Barrington mars record,
but can't take title from Fremd
Broncos take home 1-0 OT win over MSL West champs
By Mike Garofola
PALATINE -- The Mid-Suburban League is arguably one of the best soccer leagues in the state. Year after year it produces some fine sides. This year Barrington and Fremd lead the pack.
The rivalry is intense, fierce, played before big crowds and usually scheduled near the end of the season when a trip to the coveted Soccer Bowl is still in play.
Since 2010 the these two high-profile clubs have advanced into the longest-running championship match in the state nine times including this fall. Fremd has lifted the trophy three times, with its most recent in 2019. Barrington earned its second last spring in kicks over Buffalo Grove.
When the Broncos travelled to Hildebrandt Field in Palatine on a hot, sunny Saturday afternoon, their hosts had already clinched the division title.
But anyone who thought the teams would play on cruise control, soon realized how wrong they were.
When it appeared that this fixture was ready to go to its second 10-minute extra session goal less, up popped Barrington's Kyle Wanca. Surrounded by green shirts, he found a way to steer in the dramatic game-winner in the 88th-minute to send himself, his mates and the Broncos faithful into a frenzied madness.
"You had to be impressed with the physical strength and energy (Fremd) has," said Barrington manager Scott Steib. "They're a very good team with great depth," said Steib.
"The boys did well against a very talented team in a game that was intense from the very start and all the way through. This is a big win for us to be very proud of today."
The players were set on go from the opening whistle.
"We all knew that even though this game didn't mean anything in the final standings, Fremd was going to come after us," said the goal-scoring hero Wanca. "That's the way we treated this game as well, because we felt we had a lot to prove."
Barrington rebounded from a stunning loss in its previous league game Thursday. The Broncos scored late to draw even at Buffalo Grove but conceded an 80th-minute restart goal to fall 2-1.
"We were really po'ed," saud senior Michael Vitale of the loss, the first in league play for the Broncos.
"So we came here to win and nothing else."
While this game was far from aesthetically appealing, the voracious 50/50 challenges, robust tackling, tremendous energy and box-to-box action certainly had all the look of a sectional final between two longtime managers, who have been a part of dozens and dozens of finals during their remarkable careers.
"I guess you never really know how a team will respond after a tough loss before playing in a game that doesn't have any meaning in the standings," said Steib. "The guys have a lot of pride and showed what they were made of as a team and individuals."
Fremd (14-2-1, 10-1-0) missed its chance for an undefeated conference season, which is a rare accomplishment in the 12-team Mid-Suburban League.
Barrington, already without perhaps its best player available in Jeremiah Gascho, who runs the show in the middle of the park as his club's no. 10, lost Kieran Londergan for a short while when fouled from behind in the 30th minute.
In a first half played as if were a chess match, both sides tested the other. Few serious chances on frame were recorded before the intermission.
Fremd's Christian Tirado layed off a nice ball to Owen Winegar in the 33rd minute, but the junior went wide from 20 yards.
Barrington's Kyle Horak served from long range into the Vikings area, but had his send cleared. After Jonathan Li was fouled, the Broncos had a free kick from 20 yards that never found its way anywhere near keeper Robby Remian.
The home side was off and running after the break. A free kick from Ryan Sapiente put the Broncos under pressure, but Caden Statz went over the bar. Then three-straight point-blank attempts, two from Leo Akashi, were turned away by keeper Alex Hackney, who thanked Wanca for taking the third shot off the line after it spilled off of the keeper.
Hackney came to the rescue on another point-blank strike shortly thereafter when Demetri Vlahos was put through by the combined efforts of Joey Rodino and Tirado.
Not to be outdone by his counterpart, Fremd's Remian turned away Mathew Klujian when he, and teammates Li and Ryan Chang bedeviled the Vikings with some nifty passing between themselve to give Klujian his chance at 50 minutes.
"Chang was amazing out there today, not only as the great defender that he is, but also in our attack with his passing, and helping create chances for us," said Wanca.
"We all had to step up today with (Gascho) unable to play. Later when Hackney went down, fortunately for us Iker came in and was just amazing for us with his unbelievable work in goal," said Chang.
Iker Villagomez split time with Hackney in the Broncos net this season, but on this day was called into action when his keeper partner was run over in a 50/50 challenge in the 66th minute.
"Iker has played well for us all season," said Steib. "When he came into this incredible game when we needed him most, he showed great composure as he controlled his box and made some remarkable saves to help keep us in the game."
