Barrington breaks out against Fremd
Fillies surpass goal total of first 3 games in 5-0 win
by Mike Garofola
BARRINGTON -- With all the hype and expectations surrounding the Barrington program this spring, and its first-rate attacking unit, the last thing Ryan Stengren expected was to see his club struggle to find the back of the net.
Oh sure, the Fillies opening week featured matches with high-profile clubs Naperville North and Neuqua Valley, but a lack of creativity in the run of play failed to generate any quality chances in the final third. That concerned the Barrington manager, who hoped one good night of attacking soccer might open up the flood gates.
It did Wednesday night in a home Mid-Suburban League match against Fremd. Barrington struck for five against the visiting Vikings and would have had a handful more if not for Fremd sophomore keeper Kelsie Stone, who was brilliant between the sticks all night long.
"It's what I was looking to happen the other night against Schaumburg. Tonight we finally looked a little bit more like I had expected throughout the midfield, and Ann Marie (Niro) getting forward with some urgency and purpose," Stengren said after the 5-0 victory on the turf at Barrington Community Stadium.
The waiting is the hardest part for the players too.
"I think it's going to take us time to really come together and play the way the coaches feel we can, as well as all of the players," offered Niro, who returned from club soccer for to play her final year of high school.
"(You're) starting to see the team get much closer - both on and off the field -- and that's a good way for the team to build more confidence in all of us. And I am sure it will translate into our games as well."
Niro, who is off to Notre Dame next fall, helped the home side dominate possession during most of the first half. Her swift passing exchanges with her all-state teammate Jenna Szczesny up top proved fatal for the Vikings (0-3-0, 0-1-0).
"I've watched Jenna for three years, and sometimes you don't realize just how fast and dangerous she was - but tonight she looked faster than ever," admitted Fremd manager Steve Keller.
"We had our troubles at times with (her), and we looked a little overwhelmed, especially in that first half. But I felt we came out and made a game of it after the break, despite conceding those three goals, one of which I am still not sure how it was ruled a goal."
That goal in which Keller spoke of came off a corner from Sophia Spinell that Haley Tausend somehow snuck over the line during a scrum to make it 3-0 - just moments after Barrington keeper Hannah Luedtke turned away a point-blank attempt from Danielle Money at the start of the second half.
"That could have made it 2-1, and everyone in this sport knows what can happen after that. But let's not think it may have altered the final result, because this was a night in which Barrington was clearly the better side, who deserved the win," said Keller.
Luedtke, who is a strong candidate to earn her second all-state award in late May, was called into action just once in this match, a credit to Jackie Batliner and her backline mates, who stalled the Vikings, and its top player, Katie Zara, time-after-time in the final third.
"I agree with Ann Marie. All of us are getting so much closer to each other, and becoming better friends," said Batliner. "It's the type of thing that will help us become so much better as a team as the season goes on."
Batliner is part of a revamped backline which features three new players in Stengren's first 11: sophomores Batliner, Tausend and Kayla Keck, and junior, Lauren Pircher. They are backed by Luedtke, easily one of the best in the state at her position.
"We had three seniors in the back last year (plus) Jackie, so there's obviously a breaking in period that all of them will have to go through before getting to the level we expect them to. Luckily we have Hannah back there to make that transision a little easier," said Stengren.
Wednesday night Batliner played more as an attacking back, jumping into the offense on the outside to give the Fillies what amounted to five midfielders going forward.
"We struggled defensively most of the night, especially in that first half where we looked a little overwhelmed with Barrington's speed and numbers," admitted Keller.
Annalise Avers got things started for Barrington. She created a gap for Szczesny to break clear on the right side in the 19th minute. From there the Loyola University-bound striker fired up and over Stone to give the home side the only goal it needed.
Fremd midfielder Jessica Kopec sent an attempt wide of Luedtke after some nice work from Zara and Sara Aftelak put her in close four minutes after the opening goal. But that would be it for the Vikings for the first half. Keller's crew was forced to defend a Fillies attack that grew in confidence with each visit into the final third.
Niro began to shred her opponents with several inch-perfect passes to her teammates. One of her best came when she put Kayla Schutter through, but the resulting driving shot at a wide-open net hit the post. Moments later however, the home side doubled its advantage off a well-struck corner from Spinell found Michayla Herr on the left side. The freshmen calmly hit a dipping one-timer the other way to make it 2-0 in the 32nd minute.
"It was good to finally see the girls be more creative in their play, and willing to take people on, and get into that final third. We still need to be better when we (get) there and finish a few more of those chances," said Stengren.
Keller moved the all-action Zara back into the midfield after intermission, hoping her vision and desire to get others involved would help inspire the Vikings attack, especially with a strong wind in their faces for the final 40 minutes.
Kopec and Aftelak, who has a powerful right-footed shot, were joined together up top at the same time of Zara's move, and although this switch created more speed and urgency in the visitors play, they still were unable to match the pace of the Fillies front seven, which continued to flood forward until Tausend slotted a Spinell corner under a diving Stone at 44 minutes - and Szczesny unloaded a 25-yard cracker on the full run to increase the Barrington lead to 4-0 in the 49th minute.
