Fremd tops Canterbury in friendly battle
Vikings score 4-0 win over Ind. guests; play 1st game on new turf
By Mike Garofola
PALATINE -- Who better to help Fremd open its home season and the new turf field at Hildebrandt Field than a valued friend of Vikings coach Steve Keller? Gene Mauch, the highly respected manager of Canterbury High School, out of Fort Wayne, Ind., more than fit the bill.
The two friends put together a mini soccer invite, along with two other longtime friends and coaching counterparts, Mike Wiggins, of Hinsdale Central, and Willie Filian from crosstown Palatine. The quartet ushers in a new era of soccer on the Vikings turf, which was installed during the summer.
The Vikings showed during the first hour or so that they are worthy of consideration as a top-of-the-table finisher in the Mid-Suburban League this season after an impresive 4-0 victory Friday afternoon.
The hosts play Hinsdale Central today at 5 p.m. Saturday, while Mauch and his Cavaliers face Palatine in the opener at 3 p.m.
"(Mauch) was a longtime manager for Indiana University (before) my time there, but we've worked camps at IU forever. So we go back a long way," began Keller, who starred at Indiana and was part of the Hoosiers second place finish in 1994 to Virginia. "And we've been talking about playing each other for years.
"Greg would always be one of the coordinators at summer camps, and he was the guy who told me what to do, when to do it, and where to be. And we became fast friends," continued Keller, whose been the man in charge at Fremd since 1998.
"(Greg) is a great guy and a highly successful coach, so we were thrilled to get this thing together for our first games on our new turf. And along with Wiggins and Willie, this made for a fun weekend for all of us."
Last season Mauch, now in his 38th year at Canterbury, set an Indiana state record when his club won its sixth state soccer title during his tenure. The new standard came during the first year in which the Indiana high school association went to a three-class system.
In the championship, the Cavaliers defeated then no. 1-rated Covenant Christian 2-1 at Butler University's Selleck Bowl in Indianapolis.
"We've got just 300 kids at our school, but there's a lot of tradition in the sport at Canterbury," said Mauch. "And although we're a little down this year, this was a perfect trip for us to come see and play some big school competition from Illinois and get to see Steve while we were here."
Keller, worried that the new turf may not be ready for this much-anticipated weekend, booked Mauch and his men in hotels in Oak Brook, closer to Wiggins' soccer park at Hinsdale Central, but the extra miles on the bus for the Cavaliers didn't bother Mauch one bit.
"Steve has us in a great area -- a lot of restaurants, shopping, and it's really an easy drive for us when you consider we usually have long bus rides during the regular season for our games," said Mauch, who plans to treat his lads to meals at Giordano's and Portillo's.
Mauch and his superb coaching records, alongside those of Filian, Keller, Wiggins, and Vikings assistant Gerardo Pagnani gave the faithful viewing this doubleheader a look at coaching royalty -- the quintet is close to a cumulative 2,000 career victories plus double-digit state championships.
"We came here with no expectations, but to play a couple of strong, big school teams to give a young team some experience to get them ready for our state playoffs, bond as a team and have some fun at the same time," said Mauch.
The Vikings (3-1-1) enjoyed the best of the play against the Cavaliers (1-4-2), who featured seven seniors in its championship first 11 of a season ago.
"We lost a lot, so now the opportunity for others opened up," said Clayton Perry, the Cavs keeper, who was also between the sticks last season for Mauch. "It's just that we'll be learning as we go (and) hopefully enough in order to get ourselves ready for the end of the season
"Fremd was big, fast and really quick on the ball. We struggled with that in the first half when they really came at us, but we settled in and played much better in the second half," added Perry, who is just one of four seniors on the Canterbury roster.
The Vikings, flush with four players back after a year away playing with FC Sockers, didn't take long to establish the pace of the first period of play. Fremd scored in the first 10 minutes, then proceded to keep the Cavaliers under pressure right up until the whistle of the referee ended the opening period.
Anthony Tambellini, a returning club player along with junior Jake Schoffstall, the Vikings terrific two-year starting centerback, both agreed the effort on this day was solid, but not as complete as it was during the season opening 1-0 victory at Evanston.
The teammates echoed they were better for a longer part of the game.
Keller was happy the play he saw from his lads was improved after the 4-0 loss last weekend against Notre Dame (Peoria).
"Three goals in the first six minutes (last week) is not acceptable at any points, and especially from a team like this one that has the players and roster capable of staying away from such starts," said a critical Keller.
"I liked what I saw in stretches today on both sides of the ball. (You) saw that we have the players who can attack, create and finish. It's going to be about being able to maintain that level of play for 80 minutes and for us to manage the game at a high level.
"Again, there's talent here that will be able to play entertaining, but efficient soccer, but we've got a long way to go until we reach that level."
