Game recap: Fremd tops Palatine
to retain Kinsella Cup
By Mike Garofola
PALATINE -- Fremd will keep the coveted Kinsella Cup for a third-consecutive year following its 2-0 victory over cross-town rival Palatine on Tuesday night at Hildebrandt Field.
This edition of the always-entertaining derby marked the final Kinsella Cup appearance for Willie Filian as Palatine manager. He retirement at the end of the current school year ends a glorious career with both the boys and girls programs that began in 1988.
"Willie will be missed in our conference, and all around the state. He brought a unique style of play to Palatine, one which nobody ever wanted to face, especially in the postseason," said Fremd manager Steve Keller, whose club has won seven of the last 10 Kinsella Cup affairs.
"Many people do not know that the Kinsella Cup was suspended for a few year due to several incidents between fans and players before and after the games," Filian recounted. "It wasn't until Gerardo Pagnani requested to bring back the game during the 1995-1996 school year that the series restarted.
"The 2004 game is one that I will always remember, because it was one of the last times that Mr. Kinsella came down onto the field to award the Cup.
"He was such a classy gentlemen, and a person who meant so much to the sport and his beloved Celtic Soccer Club. His legend will live forever."
"It's always a game that all of us look forward to playing," said Vikings senior Lily Spotak, who was one of at least seven players from Palatine who shared an early link in the sport. "It's the chance to play against girls many of us have known for such a long time because of our ties to playing for the Celtic Soccer Club."
Vikings Cami Tofilon, and Kylie Williams provided all of the scoring the Vikings needed. Each bagged first half goals to insure victory.
Senior Sam Gary and sophomore Riley Goettsche shared the clean-sheet to push the Vikings overall record to 7-2-1 and 6-1-1 in the Mid-Suburban League.
"Willie has always been a very modest guy," said Keller. "He told me if you stay around long enough in this sport, your bound to do something good. He's done a lot of great things during his time at Palatine."
The Cup game was an annual highlight for Filian.
"For me, personally, it was always a great feeling to beat a team from Fremd that was led by the likes of Pagnani, Ralph Cortez, Don Balk, and Steve (Keller). I have the utmost respect for them as both fellow managers and friends.
"I hope the significance of the Kinsella Cup never diminishes, because of the great human being that it is named after."
to retain Kinsella Cup
By Mike Garofola
PALATINE -- Fremd will keep the coveted Kinsella Cup for a third-consecutive year following its 2-0 victory over cross-town rival Palatine on Tuesday night at Hildebrandt Field.
This edition of the always-entertaining derby marked the final Kinsella Cup appearance for Willie Filian as Palatine manager. He retirement at the end of the current school year ends a glorious career with both the boys and girls programs that began in 1988.
"Willie will be missed in our conference, and all around the state. He brought a unique style of play to Palatine, one which nobody ever wanted to face, especially in the postseason," said Fremd manager Steve Keller, whose club has won seven of the last 10 Kinsella Cup affairs.
"Many people do not know that the Kinsella Cup was suspended for a few year due to several incidents between fans and players before and after the games," Filian recounted. "It wasn't until Gerardo Pagnani requested to bring back the game during the 1995-1996 school year that the series restarted.
"The 2004 game is one that I will always remember, because it was one of the last times that Mr. Kinsella came down onto the field to award the Cup.
"He was such a classy gentlemen, and a person who meant so much to the sport and his beloved Celtic Soccer Club. His legend will live forever."
"It's always a game that all of us look forward to playing," said Vikings senior Lily Spotak, who was one of at least seven players from Palatine who shared an early link in the sport. "It's the chance to play against girls many of us have known for such a long time because of our ties to playing for the Celtic Soccer Club."
Vikings Cami Tofilon, and Kylie Williams provided all of the scoring the Vikings needed. Each bagged first half goals to insure victory.
Senior Sam Gary and sophomore Riley Goettsche shared the clean-sheet to push the Vikings overall record to 7-2-1 and 6-1-1 in the Mid-Suburban League.
"Willie has always been a very modest guy," said Keller. "He told me if you stay around long enough in this sport, your bound to do something good. He's done a lot of great things during his time at Palatine."
The Cup game was an annual highlight for Filian.
"For me, personally, it was always a great feeling to beat a team from Fremd that was led by the likes of Pagnani, Ralph Cortez, Don Balk, and Steve (Keller). I have the utmost respect for them as both fellow managers and friends.
"I hope the significance of the Kinsella Cup never diminishes, because of the great human being that it is named after."