel Saltzman brought the Patriots faithful to their feet with an extraordinary half-volley first-timer in the 47th minute to level the proceedings, but that concluded the visitors’ offensive output.
Brilliant strikes from Leo Akashi began Fremd’s drive to the win. The first came in the 53rd minute after a terrific build-up from Schoffstall, Ryan Sapiente and Demetri Vhalos.
The junior doubled the Vikings (17-2-1) advantage 60 seconds later from 16 yards. Caden Statz joined in on the fun with nifty half-volley after a block of a shot on the way in.
With an hour gone and the Patriots (15-3-4) down three goals, the teams emptied their benches for their reserves to experience postseason soccer, and in Fremd’s case for rest in anticipation of the final with its league rival.
Junior Will Mayer would steered in a Vhahos helper in the 65th minute to finish the scoring.
"Beck (Smolak) and Adrian (Blonski) were real solid for us as our central defenders as were our two outside backs Braden Roos and Statz. That's where it begins for us, along the back," said Keller.
Stevenson was gracious in defeat.
"We were beaten by the better team tonight. That happens all of the time in this sport," said Chavez. “But we'll continue to work to improve, with an eye on getting back into this game next season.”
By Mike Garofola
PALATINE -- Top-seed Fremd unleashed all of its attacking arsenal during a breathtaking 20 minutes when it struck for a trio of goals in four minutes en route to its 5-1 victory Tuesday night in a sectional semifinal win over Stevenson.
"It was great to see (that) kind of performance from the guys tonight," said pleased Vikings manager Steve Keller, whose club will now host second-seeded Barrington at 6 p.m. Friday in the sectional final. “(It's) something that's been missing on a regular basis. When you combine that type of effort from our attack, along with solid defending - a result like this is something we can expect.”
"We all know we're capable of playing this way each time we come out, but we haven't," added senior Vikings four-year varsity member Eli Schoffstall, who scored the opener in the 36th minute for his 34th varsity goal. “It felt great to see all of us play the way we did tonight.”
The feeling was decidedly less upbeat on the opposing bench.
"We struggled with their pressure, physical presence and all of the varsity experience they have on their roster," said Stevenson manager Pepe Jon Chavez, who has done a marvelous job in turning around the girls program at Stevenson and is well on his way to doing the same with the boys. “When we equalized just after the break, I thought it would provide the inspiration we would need to compete for a victory.”
Senior Daniel Saltzman brought the Patriots faithful to their feet with an extraordinary half-volley first-timer in the 47th minute to level the proceedings, but that concluded the visitors’ offensive output.
Brilliant strikes from Leo Akashi began Fremd’s drive to the win. The first came in the 53rd minute after a terrific build-up from Schoffstall, Ryan Sapiente and Demetri Vhalos.
The junior doubled the Vikings (17-2-1) advantage 60 seconds later from 16 yards. Caden Statz joined in on the fun with nifty half-volley after a block of a shot on the way in.
With an hour gone and the Patriots (15-3-4) down three goals, the teams emptied their benches for their reserves to experience postseason soccer, and in Fremd’s case for rest in anticipation of the final with its league rival.
Junior Will Mayer would steered in a Vhahos helper in the 65th minute to finish the scoring.
"Beck (Smolak) and Adrian (Blonski) were real solid for us as our central defenders as were our two outside backs Braden Roos and Statz. That's where it begins for us, along the back," said Keller.
Stevenson was gracious in defeat.
"We were beaten by the better team tonight. That happens all of the time in this sport," said Chavez. “But we'll continue to work to improve, with an eye on getting back into this game next season.”