Barrington tops Fremd, nears MSL title
Fillies gain 3-1 road win behind brace from Prell
By Mike Garofola
PALATINE -- Winning a seventh-consecutive Mid-Suburban League title may ultimately come at the expense of one of Barrington's longtime rivals in Fremd, which has made a habit of pushing the Fillies to the brink during their championship runs but has never been able to leap over the defending Class 3A state champs.
Monday night appeared to be the perfect time for the Vikings to spring a surprise on their guests.
"Barrington-Fremd is always a dangerous game (and) one that we remind our girls to be at your best, because they will always come prepared and ready from the opening whistle," said Fillies manager Ryan Stengren, who last season had his blood pressure checked all throughout a 1-0 win over the Vikings during an 80-minute soccer war.
This key MSL West contest undoubtedly represented one of the toughest games left on the Vikings schedule and perhaps the most meaningful as manager Steve Keller looks to prepare his club for the postseason, which is two weeks away.
As always, Keller chose a tactical that he hoped would challenge the Fillies to be at their best and force them them to play the way Keller wanted them to and not connect with the attacking riches Barrington enjoys.
Fremd started well and the Fillies noticed.
"Those first 15-20 minutes were not very good (everything) came right back at us, and was up in the air and all over the place," said Fillies senior Michayla Herr, who shared MVP honors along with Ashley Prell for their combined efforts in the Fillies hard-fought 3-1 victory. "We just couldn't settle the game down, even after Ashley scored that early goal.
"We weathered the first half storm from Fremd, and came out of it with a two-goal advantage. And I have to say we kept them in their end for almost all of the second half with everyone playing really well."
Prell finished from in-close with a delicate one-timer after the Vikings failed to clear the area of a ball Rebecca Shomaker sent into the box. Fremd freshmen Ashley Scesniak cancelled out the 9th minute goal from the Filies leading goal scorer with a superb upper-90 blast to bring the Vikings back even nine minutes later.
"I had a great angle on the shot. When it left her foot (I) thought - maybe it had a chance," said Keller. "And when it looked as if (Samantha) Schmitz wouldn't reach it, I knew for sure it would go in."
During the Vikings (5-7-2, 5-3-0) recent mistep at the Naperville Invitational, Keller suggested it was a combination of things on both sides of the ball that led to an 0-3-1 record. One was the absence during the tournament of his sophomore keeper, Jennifer Norris, who has already proven to be a rock-solid presence between the sticks.
"Norris gives us a presence in our end. She is strong in the air, fearless, and plays with a confidence that we need since we have so many new faces in our starting lineup," said Keller.
The sophomore is also a tremendous shot-stopper - witnessed by two sensational second half saves to help keep her mates in the match when it was all one-way traffic from the visitors.
Fourth-ranked Barrington (11-2-2, 8-0-0), who lost the heart of its championship club to graduation, has just four returning players from that team in its first eleven -- most of the rest are either freshmen and sophomores.
"We play a great schedule, against most of the best teams in the state, but with so many inexperienced players (there's) still a period of adjustment for them as they find out what it's like to have a target on your back everytime we go out, because we're the defending state champs," said Barrington manager Ryan Stengren.
"That's the way Fremd came at us during that first 15-20 minutes. We hung in there, putting two more in after they got back even.
"At the break, I challenged everyone to be better, win balls, control the midfield, and to continue to create chances and keep Fremd in its end for as long as we could. They did.
"I was very proud of their effort and work."
After Barrington's Ashley Armando won a ball, she put it on the foot of Ellie McAuley. The sophomore went right at the Vikings backline, which resulted in her being taken down in the box.
Prell fired her spot-kick in with plenty of pace and direction to give the Fillies a lead at 33 minutes that they would never relinquish.
Four minutes later, Herr made the home side pay for its inability to clear the area when the senior found just enough space to steer in her close-range attempt after a Christine Batliner corner unraveled the Vikings.
"A big difference tonight was how hard Barrington went to the ball on all of its tackles and challenges," said a disappointed Keller. "We were not as forceful or fierce in ours. That helped lead to all three goals for them."
The two late first period goals swung the pendulum clearly in favor of the Fillies. That was further illustrated by their stunning 12 deep throws and the four corners created in the first quarter hour of the second period.
Fremd remained resolute.
"We had a little trouble earlier in the year when we hung our heads when our opponents scored on us, (but) we didn't do that tonight (in) fact we stayed strong," said Vikings senior Marta Cholewa.
"But in the second half we were under pressure for so long, we had such a hard time getting out of our own end."
Cholewa, who wears the captain's armband for Keller with pride, is a classic center back, one who plays the position with composure, passion, grit and the ability to tackle voraciously.
Prell and her running mate up-top, Tina Teik, were trouble all night long for the Vikings. The duo, in sync with Herr, Ashley Rocco, and left outside back Madi Rosen, received several deadly balls out of the back.