"Scoring like we did tonight provides a real confidence boost for all of us," admitted Niro.
Before sophomore Maesyn Poidomani put the icing on this victory with her late goal, Stengren began to bring most of his first 11 off, including Luedtke, who was replaced by freshman Samantha Schmitz with 15 minutes to go.
Fremd feels it will see a benefit from playing a tough early schedule.
"Barrington is a very good team, in fact we've play two good teams so far and we've come out on the short end of things (but) I've seen progress, even from being away at spring break since our opening loss to Lake Zurich," said an upbeat Zara. "And that's a positive we can take from tonight.
"We have several players back from last year, but many of them need some time to get used to the speed and physical play at this level.
"We have a great keeper (Kelsie Stone), who was amazing tonight. (We're) led by two seniors (Liz Flavin and Caroline Freeman) so we just have to continue to keep working to get better, in order to compete with great teams like Barrington, and to be stronger for the second half of the season."
Barrington (3-0-1, 2-0-0) will forge forward with the added weight of outside expectations.
"It's nice to have a team like we do, but being ranked so high, both in the state and Midwest is something I understand given our history of late, and the talent we have back. (But) it's not something any of us asked for, or expected," says Stengren.
"Ann Marie is correct. The team is getting a little better each time out because everyone still needs to get to know each other, and when I looked out there tonight, I realized we had only three returning field players starting (plus Hannah) - so that IS going to take some time for all of this to come together."
Barrington will be on the road next week at Elk Grove, before an important match with MSL West powerhouse Conant next Friday at home. The Vikings will travel to Schaumburg on Saturday for a noon encounter with the Saxons, before hosting MSL East Wheeling midweek.
Starting lineups
Fremd -
GK- Kelsie Stone
D- Liz Flavin
D- Caroline Freeman
D- Reilly Siepka
D- Annika Morin
MF- Kellie Halloran
MF- Jessica Kopec
MF- Emily Rogers
MF- Sarah Marturano
F- Katie Zara
F- Missy Adrian
Barrington -
GK: Hannah Luedtke
D- Jackie Batliner
D- Kayla Keck
D- Haley Tausend
D- Lauren Pircher
MF- Soph Spinell
MF- Ann Marie Niro
MF- Megan Fox
MF- Annalise Avers
F- Lauren Bulanda
F- Jenna Szczesny
MVP of the Match: Ann Marie Niro, MF, Barrington
Fillies surpass goal total of first 3 games in 5-0 win
by Mike Garofola
BARRINGTON -- With all the hype and expectations surrounding the Barrington program this spring, and its first-rate attacking unit, the last thing Ryan Stengren expected was to see his club struggle to find the back of the net.
Oh sure, the Fillies opening week featured matches with high-profile clubs Naperville North and Neuqua Valley, but a lack of creativity in the run of play failed to generate any quality chances in the final third. That concerned the Barrington manager, who hoped one good night of attacking soccer might open up the flood gates.
It did Wednesday night in a home Mid-Suburban League match against Fremd. Barrington struck for five against the visiting Vikings and would have had a handful more if not for Fremd sophomore keeper Kelsie Stone, who was brilliant between the sticks all night long.
"It's what I was looking to happen the other night against Schaumburg. Tonight we finally looked a little bit more like I had expected throughout the midfield, and Ann Marie (Niro) getting forward with some urgency and purpose," Stengren said after the 5-0 victory on the turf at Barrington Community Stadium.
The waiting is the hardest part for the players too.
"I think it's going to take us time to really come together and play the way the coaches feel we can, as well as all of the players," offered Niro, who returned from club soccer for to play her final year of high school.
"(You're) starting to see the team get much closer - both on and off the field -- and that's a good way for the team to build more confidence in all of us. And I am sure it will translate into our games as well."
Niro, who is off to Notre Dame next fall, helped the home side dominate possession during most of the first half. Her swift passing exchanges with her all-state teammate Jenna Szczesny up top proved fatal for the Vikings (0-3-0, 0-1-0).
"I've watched Jenna for three years, and sometimes you don't realize just how fast and dangerous she was - but tonight she looked faster than ever," admitted Fremd manager Steve Keller.
"We had our troubles at times with (her), and we looked a little overwhelmed, especially in that first half. But I felt we came out and made a game of it after the break, despite conceding those three goals, one of which I am still not sure how it was ruled a goal."
That goal in which Keller spoke of came off a corner from Sophia Spinell that Haley Tausend somehow snuck over the line during a scrum to make it 3-0 - just moments after Barrington keeper Hannah Luedtke turned away a point-blank attempt from Danielle Money at the start of the second half.
"That could have made it 2-1, and everyone in this sport knows what can happen after that. But let's not think it may have altered the final result, because this was a night in which Barrington was clearly the better side, who deserved the win," said Keller.
