Fremd takes Barrington
game that matters
Super-sub Javakhishvili gets Vikings started in sectional title win
By Mike Garofola
PALATINE -- There's little doubt that Sandro Javakhishvili could be in just about any team’s starting 11.
But with the talent-rich roster of Fremd, the role for this Vikings senior is that of being a reserve. He is usually the first or second brought on by manager Steve Keller.
On a night when a heavy rain was blowing sideways on his home pitch of Hale Hildebrandt Field, Javakhishvili was not only the Vikings super-sub, but also their superhero. He bagged the all-important opener, then followed up with magnificent all-around play to help his club defeat archrival Barrington for a sectional title.
The 4-0 victory reaffirmed that the Vikings (18-2-1) are the best team in their area. Keller's men advance to the supersectional round where they will meet Oak Park and River Forest (19-3-0) Tuesday night at Barrington Community Stadium.
"I am very happy for the boys," said Keller, who guided his 2019 club into the supersectional before St. Patrick ended their run. “They played well against a team that beat us the first time around and put us under pressure early in the second half until we finally put that second one in to take control of the game.
"Sando is a very good player, who could be a starter just about everywhere, but we're glad to have him with us. He's been a terrific player coming off the bench to give us quality play whenever we need it."
That co-Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match Javakhishvili has impacted the big club is a story in itself.
"At the start of the year, my JV coach (Matt Sriver) told me if I stayed and played with his team, that I would start, and get plenty of minutes,” said Javakhishvili. “If I was moved up to the varsity, it would likely mean sitting on the bench. He left it to me to make a choice.
"(Sriver) is a great guy, and I appreciated his honesty, but I wanted to be with my friends, and on a team that I felt could be very competitive. I figured if I worked hard, my minutes would come, and I could make a contribution to the team."
"Sandro is very bright, has a great soccer IQ," added a proud Keller. “And you've seen lately, and, of course tonight, just how much of an impact he can make on a game."
For the fans of both of these longtime Mid-Suburban League powers, the memory of Kyle Wanca's 88th-minute overtime game-winner in the season finale for the Broncos still remain.
"Keller told us beforehand that we needed to be ready to go if we wanted to reverse that 1-0 loss to Barrington, and I really felt like we came out with purpose, and the focus needed," said Javakhishvili.
"I know the idea for us was to come in here tonight, and play our possession style of soccer, knock it around, and to just try to play some clean soccer against Steve's guys," said Broncos manager Scott Steib, whose club finished at 16-4-2 with the loss. “When the weather and conditions are as bad as they were tonight, (that) plan goes out the window. We did our best under this set of circumstances.”
The coin toss landed in Barrington’s favor, which meant playing with a strong north wind in its sails and a driving rain in the faces of Fremd. But it was the Vikings who got off on their front foot after the opening whistle sounded by referee Rommel Benyamin.
"Fremd is so athletic and strong, and they came out better than us, especially in the first 15 minutes," said Steib.
Schoffstall's nifty half volley went just wide in the fifth minute off a free kick from the midline by Brandon Woziak. Moments later Barrington’s Jack Peterson ran onto a clever flick forward from Ben Yaney, who latched onto a wind-aided punt by the Broncos’ Iker Villagomez.
The keeper was busy during the first half hour. He came quick off the line to stop Demetri Vlahos, who met up with a lovely early ball from Braden Roos. Then Vhalos turned at the end line after Schoffstall put him through on the left side.
Villagomez, who has shared time between the sticks this fall with Alex Hackney, represents an area of real strength for Steib next season -- each returns for their senior year after collecting 14 clean-sheets between them and recording a stingy 0.73 goals against average for the season. Those numbers were aided substantially by the backline of Ryan Chang, Mathew Klujian, Michael Vitale and Wanca.
"This unit of defenders has been nothing short of phenomenal,” Steib said. “They're organized, strong in the air, well balanced and play so well together. They have clearly been the strength of this team."
The Broncos back-four saw Villagomez make his best early save when he turned around a bending effort in the 26th minute by Javakhishvili that appeared destined for the back of the net.
However, the visitors could do nothing when Javakhishvili shocked the big audience when he positioned himself smartly to redirect past a diving Villagomez who was preoccupied with Zen Wang and Will Mayer who helped create the 30th-minute strike.
