Palatine takes Kinsella Cup
from Fremd with early strike
Ballasco's 4th-minute goal gives Pirates treasured trophy
By Mike Garofola
PALATINE -- Palatine recorded a straight-forward 1-0 victory aainst host Fremd early Friday evening, thanks to a quick Johan Ballasco finish, that gained back the Kinsella Cup in its 20th renewal.
The trophy is named after Jimmy Kinsella, who co-founded the Palatine Celtic Soccer Club after coming to America from Scotland in 1953. The organization set the foundation for Palatine's reputation as a soccer stronghold. Of the 47 players on the rosters for the Cup match, more than half had ties to the Celtic club. Kinsella passed away in 2005 at the age of 83.
"I remember back when Jerry (Pagnani, longtime Fremd head coach, and current assistant) brought the (Kinsella Cup) back (after a break in the series), and how much it meant to all of us - and especially (Jimmy Kinsella) who got so much enjoyment out of watching these two clubs battle it out on the soccer pitch," began Pirates manager, Willie Filian, who has seen many, if not all, of the memorable matches in this affair during his 26 years as head man for the boys program.
"So watching the boys before, then after they lifted the (Cup) today, you realize just how important winning this thing still is, (and) I would imagine that Jimmy is still thrilled and happy that the players of today put so much on playing and winning this game."
It is not an easy task to come away with a Kinsella victory. Now 10 results have been decided by one goal with four draws along the way. With the victory, Palatine crept closer to Fremd and trails 9-7 in the all-time series record book.
"We know most of the guys who were playing out there today, so that makes it more special of a game," said Pirates backline star Liam Obernesser, who along with co-Man of the Match Matthew Mayer are also Celtic players.
"We wanted to bring the Kinsella Cup back home after losing it the past two seasons, and during our senior year with many other seniors on this team," added Mayer.
The duo were key figures in the Pirates (8-3-1, 5-3-0) success story on the turf at Hale Hildebrandt Field, playing box-to-box during a fast-paced, hard-fought 80 minutes, which featured plenty of voracious challenges, on the ground and in the air, affected by a relentless north wind that would influence the eventual outcome.
"Coach (Charlie) Gries pulled us aside before the coin toss to tell us to take the wind if we win the toss. We knew with that advantage, we could create a ton of long throws and dead balls for ourselves, and maybe put one or two in," said Obernesser.
Chimed in Mayer with a wry smile: "Let's face it, (it's) the bread-and-butter of Palatine soccer."
True to form, the Pirates struck gold on a long throw, a fourth-consecutive deep throw against the Vikings (5-10-1, 3-3-1) and one of 18 during the first period for the visitors.
"You know your going to be in for it when Palatine has the wind, and one as strong as it was tonight, because they live for dead-ball chances," began junior Luke Schoffstall, who took a beating up top from Obernesser, Mayer, Joe Stanridge and Jonathan Inez Rodriguez whenever the Vkings leading scorer had a touch in the Pirates area.
"We didn't do a very good job of defending in our end during that first half by allowing so many long throws, and it was one bad mistake that cost us (then) and later, the game."
The Vikings couldn't quite get a handle of Obernesser's throw from the near touchline, and when the home side allowed the ball to spill freely at back post, the opportunistic Ballasco slotted under a diving Michael Kramer, who extended fully to his left, but was unable to get a keeper glove on the low attempt.
Mayer was credited with the goal by the stadium announcer, but he quickly gave the spoils to his teammate during his post-game interview.
"I'm not taking away a goal from Johan, he got it, and deserved it!" Mayer said.
The Pirates strong start immediately put the home side on its heels, and one long throw after another kept them under duress for the better part of the first 40 minutes, forcing Kramer, and his backline mates, Ryan Rowden, Jake Arbour and Bobby Burk to defend with all their might.
A handful of quality half chances on frame by Sebastian Fraczek, Gustavo Ocampo, Ballasco and Mayer kept Kramer alert, while an counter by Schoffstall to Max Clark nearly caught the Pirates backline napping, and forced visiting keeper, Michael Jensen to roam far off his line to turn away Clark's low-driven blast at 8 minutes.
"When your chasing so early, and especially with the wind, which played into the strength of Palatine, you're likely in trouble," said Fremd coach Steve Keller. "But I was pleased we kept (it) to a one-goal advantage heading into the break, knowing the wind would then be in our favor after the half.
"However, except for a couple of chances, we didn't really create a single dangerous chance, and just a few half chances (because) we lacked the spirit and drive to do those sorts of things.
"We continue to have physical and mental breakdowns which ulitmately cost us, and today was no different."
The Vikings were unable to duplicate the high volume of throws of their counterparts during the second period, and when they did - they lacked the pace and distance of Obernesser's bombs.