Luedtke, who is a strong candidate to earn her second all-state award in late May, was called into action just once in this match, a credit to Jackie Batliner and her backline mates, who stalled the Vikings, and its top player, Katie Zara, time-after-time in the final third.
"I agree with Ann Marie. All of us are getting so much closer to each other, and becoming better friends," said Batliner. "It's the type of thing that will help us become so much better as a team as the season goes on."
Batliner is part of a revamped backline which features three new players in Stengren's first 11: sophomores Batliner, Tausend and Kayla Keck, and junior, Lauren Pircher. They are backed by Luedtke, easily one of the best in the state at her position.
"We had three seniors in the back last year (plus) Jackie, so there's obviously a breaking in period that all of them will have to go through before getting to the level we expect them to. Luckily we have Hannah back there to make that transision a little easier," said Stengren.
Wednesday night Batliner played more as an attacking back, jumping into the offense on the outside to give the Fillies what amounted to five midfielders going forward.
"We struggled defensively most of the night, especially in that first half where we looked a little overwhelmed with Barrington's speed and numbers," admitted Keller.
Annalise Avers got things started for Barrington. She created a gap for Szczesny to break clear on the right side in the 19th minute. From there the Loyola University-bound striker fired up and over Stone to give the home side the only goal it needed.
Fremd midfielder Jessica Kopec sent an attempt wide of Luedtke after some nice work from Zara and Sara Aftelak put her in close four minutes after the opening goal. But that would be it for the Vikings for the first half. Keller's crew was forced to defend a Fillies attack that grew in confidence with each visit into the final third.
Niro began to shred her opponents with several inch-perfect passes to her teammates. One of her best came when she put Kayla Schutter through, but the resulting driving shot at a wide-open net hit the post. Moments later however, the home side doubled its advantage off a well-struck corner from Spinell found Michayla Herr on the left side. The freshmen calmly hit a dipping one-timer the other way to make it 2-0 in the 32nd minute.
"It was good to finally see the girls be more creative in their play, and willing to take people on, and get into that final third. We still need to be better when we (get) there and finish a few more of those chances," said Stengren.
Keller moved the all-action Zara back into the midfield after intermission, hoping her vision and desire to get others involved would help inspire the Vikings attack, especially with a strong wind in their faces for the final 40 minutes.
Kopec and Aftelak, who has a powerful right-footed shot, were joined together up top at the same time of Zara's move, and although this switch created more speed and urgency in the visitors play, they still were unable to match the pace of the Fillies front seven, which continued to flood forward until Tausend slotted a Spinell corner under a diving Stone at 44 minutes - and Szczesny unloaded a 25-yard cracker on the full run to increase the Barrington lead to 4-0 in the 49th minute.
"Scoring like we did tonight provides a real confidence boost for all of us," admitted Niro.
Before sophomore Maesyn Poidomani put the icing on this victory with her late goal, Stengren began to bring most of his first 11 off, including Luedtke, who was replaced by freshman Samantha Schmitz with 15 minutes to go.
Fremd feels it will see a benefit from playing a tough early schedule.
"Barrington is a very good team, in fact we've play two good teams so far and we've come out on the short end of things (but) I've seen progress, even from being away at spring break since our opening loss to Lake Zurich," said an upbeat Zara. "And that's a positive we can take from tonight.
"We have several players back from last year, but many of them need some time to get used to the speed and physical play at this level.
"We have a great keeper (Kelsie Stone), who was amazing tonight. (We're) led by two seniors (Liz Flavin and Caroline Freeman) so we just have to continue to keep working to get better, in order to compete with great teams like Barrington, and to be stronger for the second half of the season."
Barrington (3-0-1, 2-0-0) will forge forward with the added weight of outside expectations.
"It's nice to have a team like we do, but being ranked so high, both in the state and Midwest is something I understand given our history of late, and the talent we have back. (But) it's not something any of us asked for, or expected," says Stengren.
"Ann Marie is correct. The team is getting a little better each time out because everyone still needs to get to know each other, and when I looked out there tonight, I realized we had only three returning field players starting (plus Hannah) - so that IS going to take some time for all of this to come together."
Barrington will be on the road next week at Elk Grove, before an important match with MSL West powerhouse Conant next Friday at home. The Vikings will travel to Schaumburg on Saturday for a noon encounter with the Saxons, before hosting MSL East Wheeling midweek.
Starting lineups
Fremd -
GK- Kelsie Stone
D- Liz Flavin
D- Caroline Freeman
D- Reilly Siepka
D- Annika Morin
MF- Kellie Halloran
MF- Jessica Kopec
MF- Emily Rogers
MF- Sarah Marturano
F- Katie Zara
F- Missy Adrian
Barrington -
GK: Hannah Luedtke
D- Jackie Batliner
D- Kayla Keck
D- Haley Tausend
D- Lauren Pircher
MF- Soph Spinell
MF- Ann Marie Niro
MF- Megan Fox
MF- Annalise Avers
F- Lauren Bulanda
F- Jenna Szczesny
MVP of the Match: Ann Marie Niro, MF, Barrington