"Ashley was terrific tonight alongside Herr, who together won so many balls for us in the middle to be difference-makers for us," Stengren said.
Rosen sent an inward swinging corner off the bar in the 48th minute then later was allowed time to tee-up a 30-yard missile that went just over.
The Fillies continued to pile on the pressure after the two Rosen attempts and watched Norris push a Rocco strike up and over the woodwork before another superb save against Prell, whose clever turn put her free of her mark.
Stengren began to bring several of his first team off for the night 10 minutes from time, but waited a little while longer to take off sophomore Juliana Moreno, who sparkled in her return after being away for two weeks due to an injury.
"Having Juliana back in the middle of our backline makes us a totally different team, because it allows us to keep Christine (Batliner) on the outside where she can run up and down, join the attack, or give us service out of the back," said Stengren.
"This was a nice win -- a really important one. But we have to keep playing well this week to get three points in each game to win the division," said Prell.
The Fillies still have Buffalo Grove and Prospect this week. If Barrington stumbles, its league finale against Conant on Saturday could decide the MSL West crown.
Click here to see updated Mid-Suburban League standings
Fremd has five games left on its pre-state playoffs dance card. Rolling Meadows (May 2), Schaumburg (May 4), Elk Grove (May 5) and a Mid-Suburban League cross-over May 8 complete its league schedule. The Vikings will close with a tough finale against no. 2 New Trier on May 11.
Starting lineups
Barrington (4-4-3)
GK- Sam Schmitz
D- Madi Rosen
D- Kate McGreevy
D- Juliana Moreno
D- Christine Batliner
M- Rebecca Shomaker
M- Michayla Herr
M- Ashley Rocco
F- Tina Teik
F- Ashley Prell
F- Jen Devona
Fremd (4-5-1)
GK- Jennifer Norris
D- Elizabeth Prigge
D- Marta Cholewa
D- Lauren Burk
D- Emma Katovich
M- Allie Prigge
M- Madeline McCarthy
M- Mackenzie Stein
M- Ashley Scesniak
M- Layla Dib
F- Caeleigh Stone
Chicagoland Soccer co-MVPs of the Match: Michayla Herr, sr., MF, Barrington
Ashley Prell, jr., F, Barrington
Referee: Nikola Aleksic
Scoring Summary
First half
Barrington: Prell (Shomaker) 9'
Fremd: Scesniak (U/A) 18'
Barrington: Prell (PK) 33'
Barrington: Herr (Batliner) 37'
Yellow cards
None
Fillies gain 3-1 road win behind brace from Prell
By Mike Garofola
PALATINE -- Winning a seventh-consecutive Mid-Suburban League title may ultimately come at the expense of one of Barrington's longtime rivals in Fremd, which has made a habit of pushing the Fillies to the brink during their championship runs but has never been able to leap over the defending Class 3A state champs.
Monday night appeared to be the perfect time for the Vikings to spring a surprise on their guests.
"Barrington-Fremd is always a dangerous game (and) one that we remind our girls to be at your best, because they will always come prepared and ready from the opening whistle," said Fillies manager Ryan Stengren, who last season had his blood pressure checked all throughout a 1-0 win over the Vikings during an 80-minute soccer war.
This key MSL West contest undoubtedly represented one of the toughest games left on the Vikings schedule and perhaps the most meaningful as manager Steve Keller looks to prepare his club for the postseason, which is two weeks away.
As always, Keller chose a tactical that he hoped would challenge the Fillies to be at their best and force them them to play the way Keller wanted them to and not connect with the attacking riches Barrington enjoys.
Fremd started well and the Fillies noticed.
"Those first 15-20 minutes were not very good (everything) came right back at us, and was up in the air and all over the place," said Fillies senior Michayla Herr, who shared MVP honors along with Ashley Prell for their combined efforts in the Fillies hard-fought 3-1 victory. "We just couldn't settle the game down, even after Ashley scored that early goal.
"We weathered the first half storm from Fremd, and came out of it with a two-goal advantage. And I have to say we kept them in their end for almost all of the second half with everyone playing really well."
Prell finished from in-close with a delicate one-timer after the Vikings failed to clear the area of a ball Rebecca Shomaker sent into the box. Fremd freshmen Ashley Scesniak cancelled out the 9th minute goal from the Filies leading goal scorer with a superb upper-90 blast to bring the Vikings back even nine minutes later.
"I had a great angle on the shot. When it left her foot (I) thought - maybe it had a chance," said Keller. "And when it looked as if (Samantha) Schmitz wouldn't reach it, I knew for sure it would go in."
During the Vikings (5-7-2, 5-3-0) recent mistep at the Naperville Invitational, Keller suggested it was a combination of things on both sides of the ball that led to an 0-3-1 record. One was the absence during the tournament of his sophomore keeper, Jennifer Norris, who has already proven to be a rock-solid presence between the sticks.