Fremd's Tyler Alfirivic did find Rowden after an early throw-in, but the Pirates backline quickly closed as a unit, conceding a corner which turned out to be harmless at 51 minutes.
But in the same minute, Schoffstall put in a sharp individual effort and let fly a magnificent left-footed angled cracker from the near side. At first glance, it appeared to be ticketed for arrival in the far upper 90 until a late jump in the shot sent it just over the woodwork.
"Yeah, I thought it was going in for sure when I took it," said Schoffstall of his attempt.
Palatine howled when they thought they saw a handball in the Vikings box in the 73rd minute, but the only call in the stadium that mattered was that of the center official, who waved off the call and then spent a moment or two calming down both Filian and Gries, who persisted with their argument.
Soon after Fremd's Lefevre whipped in a late lashing attempt at second half Palatine keeper Dylan Ruzbasan, but the senor held on as if he had super glue on his keeper gloves.
That would be the second, and last chance on frame for the Vikings, who are now 0-3-1 in their last four MSL fixtures.
"This game is kind of the story of our year thus far," began Schoffstall.
"Fifteen minutes here and there of quality soccer, then a mistake or two at the same time, which, lately seems to be our downfall."
Added Keller: "We had a few moments, but except for the usual guys, plus some very good work in the second half from Rowden and Dalton Rogers, we didn't get the effort needed to challenge for a victory in a game like this."
The Vikings can alter the race in the MSL East when they travel to Wheeling next Tuesday, which is chasing Buffalo Grove, and it's five-point advantage, heading into the final two week of the regular season.
Starting lineups
Palatine
GK - Michael Jensen
D- Matthew Mayer
D- Joseph Stanridge
D- Liam Obernesser
D- Jonathan Inez Rodriguez
MF- Johan Ballasco
MF- Daniel Pacheo
MF- Philip Huynh
MF- Sebastian Fraczek
F- George Soipan
F- Tadeo Lara
Fremd
GK- Michael Kramer
D- Ryan Rowden
D- Jake Arbour
D- Bobby Burk
MF- Seiya Iguchi
MF- Tyler Alfirivic
MF- Rohan Menon
MF- James Lefevre
MF- Ben Cuthbert
F- Luke Schoffstall
F- Max Clark
Men-of-the-Match
Matthew Mayer, DMF, Palatine
Liam Obernesser D, Palatine
from Fremd with early strike
Ballasco's 4th-minute goal gives Pirates treasured trophy
By Mike Garofola
PALATINE -- Palatine recorded a straight-forward 1-0 victory aainst host Fremd early Friday evening, thanks to a quick Johan Ballasco finish, that gained back the Kinsella Cup in its 20th renewal.
The trophy is named after Jimmy Kinsella, who co-founded the Palatine Celtic Soccer Club after coming to America from Scotland in 1953. The organization set the foundation for Palatine's reputation as a soccer stronghold. Of the 47 players on the rosters for the Cup match, more than half had ties to the Celtic club. Kinsella passed away in 2005 at the age of 83.
"I remember back when Jerry (Pagnani, longtime Fremd head coach, and current assistant) brought the (Kinsella Cup) back (after a break in the series), and how much it meant to all of us - and especially (Jimmy Kinsella) who got so much enjoyment out of watching these two clubs battle it out on the soccer pitch," began Pirates manager, Willie Filian, who has seen many, if not all, of the memorable matches in this affair during his 26 years as head man for the boys program.
"So watching the boys before, then after they lifted the (Cup) today, you realize just how important winning this thing still is, (and) I would imagine that Jimmy is still thrilled and happy that the players of today put so much on playing and winning this game."
It is not an easy task to come away with a Kinsella victory. Now 10 results have been decided by one goal with four draws along the way. With the victory, Palatine crept closer to Fremd and trails 9-7 in the all-time series record book.
"We know most of the guys who were playing out there today, so that makes it more special of a game," said Pirates backline star Liam Obernesser, who along with co-Man of the Match Matthew Mayer are also Celtic players.
"We wanted to bring the Kinsella Cup back home after losing it the past two seasons, and during our senior year with many other seniors on this team," added Mayer.
The duo were key figures in the Pirates (8-3-1, 5-3-0) success story on the turf at Hale Hildebrandt Field, playing box-to-box during a fast-paced, hard-fought 80 minutes, which featured plenty of voracious challenges, on the ground and in the air, affected by a relentless north wind that would influence the eventual outcome.
"Coach (Charlie) Gries pulled us aside before the coin toss to tell us to take the wind if we win the toss. We knew with that advantage, we could create a ton of long throws and dead balls for ourselves, and maybe put one or two in," said Obernesser.