"I believe it was Will who had that shot at their keeper. It's always important to get on the end of rebounds. For me, it was all about get to that ball to put one in," said Javakhishvili.
"Just a great goal for us, and by Sandro, who played great all night and really helped set the tone," said teammate Adrian Blonski.
Blonski, just as Javakhishvili, is thrilled to be playing with the club. He suffered a serious eye injury earlier in the year that kept him out of action for three full weeks. He returned as a part-time player in the Vikings victory in the MSL Soccer Bowl, then rejoined the Vikings first 11 next to Beck Smolak following his return to full health. The pair form a superb central defending duo for Keller.
"There was concern that Adrian might be out because of his injury, but we're thrilled he's back playing full-time,” said Keller. “(He) is so cool, calm and composed on the ball, strong in the air and together with Beck, Roos and Statz in front of (keeper) Robby Remian, we're about as strong as we can be along the back."
With Blonski, back from club soccer, alongside Smolak, the duo is the Vikings’ version of Manchester United's Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane.
Smolak has excelled since coming aboard with his aerial superiority, keen eye for trouble, and ability to get into the attack, distribute and be a tackling wizard to complement Blonski. The pair are carbon copies of each other.
It was Smolak who was at heart of a controversial sequence of events just after the Javakhishvili goal that began on a Fremd counterattack led by Wang.
During a mad scramble in front of Villagomez, it appeared Smolak steered in the Vikings second goal just inside the near post.
The assistant on that touchline waved his flag which began a 10-minute break in the action.
After a discussion with both of his assistants and each manager, center referee Benyamin declared that Smolak had not doubled the Vikings advantage.
The long delay was followed by a trio of corners by the Broncos off the foot of Vitale, two of which were redirected at Vikings keeper Remian. They were followed by a piercing serve by free kick specialist Vitale, whose effort was smothered by Remian in the 40th minute.
Barrington, despite having the wind and the rain in its face at the start of the second period, enjoyed most of the play during the early exchanges. Jeremiah Gascho forced Remian to save his attempt in the 44th minute before another long free kick by Vitale settled onto the roof.
The visitors also created a handful of corners and deep throws that kept the Vikings in their own end more than they would have liked. Fremd answered with two Leo Akashi tries from outside the area that went over the bar.
"Barrington came out much stronger than (us) after the break, putting a ton of pressure on us,” said Keller. “If not for Eli winning so many balls in the air, and 50/50s in the middle, plus our ability to defend well as a team, (maybe) they put one in."
To no avail, Steib and his bench thought for sure Ben Yaney was fouled in the box to earn a trip to the spot. Later he earned a yellow card in the 64th minute after Will Mayer put another one in for the home side. Steib thought for sure Mayer clipped the heels of Chang as he burst free up the right side.
"The A.R. on that side was waving his flag like crazy, so I thought for sure the goal from no. 12 (Mayer) would be called back. Guess things evened up after that ball off the tire (in the Fremd net to move the goal) went in our favor," said a philosophical Steib afterwards.
Mayer's free run forced Villagomez far off his line to act as the last man and the alert and crafty Mayer chipped the Broncos keeper and then watched the flight of his effort nestle into the back of the net.
Now chasing two goals, Steib, and his staff pushed numbers forward, eventually going with just Chang and Klujian along the back. It was that unbalanced look that helped a now aggressive Vikings attack that was switching fields, overlapping with speed and playing fluidly. It led to a pair of late goals to finish off the Broncos.
Wozniak added the third goal two minutes from time, and Schoffstall scored in the 80th minute from Akashi and Vlahos.
Taking the full celebratory advantage of playing on the home pitch, the final whistle brought down a tidal wave of fans who raced onto the turf to embrace their team, which soon after lifted the 12th sectional plaque in program history.
"Fremd was the better team tonight,” said Steib. “It was too bad they got those two late goals, because when someone reads the 4-0 result they'll think differently of our effort.
“It was a great effort from a team that did so much during this season and has every reason to proud of what they accomplished.