Newcomers Dorian Lesiuk and Tambellini would have a hand in three of the four Vikings goals. Another, Connor Sapiente, did not make it on the scoreline but did his part in the middle of the park with his playmaking and technical skill to keep his counterparts from the Cavaliers from generating anything of value through the run of play.
"The new guys back from club, along with the rest of us who played a lot last year, are starting to come together, and we all feel confident that if we continue to work hard, we will have a good chance to win it all, and have a great run in the playoffs," said Schoffstall, whose younger brother Eli saw considerable time after the home side increased its lead in the second period.
Lesiuk struck at nine minutes when he took a Russell Beaupre ball comfortably in stride before going past the aforementioned Perry, who had little chance on this close-range attempt.
With the Cavaliers having little luck in getting out of their own end, the Vikings looked sharp when building from the back and along the outside, with Josh Bennett enjoying plenty of the play with his enterprising runs up the flanks and service provided into the area.
Tambellini dribbled out of and away from pressure before connecting with Sapiente, who then watched Nick Austin lash his attempt at Perry from 20 yards in the 17th minute. That started a series of quality chances from the Vikings, two of which forced Perry to save valiantly.
Beaupre ran from out of nowhere to latch onto a Bennett helper but went wide with his effort. That led to a looping ball over the topper from Tambellini and then Bennett. The sequence ended when Sapiente has his attempt turned away by Perry for a corner.
It was more one-way traffic by the Vikings with an early ball from Lesiuk finding Kyle Johnston, and if not for a brave challenge off his line by Perry, the Fremd sophomore would have likely gone in.
The Cavaliers defense let down in its coverage inside the box - allowing John Kating enough time to tee-up the Vikings next strike in the 28th minute to double the advantage of the home side.
"We knew (they) were a little young and inexperienced, but we still had to take advantage of the situation (which) we did for most of the day to score some nice goals," said Tambellini.
Fremd goalkeeper Artur Cholewa, a spectator for most of the first half, enjoyed his first touch when C.J. Williams played a ball back to the junior to get him involved just before the break. The junior wasn't seriously tested until late in the contest when he saved a free kick attempt from Jonathan Bowen.
The Caviliers sophomore watched Cholewa push a more dangerous effort up and over the bar at 68 minutes when his last second leap stopped the Bowen blast from finding the back of the net.
Tambellini, Sapiente and Jake Schoffstall all went close, but it was Beaupre who struck in the 53rd minute when quick, inch-perfect passes from Tambellini and Lesiuk allowed the junior to deftly finish after holding off pressure from a Caviliers defender.
Lesiuk's diving header off a lovely helper by Bennett made it 4-0 near the hour.
Aftward, Keller took off many of his first 11 off for good, while the visitors to their credit played with energy and grit up until the final whistle.
Canterbury's Paul Helmich, Bowen and young players Zach Hobbs and Andrew Wojewuczki would stand out during this time and created a handful of potentially dangerous opportunities.
"We did some things well, and learned a few things about ourselves as well," Mauch said. "But Steve has a real nice=looking team that can do a lot on both sides of the ball. We hope we gave them a game, and we look forward to doing the same, and better tomorrow against Palatine," said Mauch before heading back to the team hotel.
Keller concluded: "Greg is such a great guy, I cannot tell you how much I enjoy being around him, and I am so happy that they were able to come here to play this weekend.
"As far as our play, as I said, I saw some things I was very happy with today.
"For this team to succeed, we need to continue to work on the little things, while being focused on all facets of the game and its preparation, which includes buying into what we're preaching.
"It was easy for us to possess and attack against an inexperienced team. Greg was keeping nine ... behind the ball and just sitting in, but you can still learn from playing against that style and tactical approach.
"We will see how we do against Hinsdale tomorrow, who will present a different look for us to go after."
Starting lineups
Canterubury (4-4-2)
G- Clayton Perry
D- Yahya Jan
D- Tucker Arnold
D- Joel Groninger
D- Lukas Reelsen
M- Pablo Munoz
M- Zach Hobbs
M- Jonathan Bowen
M- Paul Helmich
F- Justin Baeten
F- Connor Davidson
Fremd (4-4-2)
G- Artur Cholewa
D- Jake Scesniak
D- Jake Schoffstall
D- Cole Jackson
D- Kaelan Conway
M- Dorian Lesiuk
M- Anthony Tambellini
M- Connor Sapiente
M- Vince Daidone
F- Russell Beaupre
F- Josh Bennett
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Dorian Lesiuk, sr., MF, Fremd
Referee: Keith Angel
Scoring Summary
First half
Fremd: Lesiuk (Beaupre) 9'
Fremd: Kating (Johnston, Scesniak) 28'
Second half
Fremd: Beaupre (Tambellini, Lesiuk) 53'
Fremd: Lesiuk (Bennett) 57'
Vikings score 4-0 win over Ind. guests; play 1st game on new turf
By Mike Garofola
PALATINE -- Who better to help Fremd open its home season and the new turf field at Hildebrandt Field than a valued friend of Vikings coach Steve Keller? Gene Mauch, the highly respected manager of Canterbury High School, out of Fort Wayne, Ind., more than fit the bill.