Chimed in Mayer with a wry smile: "Let's face it, (it's) the bread-and-butter of Palatine soccer."
True to form, the Pirates struck gold on a long throw, a fourth-consecutive deep throw against the Vikings (5-10-1, 3-3-1) and one of 18 during the first period for the visitors.
"You know your going to be in for it when Palatine has the wind, and one as strong as it was tonight, because they live for dead-ball chances," began junior Luke Schoffstall, who took a beating up top from Obernesser, Mayer, Joe Stanridge and Jonathan Inez Rodriguez whenever the Vkings leading scorer had a touch in the Pirates area.
"We didn't do a very good job of defending in our end during that first half by allowing so many long throws, and it was one bad mistake that cost us (then) and later, the game."
The Vikings couldn't quite get a handle of Obernesser's throw from the near touchline, and when the home side allowed the ball to spill freely at back post, the opportunistic Ballasco slotted under a diving Michael Kramer, who extended fully to his left, but was unable to get a keeper glove on the low attempt.
Mayer was credited with the goal by the stadium announcer, but he quickly gave the spoils to his teammate during his post-game interview.
"I'm not taking away a goal from Johan, he got it, and deserved it!" Mayer said.
The Pirates strong start immediately put the home side on its heels, and one long throw after another kept them under duress for the better part of the first 40 minutes, forcing Kramer, and his backline mates, Ryan Rowden, Jake Arbour and Bobby Burk to defend with all their might.
A handful of quality half chances on frame by Sebastian Fraczek, Gustavo Ocampo, Ballasco and Mayer kept Kramer alert, while an counter by Schoffstall to Max Clark nearly caught the Pirates backline napping, and forced visiting keeper, Michael Jensen to roam far off his line to turn away Clark's low-driven blast at 8 minutes.
"When your chasing so early, and especially with the wind, which played into the strength of Palatine, you're likely in trouble," said Fremd coach Steve Keller. "But I was pleased we kept (it) to a one-goal advantage heading into the break, knowing the wind would then be in our favor after the half.
"However, except for a couple of chances, we didn't really create a single dangerous chance, and just a few half chances (because) we lacked the spirit and drive to do those sorts of things.
"We continue to have physical and mental breakdowns which ulitmately cost us, and today was no different."
The Vikings were unable to duplicate the high volume of throws of their counterparts during the second period, and when they did - they lacked the pace and distance of Obernesser's bombs.
Fremd's Tyler Alfirivic did find Rowden after an early throw-in, but the Pirates backline quickly closed as a unit, conceding a corner which turned out to be harmless at 51 minutes.
But in the same minute, Schoffstall put in a sharp individual effort and let fly a magnificent left-footed angled cracker from the near side. At first glance, it appeared to be ticketed for arrival in the far upper 90 until a late jump in the shot sent it just over the woodwork.
"Yeah, I thought it was going in for sure when I took it," said Schoffstall of his attempt.
Palatine howled when they thought they saw a handball in the Vikings box in the 73rd minute, but the only call in the stadium that mattered was that of the center official, who waved off the call and then spent a moment or two calming down both Filian and Gries, who persisted with their argument.
Soon after Fremd's Lefevre whipped in a late lashing attempt at second half Palatine keeper Dylan Ruzbasan, but the senor held on as if he had super glue on his keeper gloves.
That would be the second, and last chance on frame for the Vikings, who are now 0-3-1 in their last four MSL fixtures.
"This game is kind of the story of our year thus far," began Schoffstall.
"Fifteen minutes here and there of quality soccer, then a mistake or two at the same time, which, lately seems to be our downfall."
Added Keller: "We had a few moments, but except for the usual guys, plus some very good work in the second half from Rowden and Dalton Rogers, we didn't get the effort needed to challenge for a victory in a game like this."
The Vikings can alter the race in the MSL East when they travel to Wheeling next Tuesday, which is chasing Buffalo Grove, and it's five-point advantage, heading into the final two week of the regular season.
Starting lineups
Palatine
GK - Michael Jensen
D- Matthew Mayer
D- Joseph Stanridge
D- Liam Obernesser
D- Jonathan Inez Rodriguez
MF- Johan Ballasco
MF- Daniel Pacheo
MF- Philip Huynh
MF- Sebastian Fraczek
F- George Soipan
F- Tadeo Lara
Fremd
GK- Michael Kramer
D- Ryan Rowden
D- Jake Arbour
D- Bobby Burk
MF- Seiya Iguchi
MF- Tyler Alfirivic
MF- Rohan Menon
MF- James Lefevre
MF- Ben Cuthbert
F- Luke Schoffstall
F- Max Clark
Men-of-the-Match
Matthew Mayer, DMF, Palatine
Liam Obernesser D, Palatine