"This team has been waiting for their chance behind a high-quality group that came before them, and they have stepped up to being a top-level varsity team because of the way they have been prepared by a great bunch of coaches at the freshman, JV1 and JV2 levels.
"Some teams just fit together really well. This team completely embodies all of that."
Keller, and his staff will now prepare for an Oak Park and River Forest club on Tuesday that has sent off the nos. 1 and 2 seeds at the New Trier Sectional to advance to its second supersectional. The first came in 1995.
"I was real proud of the effort and performance from the guys tonight, especially in these types of conditions," said Keller.
"Sandro gave us a big lift tonight, Eli helped us dominate the midfield, and we received the type of work rate, and effort we expect. Hopefully, we'll come out on Tuesday and do the same thing."
Starting lineups
Barrington (4-4-2)
G: Iker Villagomez
D: Ryan Chang
D: Mathew Klujian
D: Kyle Wanca
D: Michael Vitale
M: Jonathan Li
M: Kyle Horak
M: Jeremiah Gascho
M: David Gomez
F: Ben Yaney
F: Jack Peterson
Fremd (4-3-3)
G: Robby Remian
D: Braden Roos
D: Beck Smolak
D: Adrian Blonski
D: Caden Statz
M: Joey Rodino
M: Eli Schoffstall
M: Bradon Wozniak
F: Ryan Sapiente
F: Demetri Vlahos
F: Leo Akashi
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Sandro Javakhishvili, sr., MF, Fremd; Eli Schoffstall, sr., MF, Fremd
Referees: Rommel Benyamin; AR-1 Ninos Alexander; AR-2 Vic Walker
Scoring summary
First half
Fremd: Javakhishvili (Smolak) 30'
Second half
Fremd: Meyer (U/A) 64'
Fremd: Wozniak (U/A) 78'
Fremd: Schoffstall (Akashi, Vlahos) 80'
Statistics
Barrington
On Frame: 6
Off Frame: 6
Fouls: 8
Corners: 3
Offsides: 0
Yellow Cards: 1
Red Cards: 0
Fremd
On Frame: 9
Off Frame: 7
Fouls: 12
Corners: 3
Offsides: 1
Yellow Cards: 2
Red Cards: 0
game that matters
Super-sub Javakhishvili gets Vikings started in sectional title win
By Mike Garofola
PALATINE -- There's little doubt that Sandro Javakhishvili could be in just about any team’s starting 11.
But with the talent-rich roster of Fremd, the role for this Vikings senior is that of being a reserve. He is usually the first or second brought on by manager Steve Keller.
On a night when a heavy rain was blowing sideways on his home pitch of Hale Hildebrandt Field, Javakhishvili was not only the Vikings super-sub, but also their superhero. He bagged the all-important opener, then followed up with magnificent all-around play to help his club defeat archrival Barrington for a sectional title.
The 4-0 victory reaffirmed that the Vikings (18-2-1) are the best team in their area. Keller's men advance to the supersectional round where they will meet Oak Park and River Forest (19-3-0) Tuesday night at Barrington Community Stadium.
"I am very happy for the boys," said Keller, who guided his 2019 club into the supersectional before St. Patrick ended their run. “They played well against a team that beat us the first time around and put us under pressure early in the second half until we finally put that second one in to take control of the game.
"Sando is a very good player, who could be a starter just about everywhere, but we're glad to have him with us. He's been a terrific player coming off the bench to give us quality play whenever we need it."
That co-Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match Javakhishvili has impacted the big club is a story in itself.
"At the start of the year, my JV coach (Matt Sriver) told me if I stayed and played with his team, that I would start, and get plenty of minutes,” said Javakhishvili. “If I was moved up to the varsity, it would likely mean sitting on the bench. He left it to me to make a choice.
"(Sriver) is a great guy, and I appreciated his honesty, but I wanted to be with my friends, and on a team that I felt could be very competitive. I figured if I worked hard, my minutes would come, and I could make a contribution to the team."
"Sandro is very bright, has a great soccer IQ," added a proud Keller. “And you've seen lately, and, of course tonight, just how much of an impact he can make on a game."
For the fans of both of these longtime Mid-Suburban League powers, the memory of Kyle Wanca's 88th-minute overtime game-winner in the season finale for the Broncos still remain.