The two friends put together a mini soccer invite, along with two other longtime friends and coaching counterparts, Mike Wiggins, of Hinsdale Central, and Willie Filian from crosstown Palatine. The quartet ushers in a new era of soccer on the Vikings turf, which was installed during the summer.
The Vikings showed during the first hour or so that they are worthy of consideration as a top-of-the-table finisher in the Mid-Suburban League this season after an impresive 4-0 victory Friday afternoon.
The hosts play Hinsdale Central today at 5 p.m. Saturday, while Mauch and his Cavaliers face Palatine in the opener at 3 p.m.
"(Mauch) was a longtime manager for Indiana University (before) my time there, but we've worked camps at IU forever. So we go back a long way," began Keller, who starred at Indiana and was part of the Hoosiers second place finish in 1994 to Virginia. "And we've been talking about playing each other for years.
"Greg would always be one of the coordinators at summer camps, and he was the guy who told me what to do, when to do it, and where to be. And we became fast friends," continued Keller, whose been the man in charge at Fremd since 1998.
"(Greg) is a great guy and a highly successful coach, so we were thrilled to get this thing together for our first games on our new turf. And along with Wiggins and Willie, this made for a fun weekend for all of us."
Last season Mauch, now in his 38th year at Canterbury, set an Indiana state record when his club won its sixth state soccer title during his tenure. The new standard came during the first year in which the Indiana high school association went to a three-class system.
In the championship, the Cavaliers defeated then no. 1-rated Covenant Christian 2-1 at Butler University's Selleck Bowl in Indianapolis.
"We've got just 300 kids at our school, but there's a lot of tradition in the sport at Canterbury," said Mauch. "And although we're a little down this year, this was a perfect trip for us to come see and play some big school competition from Illinois and get to see Steve while we were here."
Keller, worried that the new turf may not be ready for this much-anticipated weekend, booked Mauch and his men in hotels in Oak Brook, closer to Wiggins' soccer park at Hinsdale Central, but the extra miles on the bus for the Cavaliers didn't bother Mauch one bit.
"Steve has us in a great area -- a lot of restaurants, shopping, and it's really an easy drive for us when you consider we usually have long bus rides during the regular season for our games," said Mauch, who plans to treat his lads to meals at Giordano's and Portillo's.
Mauch and his superb coaching records, alongside those of Filian, Keller, Wiggins, and Vikings assistant Gerardo Pagnani gave the faithful viewing this doubleheader a look at coaching royalty -- the quintet is close to a cumulative 2,000 career victories plus double-digit state championships.
"We came here with no expectations, but to play a couple of strong, big school teams to give a young team some experience to get them ready for our state playoffs, bond as a team and have some fun at the same time," said Mauch.
The Vikings (3-1-1) enjoyed the best of the play against the Cavaliers (1-4-2), who featured seven seniors in its championship first 11 of a season ago.
"We lost a lot, so now the opportunity for others opened up," said Clayton Perry, the Cavs keeper, who was also between the sticks last season for Mauch. "It's just that we'll be learning as we go (and) hopefully enough in order to get ourselves ready for the end of the season
"Fremd was big, fast and really quick on the ball. We struggled with that in the first half when they really came at us, but we settled in and played much better in the second half," added Perry, who is just one of four seniors on the Canterbury roster.
The Vikings, flush with four players back after a year away playing with FC Sockers, didn't take long to establish the pace of the first period of play. Fremd scored in the first 10 minutes, then proceded to keep the Cavaliers under pressure right up until the whistle of the referee ended the opening period.
Anthony Tambellini, a returning club player along with junior Jake Schoffstall, the Vikings terrific two-year starting centerback, both agreed the effort on this day was solid, but not as complete as it was during the season opening 1-0 victory at Evanston.
The teammates echoed they were better for a longer part of the game.
Keller was happy the play he saw from his lads was improved after the 4-0 loss last weekend against Notre Dame (Peoria).
"Three goals in the first six minutes (last week) is not acceptable at any points, and especially from a team like this one that has the players and roster capable of staying away from such starts," said a critical Keller.
"I liked what I saw in stretches today on both sides of the ball. (You) saw that we have the players who can attack, create and finish. It's going to be about being able to maintain that level of play for 80 minutes and for us to manage the game at a high level.
"Again, there's talent here that will be able to play entertaining, but efficient soccer, but we've got a long way to go until we reach that level."