"Norris gives us a presence in our end. She is strong in the air, fearless, and plays with a confidence that we need since we have so many new faces in our starting lineup," said Keller.
The sophomore is also a tremendous shot-stopper - witnessed by two sensational second half saves to help keep her mates in the match when it was all one-way traffic from the visitors.
Fourth-ranked Barrington (11-2-2, 8-0-0), who lost the heart of its championship club to graduation, has just four returning players from that team in its first eleven -- most of the rest are either freshmen and sophomores.
"We play a great schedule, against most of the best teams in the state, but with so many inexperienced players (there's) still a period of adjustment for them as they find out what it's like to have a target on your back everytime we go out, because we're the defending state champs," said Barrington manager Ryan Stengren.
"That's the way Fremd came at us during that first 15-20 minutes. We hung in there, putting two more in after they got back even.
"At the break, I challenged everyone to be better, win balls, control the midfield, and to continue to create chances and keep Fremd in its end for as long as we could. They did.
"I was very proud of their effort and work."
After Barrington's Ashley Armando won a ball, she put it on the foot of Ellie McAuley. The sophomore went right at the Vikings backline, which resulted in her being taken down in the box.
Prell fired her spot-kick in with plenty of pace and direction to give the Fillies a lead at 33 minutes that they would never relinquish.
Four minutes later, Herr made the home side pay for its inability to clear the area when the senior found just enough space to steer in her close-range attempt after a Christine Batliner corner unraveled the Vikings.
"A big difference tonight was how hard Barrington went to the ball on all of its tackles and challenges," said a disappointed Keller. "We were not as forceful or fierce in ours. That helped lead to all three goals for them."
The two late first period goals swung the pendulum clearly in favor of the Fillies. That was further illustrated by their stunning 12 deep throws and the four corners created in the first quarter hour of the second period.
Fremd remained resolute.
"We had a little trouble earlier in the year when we hung our heads when our opponents scored on us, (but) we didn't do that tonight (in) fact we stayed strong," said Vikings senior Marta Cholewa.
"But in the second half we were under pressure for so long, we had such a hard time getting out of our own end."
Cholewa, who wears the captain's armband for Keller with pride, is a classic center back, one who plays the position with composure, passion, grit and the ability to tackle voraciously.
Prell and her running mate up-top, Tina Teik, were trouble all night long for the Vikings. The duo, in sync with Herr, Ashley Rocco, and left outside back Madi Rosen, received several deadly balls out of the back.
"Ashley was terrific tonight alongside Herr, who together won so many balls for us in the middle to be difference-makers for us," Stengren said.
Rosen sent an inward swinging corner off the bar in the 48th minute then later was allowed time to tee-up a 30-yard missile that went just over.
The Fillies continued to pile on the pressure after the two Rosen attempts and watched Norris push a Rocco strike up and over the woodwork before another superb save against Prell, whose clever turn put her free of her mark.
Stengren began to bring several of his first team off for the night 10 minutes from time, but waited a little while longer to take off sophomore Juliana Moreno, who sparkled in her return after being away for two weeks due to an injury.
"Having Juliana back in the middle of our backline makes us a totally different team, because it allows us to keep Christine (Batliner) on the outside where she can run up and down, join the attack, or give us service out of the back," said Stengren.
"This was a nice win -- a really important one. But we have to keep playing well this week to get three points in each game to win the division," said Prell.
The Fillies still have Buffalo Grove and Prospect this week. If Barrington stumbles, its league finale against Conant on Saturday could decide the MSL West crown.
Click here to see updated Mid-Suburban League standings
Fremd has five games left on its pre-state playoffs dance card. Rolling Meadows (May 2), Schaumburg (May 4), Elk Grove (May 5) and a Mid-Suburban League cross-over May 8 complete its league schedule. The Vikings will close with a tough finale against no. 2 New Trier on May 11.
Starting lineups
Barrington (4-4-3)
GK- Sam Schmitz
D- Madi Rosen
D- Kate McGreevy
D- Juliana Moreno
D- Christine Batliner
M- Rebecca Shomaker
M- Michayla Herr
M- Ashley Rocco
F- Tina Teik
F- Ashley Prell
F- Jen Devona
Fremd (4-5-1)
GK- Jennifer Norris
D- Elizabeth Prigge
D- Marta Cholewa
D- Lauren Burk
D- Emma Katovich
M- Allie Prigge
M- Madeline McCarthy
M- Mackenzie Stein
M- Ashley Scesniak
M- Layla Dib
F- Caeleigh Stone
Chicagoland Soccer co-MVPs of the Match: Michayla Herr, sr., MF, Barrington
Ashley Prell, jr., F, Barrington
Referee: Nikola Aleksic
Scoring Summary
First half
Barrington: Prell (Shomaker) 9'
Fremd: Scesniak (U/A) 18'
Barrington: Prell (PK) 33'
Barrington: Herr (Batliner) 37'
Yellow cards
None