Hackney walked off under his own power after being attended to for nearly five minutes. In a show of sportsmanship and respect, both Sapiente and Winegar met him as he approached the touch line to wish him well.
Just prior to that sequence of events, Remian went horizontal in full stretch to stop Frankie Caballero from reaching the back of the net for Barrington. The play signalled what the big crowd would be treated to: Remian and Villagomez took center stage in the final quarter hour of regulation.
The two junior keepers would put on a thriller display between the sticks as they did their collective best to outdo the other - saving three goals (each) with fearless confidence that would insure both to named co-Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match.
"Robby was sensational today," said Fremd's Keller. "He really saved us when we needed it, But to see their guy come in and do what he did was truly amazing. I told him so afterward."
Villagomez was immediately tested after coming on when he went airborne to the back post to send away a threatening ball from Winegar.
The Broncos keeper was sharp when he saved a Sapiente a 22-yard free kick from the near touch line moments later. then on the other end after a well-aimed free kick from David Gomez, Remian denied Philip Jackowski.
The game became more direct than in the previous 70+ minutes. Plenty of chances raining down on both keepers as the action intensified.
After a cagey Chang win followed by a quick and precise ball to Londergan sent Gomez through in the 75th minuyte, Remian made an extraorginary point-blank stop kept the Broncos from striking late.
Villagomez did the same moments later on the tail end of a counter, when Mayer knifed into the box and blasted a cracker that was stopped.
Barrington was all over the Vikings in the final minute of regulation. Two attempts on the way were blocked before reaching Remian; the second resulted in an Fremd counter that saw Sandro Javakhishvili smash a strike that hit a Barrington player.
"We just were not sharp enough to put any of our chances in," said Keller. "Of course their keeper had something to do with that."
Once into the first extra session, the Fremd faithful thought for sure Vlahos was hauled down in the box on his way to an early ball sent over the top by Mayer. Their dream for a Vikings penalty kick was dashed by the center official.
Horak teed up his long-range shot after two of his mates dummied a corner from Li, but the junior went wide in the 83rd minute.
Vitale would initiate Barrington's game-winner with his corner from the near flag. His delivery into the box saw the Vikings fail to clear, and Wanca found a way to steer his shot into the back of the net.
"All year I've been hoping to get a chance like that, so when I saw the ball spill free, I knew I had to get to that ball and put it in," Wanca said with a smile.
"It's been Fremd-Barrington for so many years," Steib said. "This year, even though Steve's team had already made it through, we wanted to have a good showing and hopefully get out of here with a win to help us going forward into the postseason.
"I am very proud of all of our guys. It was a great team win."
The Broncos (12-3-2) welcome Prospect (10-4-2) on Tuesday afternoon at 4:45 in an MSL cross-over.
Next up, of course, for the Vikings, will be MSL East champion Hersey this Thursday night in the 44th annual MSL Soccer Bowl.
"This loss can only motivate us," began the Vikings classy captain, Beck Smolak.
"It was a hard-fought game, but one that we were not at our best. We'll get back and clean some things up and get ready for Hersey. All of us are looking to be at our best."
While this defeat stings, Keller suggests it may have come at the right time. It was [a good loss, if there is such a thing.
"It was the game that I/we expected, but I am puzzled with the way we played," Keller said. "Our lack of focus on doing the simple things.
"Let's see if we learn a lesson from this game. Because if we do, we'll be ready to come out and play the way I know we can on Thursday. If not, we could have a real struggle on our hands with Hersey."
Starting lineups
Barrington (4-4-2)
G: Alex Hackney
D: Adam Walocha
D: Kyle Wanca
D: Matthew Klujian
D: Michael Vitale
M: Jonathan Li
M: David Gomez
M: Will Asplin
M: Kyle Horak
F: Jack Peterson
F: Alexis Salazar
Fremd (4-3-3)
G: Robby Remian
D: Braden Roos
D: Beck Smolak
D: Joey Rodino
D: Caden Statz
M: Ryan Sapiente
M: Demitri Vlahos
M: Sandro Javakhishvili
F: Leo Akashi
F: Eli Schoffstall
F: Will Mayer
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Robby Remian, jr., GK, Fremd; Iker Villagomez, jr., GK, Barrington
Referee: Bill Niemyer
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
No scoring
First overtime
Barrington: Wanca (Vitale), 88'
but can't take title from Fremd
Broncos take home 1-0 OT win over MSL West champs
By Mike Garofola
PALATINE -- The Mid-Suburban League is arguably one of the best soccer leagues in the state. Year after year it produces some fine sides. This year Barrington and Fremd lead the pack.