"Keller told us beforehand that we needed to be ready to go if we wanted to reverse that 1-0 loss to Barrington, and I really felt like we came out with purpose, and the focus needed," said Javakhishvili.
"I know the idea for us was to come in here tonight, and play our possession style of soccer, knock it around, and to just try to play some clean soccer against Steve's guys," said Broncos manager Scott Steib, whose club finished at 16-4-2 with the loss. “When the weather and conditions are as bad as they were tonight, (that) plan goes out the window. We did our best under this set of circumstances.”
The coin toss landed in Barrington’s favor, which meant playing with a strong north wind in its sails and a driving rain in the faces of Fremd. But it was the Vikings who got off on their front foot after the opening whistle sounded by referee Rommel Benyamin.
"Fremd is so athletic and strong, and they came out better than us, especially in the first 15 minutes," said Steib.
Schoffstall's nifty half volley went just wide in the fifth minute off a free kick from the midline by Brandon Woziak. Moments later Barrington’s Jack Peterson ran onto a clever flick forward from Ben Yaney, who latched onto a wind-aided punt by the Broncos’ Iker Villagomez.
The keeper was busy during the first half hour. He came quick off the line to stop Demetri Vlahos, who met up with a lovely early ball from Braden Roos. Then Vhalos turned at the end line after Schoffstall put him through on the left side.
Villagomez, who has shared time between the sticks this fall with Alex Hackney, represents an area of real strength for Steib next season -- each returns for their senior year after collecting 14 clean-sheets between them and recording a stingy 0.73 goals against average for the season. Those numbers were aided substantially by the backline of Ryan Chang, Mathew Klujian, Michael Vitale and Wanca.
"This unit of defenders has been nothing short of phenomenal,” Steib said. “They're organized, strong in the air, well balanced and play so well together. They have clearly been the strength of this team."
The Broncos back-four saw Villagomez make his best early save when he turned around a bending effort in the 26th minute by Javakhishvili that appeared destined for the back of the net.
However, the visitors could do nothing when Javakhishvili shocked the big audience when he positioned himself smartly to redirect past a diving Villagomez who was preoccupied with Zen Wang and Will Mayer who helped create the 30th-minute strike.
"I believe it was Will who had that shot at their keeper. It's always important to get on the end of rebounds. For me, it was all about get to that ball to put one in," said Javakhishvili.
"Just a great goal for us, and by Sandro, who played great all night and really helped set the tone," said teammate Adrian Blonski.
Blonski, just as Javakhishvili, is thrilled to be playing with the club. He suffered a serious eye injury earlier in the year that kept him out of action for three full weeks. He returned as a part-time player in the Vikings victory in the MSL Soccer Bowl, then rejoined the Vikings first 11 next to Beck Smolak following his return to full health. The pair form a superb central defending duo for Keller.
"There was concern that Adrian might be out because of his injury, but we're thrilled he's back playing full-time,” said Keller. “(He) is so cool, calm and composed on the ball, strong in the air and together with Beck, Roos and Statz in front of (keeper) Robby Remian, we're about as strong as we can be along the back."
With Blonski, back from club soccer, alongside Smolak, the duo is the Vikings’ version of Manchester United's Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane.
Smolak has excelled since coming aboard with his aerial superiority, keen eye for trouble, and ability to get into the attack, distribute and be a tackling wizard to complement Blonski. The pair are carbon copies of each other.
It was Smolak who was at heart of a controversial sequence of events just after the Javakhishvili goal that began on a Fremd counterattack led by Wang.
During a mad scramble in front of Villagomez, it appeared Smolak steered in the Vikings second goal just inside the near post.
The assistant on that touchline waved his flag which began a 10-minute break in the action.
After a discussion with both of his assistants and each manager, center referee Benyamin declared that Smolak had not doubled the Vikings advantage.
The long delay was followed by a trio of corners by the Broncos off the foot of Vitale, two of which were redirected at Vikings keeper Remian. They were followed by a piercing serve by free kick specialist Vitale, whose effort was smothered by Remian in the 40th minute.
Barrington, despite having the wind and the rain in its face at the start of the second period, enjoyed most of the play during the early exchanges. Jeremiah Gascho forced Remian to save his attempt in the 44th minute before another long free kick by Vitale settled onto the roof.