Newcomers Dorian Lesiuk and Tambellini would have a hand in three of the four Vikings goals. Another, Connor Sapiente, did not make it on the scoreline but did his part in the middle of the park with his playmaking and technical skill to keep his counterparts from the Cavaliers from generating anything of value through the run of play.
"The new guys back from club, along with the rest of us who played a lot last year, are starting to come together, and we all feel confident that if we continue to work hard, we will have a good chance to win it all, and have a great run in the playoffs," said Schoffstall, whose younger brother Eli saw considerable time after the home side increased its lead in the second period.
Lesiuk struck at nine minutes when he took a Russell Beaupre ball comfortably in stride before going past the aforementioned Perry, who had little chance on this close-range attempt.
With the Cavaliers having little luck in getting out of their own end, the Vikings looked sharp when building from the back and along the outside, with Josh Bennett enjoying plenty of the play with his enterprising runs up the flanks and service provided into the area.
Tambellini dribbled out of and away from pressure before connecting with Sapiente, who then watched Nick Austin lash his attempt at Perry from 20 yards in the 17th minute. That started a series of quality chances from the Vikings, two of which forced Perry to save valiantly.
Beaupre ran from out of nowhere to latch onto a Bennett helper but went wide with his effort. That led to a looping ball over the topper from Tambellini and then Bennett. The sequence ended when Sapiente has his attempt turned away by Perry for a corner.
It was more one-way traffic by the Vikings with an early ball from Lesiuk finding Kyle Johnston, and if not for a brave challenge off his line by Perry, the Fremd sophomore would have likely gone in.
The Cavaliers defense let down in its coverage inside the box - allowing John Kating enough time to tee-up the Vikings next strike in the 28th minute to double the advantage of the home side.
"We knew (they) were a little young and inexperienced, but we still had to take advantage of the situation (which) we did for most of the day to score some nice goals," said Tambellini.
Fremd goalkeeper Artur Cholewa, a spectator for most of the first half, enjoyed his first touch when C.J. Williams played a ball back to the junior to get him involved just before the break. The junior wasn't seriously tested until late in the contest when he saved a free kick attempt from Jonathan Bowen.
The Caviliers sophomore watched Cholewa push a more dangerous effort up and over the bar at 68 minutes when his last second leap stopped the Bowen blast from finding the back of the net.
Tambellini, Sapiente and Jake Schoffstall all went close, but it was Beaupre who struck in the 53rd minute when quick, inch-perfect passes from Tambellini and Lesiuk allowed the junior to deftly finish after holding off pressure from a Caviliers defender.
Lesiuk's diving header off a lovely helper by Bennett made it 4-0 near the hour.
Aftward, Keller took off many of his first 11 off for good, while the visitors to their credit played with energy and grit up until the final whistle.
Canterbury's Paul Helmich, Bowen and young players Zach Hobbs and Andrew Wojewuczki would stand out during this time and created a handful of potentially dangerous opportunities.
"We did some things well, and learned a few things about ourselves as well," Mauch said. "But Steve has a real nice=looking team that can do a lot on both sides of the ball. We hope we gave them a game, and we look forward to doing the same, and better tomorrow against Palatine," said Mauch before heading back to the team hotel.
Keller concluded: "Greg is such a great guy, I cannot tell you how much I enjoy being around him, and I am so happy that they were able to come here to play this weekend.
"As far as our play, as I said, I saw some things I was very happy with today.
"For this team to succeed, we need to continue to work on the little things, while being focused on all facets of the game and its preparation, which includes buying into what we're preaching.
"It was easy for us to possess and attack against an inexperienced team. Greg was keeping nine ... behind the ball and just sitting in, but you can still learn from playing against that style and tactical approach.
"We will see how we do against Hinsdale tomorrow, who will present a different look for us to go after."
Starting lineups
Canterubury (4-4-2)
G- Clayton Perry
D- Yahya Jan
D- Tucker Arnold
D- Joel Groninger
D- Lukas Reelsen
M- Pablo Munoz
M- Zach Hobbs
M- Jonathan Bowen
M- Paul Helmich
F- Justin Baeten
F- Connor Davidson
Fremd (4-4-2)
G- Artur Cholewa
D- Jake Scesniak
D- Jake Schoffstall
D- Cole Jackson
D- Kaelan Conway
M- Dorian Lesiuk
M- Anthony Tambellini
M- Connor Sapiente
M- Vince Daidone
F- Russell Beaupre
F- Josh Bennett
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Dorian Lesiuk, sr., MF, Fremd
Referee: Keith Angel
Scoring Summary
First half
Fremd: Lesiuk (Beaupre) 9'
Fremd: Kating (Johnston, Scesniak) 28'
Second half
Fremd: Beaupre (Tambellini, Lesiuk) 53'
Fremd: Lesiuk (Bennett) 57'