The rivalry is intense, fierce, played before big crowds and usually scheduled near the end of the season when a trip to the coveted Soccer Bowl is still in play.
Since 2010 the these two high-profile clubs have advanced into the longest-running championship match in the state nine times including this fall. Fremd has lifted the trophy three times, with its most recent in 2019. Barrington earned its second last spring in kicks over Buffalo Grove.
When the Broncos travelled to Hildebrandt Field in Palatine on a hot, sunny Saturday afternoon, their hosts had already clinched the division title.
But anyone who thought the teams would play on cruise control, soon realized how wrong they were.
When it appeared that this fixture was ready to go to its second 10-minute extra session goal less, up popped Barrington's Kyle Wanca. Surrounded by green shirts, he found a way to steer in the dramatic game-winner in the 88th-minute to send himself, his mates and the Broncos faithful into a frenzied madness.
"You had to be impressed with the physical strength and energy (Fremd) has," said Barrington manager Scott Steib. "They're a very good team with great depth," said Steib.
"The boys did well against a very talented team in a game that was intense from the very start and all the way through. This is a big win for us to be very proud of today."
The players were set on go from the opening whistle.
"We all knew that even though this game didn't mean anything in the final standings, Fremd was going to come after us," said the goal-scoring hero Wanca. "That's the way we treated this game as well, because we felt we had a lot to prove."
Barrington rebounded from a stunning loss in its previous league game Thursday. The Broncos scored late to draw even at Buffalo Grove but conceded an 80th-minute restart goal to fall 2-1.
"We were really po'ed," saud senior Michael Vitale of the loss, the first in league play for the Broncos.
"So we came here to win and nothing else."
While this game was far from aesthetically appealing, the voracious 50/50 challenges, robust tackling, tremendous energy and box-to-box action certainly had all the look of a sectional final between two longtime managers, who have been a part of dozens and dozens of finals during their remarkable careers.
"I guess you never really know how a team will respond after a tough loss before playing in a game that doesn't have any meaning in the standings," said Steib. "The guys have a lot of pride and showed what they were made of as a team and individuals."
Fremd (14-2-1, 10-1-0) missed its chance for an undefeated conference season, which is a rare accomplishment in the 12-team Mid-Suburban League.
Barrington, already without perhaps its best player available in Jeremiah Gascho, who runs the show in the middle of the park as his club's no. 10, lost Kieran Londergan for a short while when fouled from behind in the 30th minute.
In a first half played as if were a chess match, both sides tested the other. Few serious chances on frame were recorded before the intermission.
Fremd's Christian Tirado layed off a nice ball to Owen Winegar in the 33rd minute, but the junior went wide from 20 yards.
Barrington's Kyle Horak served from long range into the Vikings area, but had his send cleared. After Jonathan Li was fouled, the Broncos had a free kick from 20 yards that never found its way anywhere near keeper Robby Remian.
The home side was off and running after the break. A free kick from Ryan Sapiente put the Broncos under pressure, but Caden Statz went over the bar. Then three-straight point-blank attempts, two from Leo Akashi, were turned away by keeper Alex Hackney, who thanked Wanca for taking the third shot off the line after it spilled off of the keeper.
Hackney came to the rescue on another point-blank strike shortly thereafter when Demetri Vlahos was put through by the combined efforts of Joey Rodino and Tirado.
Not to be outdone by his counterpart, Fremd's Remian turned away Mathew Klujian when he, and teammates Li and Ryan Chang bedeviled the Vikings with some nifty passing between themselve to give Klujian his chance at 50 minutes.
"Chang was amazing out there today, not only as the great defender that he is, but also in our attack with his passing, and helping create chances for us," said Wanca.
"We all had to step up today with (Gascho) unable to play. Later when Hackney went down, fortunately for us Iker came in and was just amazing for us with his unbelievable work in goal," said Chang.
Iker Villagomez split time with Hackney in the Broncos net this season, but on this day was called into action when his keeper partner was run over in a 50/50 challenge in the 66th minute.
"Iker has played well for us all season," said Steib. "When he came into this incredible game when we needed him most, he showed great composure as he controlled his box and made some remarkable saves to help keep us in the game."