The visitors also created a handful of corners and deep throws that kept the Vikings in their own end more than they would have liked. Fremd answered with two Leo Akashi tries from outside the area that went over the bar.
"Barrington came out much stronger than (us) after the break, putting a ton of pressure on us,” said Keller. “If not for Eli winning so many balls in the air, and 50/50s in the middle, plus our ability to defend well as a team, (maybe) they put one in."
To no avail, Steib and his bench thought for sure Ben Yaney was fouled in the box to earn a trip to the spot. Later he earned a yellow card in the 64th minute after Will Mayer put another one in for the home side. Steib thought for sure Mayer clipped the heels of Chang as he burst free up the right side.
"The A.R. on that side was waving his flag like crazy, so I thought for sure the goal from no. 12 (Mayer) would be called back. Guess things evened up after that ball off the tire (in the Fremd net to move the goal) went in our favor," said a philosophical Steib afterwards.
Mayer's free run forced Villagomez far off his line to act as the last man and the alert and crafty Mayer chipped the Broncos keeper and then watched the flight of his effort nestle into the back of the net.
Now chasing two goals, Steib, and his staff pushed numbers forward, eventually going with just Chang and Klujian along the back. It was that unbalanced look that helped a now aggressive Vikings attack that was switching fields, overlapping with speed and playing fluidly. It led to a pair of late goals to finish off the Broncos.
Wozniak added the third goal two minutes from time, and Schoffstall scored in the 80th minute from Akashi and Vlahos.
Taking the full celebratory advantage of playing on the home pitch, the final whistle brought down a tidal wave of fans who raced onto the turf to embrace their team, which soon after lifted the 12th sectional plaque in program history.
"Fremd was the better team tonight,” said Steib. “It was too bad they got those two late goals, because when someone reads the 4-0 result they'll think differently of our effort.
“It was a great effort from a team that did so much during this season and has every reason to proud of what they accomplished.
"This team has been waiting for their chance behind a high-quality group that came before them, and they have stepped up to being a top-level varsity team because of the way they have been prepared by a great bunch of coaches at the freshman, JV1 and JV2 levels.
"Some teams just fit together really well. This team completely embodies all of that."
Keller, and his staff will now prepare for an Oak Park and River Forest club on Tuesday that has sent off the nos. 1 and 2 seeds at the New Trier Sectional to advance to its second supersectional. The first came in 1995.
"I was real proud of the effort and performance from the guys tonight, especially in these types of conditions," said Keller.
"Sandro gave us a big lift tonight, Eli helped us dominate the midfield, and we received the type of work rate, and effort we expect. Hopefully, we'll come out on Tuesday and do the same thing."
Starting lineups
Barrington (4-4-2)
G: Iker Villagomez
D: Ryan Chang
D: Mathew Klujian
D: Kyle Wanca
D: Michael Vitale
M: Jonathan Li
M: Kyle Horak
M: Jeremiah Gascho
M: David Gomez
F: Ben Yaney
F: Jack Peterson
Fremd (4-3-3)
G: Robby Remian
D: Braden Roos
D: Beck Smolak
D: Adrian Blonski
D: Caden Statz
M: Joey Rodino
M: Eli Schoffstall
M: Bradon Wozniak
F: Ryan Sapiente
F: Demetri Vlahos
F: Leo Akashi
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Sandro Javakhishvili, sr., MF, Fremd; Eli Schoffstall, sr., MF, Fremd
Referees: Rommel Benyamin; AR-1 Ninos Alexander; AR-2 Vic Walker
Scoring summary
First half
Fremd: Javakhishvili (Smolak) 30'
Second half
Fremd: Meyer (U/A) 64'
Fremd: Wozniak (U/A) 78'
Fremd: Schoffstall (Akashi, Vlahos) 80'
Statistics
Barrington
On Frame: 6
Off Frame: 6
Fouls: 8
Corners: 3
Offsides: 0
Yellow Cards: 1
Red Cards: 0
Fremd
On Frame: 9
Off Frame: 7
Fouls: 12
Corners: 3
Offsides: 1
Yellow Cards: 2
Red Cards: 0