Hackney walked off under his own power after being attended to for nearly five minutes. In a show of sportsmanship and respect, both Sapiente and Winegar met him as he approached the touch line to wish him well.
Just prior to that sequence of events, Remian went horizontal in full stretch to stop Frankie Caballero from reaching the back of the net for Barrington. The play signalled what the big crowd would be treated to: Remian and Villagomez took center stage in the final quarter hour of regulation.
The two junior keepers would put on a thriller display between the sticks as they did their collective best to outdo the other - saving three goals (each) with fearless confidence that would insure both to named co-Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match.
"Robby was sensational today," said Fremd's Keller. "He really saved us when we needed it, But to see their guy come in and do what he did was truly amazing. I told him so afterward."
Villagomez was immediately tested after coming on when he went airborne to the back post to send away a threatening ball from Winegar.
The Broncos keeper was sharp when he saved a Sapiente a 22-yard free kick from the near touch line moments later. then on the other end after a well-aimed free kick from David Gomez, Remian denied Philip Jackowski.
The game became more direct than in the previous 70+ minutes. Plenty of chances raining down on both keepers as the action intensified.
After a cagey Chang win followed by a quick and precise ball to Londergan sent Gomez through in the 75th minuyte, Remian made an extraorginary point-blank stop kept the Broncos from striking late.
Villagomez did the same moments later on the tail end of a counter, when Mayer knifed into the box and blasted a cracker that was stopped.
Barrington was all over the Vikings in the final minute of regulation. Two attempts on the way were blocked before reaching Remian; the second resulted in an Fremd counter that saw Sandro Javakhishvili smash a strike that hit a Barrington player.
"We just were not sharp enough to put any of our chances in," said Keller. "Of course their keeper had something to do with that."
Once into the first extra session, the Fremd faithful thought for sure Vlahos was hauled down in the box on his way to an early ball sent over the top by Mayer. Their dream for a Vikings penalty kick was dashed by the center official.
Horak teed up his long-range shot after two of his mates dummied a corner from Li, but the junior went wide in the 83rd minute.
Vitale would initiate Barrington's game-winner with his corner from the near flag. His delivery into the box saw the Vikings fail to clear, and Wanca found a way to steer his shot into the back of the net.
"All year I've been hoping to get a chance like that, so when I saw the ball spill free, I knew I had to get to that ball and put it in," Wanca said with a smile.
"It's been Fremd-Barrington for so many years," Steib said. "This year, even though Steve's team had already made it through, we wanted to have a good showing and hopefully get out of here with a win to help us going forward into the postseason.
"I am very proud of all of our guys. It was a great team win."
The Broncos (12-3-2) welcome Prospect (10-4-2) on Tuesday afternoon at 4:45 in an MSL cross-over.
Next up, of course, for the Vikings, will be MSL East champion Hersey this Thursday night in the 44th annual MSL Soccer Bowl.
"This loss can only motivate us," began the Vikings classy captain, Beck Smolak.
"It was a hard-fought game, but one that we were not at our best. We'll get back and clean some things up and get ready for Hersey. All of us are looking to be at our best."
While this defeat stings, Keller suggests it may have come at the right time. It was [a good loss, if there is such a thing.
"It was the game that I/we expected, but I am puzzled with the way we played," Keller said. "Our lack of focus on doing the simple things.
"Let's see if we learn a lesson from this game. Because if we do, we'll be ready to come out and play the way I know we can on Thursday. If not, we could have a real struggle on our hands with Hersey."
Starting lineups
Barrington (4-4-2)
G: Alex Hackney
D: Adam Walocha
D: Kyle Wanca
D: Matthew Klujian
D: Michael Vitale
M: Jonathan Li
M: David Gomez
M: Will Asplin
M: Kyle Horak
F: Jack Peterson
F: Alexis Salazar
Fremd (4-3-3)
G: Robby Remian
D: Braden Roos
D: Beck Smolak
D: Joey Rodino
D: Caden Statz
M: Ryan Sapiente
M: Demitri Vlahos
M: Sandro Javakhishvili
F: Leo Akashi
F: Eli Schoffstall
F: Will Mayer
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Robby Remian, jr., GK, Fremd; Iker Villagomez, jr., GK, Barrington
Referee: Bill Niemyer
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
No scoring
First overtime
Barrington: Wanca (Vitale), 88'