Fremd gives no. 1 Barrington 1st loss
Late Stewart goal give Vikings 2-1 win
By Mike Garofola
BARRINGTON -- While it's a little too late for Fremd to revive its ambitions of a division title, the Vikings may have changed the course of history for Barrington in its quest to win an unprecedented eighth-consecutive Mid-Suburban League crown.
The Vikings inflicted some major damage to those hopes Wednesday night at Barrington Community Stadium when Claire Stewart delivered the game-winner in the 74th minute to help her club defeat the two-time defending state champs 2-1.
The loss ended a 20-game Barrington unbeaten streak (19-0-1) that extended back to May 9, 2018.
"It was an amazing game to be playing in," said Stewart, who kept the Fillies (11-1-1, 8-1-0) from tightening their grip on the division and dropping them into second place behind undefeated Conant (8-0-1).
"At that particular part of the game, all it was about was trying to get something on frame, so when the ball fell to me, that's exactly what I did," added Stewart, whose looping, angled effort from the right side nested into the far inside netting to settle what was a contentious 80-minute contest between two longstanding league rivals.
Steve Keller's club rode its luck in the first 20 minutes as it saw the Fillies duo of Tina Teik and Rebecca Shomaker have point-blank strikes blocked before reaching keeper Jennifer Norris. And the home side claiming far too many corners (seven) during this same stretch.
"Barrington put us under heavy pressure from the opening whistle and kept it up with their possession and quick ball movement in addition to creating corners," began Keller.
"We just weren't very clean with most of our play in the first half, and it nearly cost us on a couple of occasions.
"But as we got a little further into that first half and we began to settle down and play with a little more composure, we scored the first goal of the game which really helped us a lot."
Barrington's hot start yielded no reward.
"We did have a very good start," lamented Fillies manager, Ryan Stengren. "We did the things that we do well, won balls in the middle, found our forwards and moved and played quickly; did everything but finish. And when you don't take advantage of your chances, it can come back to haunt you in the end."
Fremd senior forward Emma Spotak hounded the Fillies backline all through the evening, gave her mates a chance nearly each and every time the senior was on the ball.
After Barrington's Teik and Caroline Kilayko combined to earn the Fillies one of its first half corners, Madi Rosnen's well-aimed serve stayed in the Vikings box long enough for Shomaker to have an unsuccessful go on frame, and eventually Fremd's Christy Murauskis cleared the area.
Murauskis, who returned from club soccer to play her final year of high school at Fremd, was marvelous whether in the middle or along the backline. Keller deployed the senior there when his topflight center back Lauren Burk aggravated an injured hamstring just minutes into the second period.
"No. 25 (Murauskis) had a great game," said an admiring Stengren.
"She plays hard, wins nearly every battle in the air or on the ground, and in my opinion was one of the reasons Fremd won tonight."
As the Fillies continued to fall short in the final third after having most of the possession, the Vikings (8-3-2, 5-1-2) ability to win more balls in the middle and match the intensity in its tackles with the home side slowly turned the game in favor of the visitors.
"It took us awhile tonight to play at the level of Barrington," Spotak said. "But before the game and at the half, (Keller) told us that grit and a great work rate could be the difference. And I feel like that's what happened, especially in the second half when it was back-and-forth, hard-fought soccer."
Spotak, who shared the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor with Christine Batliner, Barrington's terrific outside back, scored the opener when Murauskis stretched the backline of the Fillies with a powerful header.
"Christy hit a big header over the top, and I ran onto the ball and just one-timed it when I got to it," said Spotak, who made her marvelous finish sound easier than it looked.
"Spotak was nonstop tonight," said Keller. "She created a lot of trouble with her constant running at their backline and created a couple of good chances for herself as well."
Barrington responded strongly after the break and drew level in the 42nd minute after an enterprising run up the right side from Ellie McAuley saw the junior play a sharp ball into the box.
Once there, a cool and calm Teik buried her seventh of the season with a quality finish.
"We were back in it and (back) to playing the way we did at the start of the game," began Stengren.
"But we got away from playing our style, and instead allowed Fremd to dictate the play, which they are very good at doing."
It was on the Teik equalizer that Burk fell to the turf inside the Vikings box. She required assistance to her bench, and the Vikings moved Murauskis into the backline alongside Liz Prigge.
"Christy can do so much for us," said Keller. "It really doesn't matter where we put her. She just plays at incredible level in each game."
Another star in the game would suffer an injury, this time it was Teik, who walked off with some help after an ankle problem. The junior received treatment and returned before the hour.
There wasn't much flow and aesthetic beauty for the next quarter hour after the Teik goal. What there was was plenty of urgency and ferocious tackles with every kind of ball challenged.
From nothing, Spotak nearly surprised the big crowd. After a scrum, her snap-shot rattled the bar in the 67th minute. Barrington's Batliner followed with a 30-yard strike that called Norris into action.
Batliner equalled Spotak's energy level and work rate. The four-year veteran provided Stengrens' club with boundless pace on the right flank and several serves into the box that a lesser defensive unit might have fallen prey to.
"Christine had a great night for us," Stengren said. "So did Ashley Rocco and Jen Devona, but Fremd was a little better than us tonight."
When Allie Prigge created a corner for the visitors, it led to the Stewart game-winner. The Fillies cleared the initial corner serve but failed to do the same to the second ball just outside the box.
"We struggled doing that (clearing) on a number of occasions tonight," said Stengren. (Fremd) was better at it than us. And at a critical time, our inability to get the back out of the area cost us."
Fremd's awakening turned things around.
"We were not very good at the start, and it looked real iffy for us," said Stewart. "But as Emma (Spotak) said, it was all about playing hard, taking their game away and playing with a lot of grit."
"It was a hard-fought game by two good teams," began Keller. "But there was so much more purpose in our game in the second half which was something that I was happy with, and one of the reasons we got the result we did.
"We had so many players who stepped up tonight: (Liz) Prigge, Christy, Spok (Spotak), Claire Stewart, Palak Khera, Kat (Emma Katovich) the list goes on. And that's how you win a big game."
It appears Fremd may have turned a corner.
"We were just awful two weeks ago when we lost to Loyola Academy, but we're playing some of our best soccer right now," said Spotak. "So a win against a team as good as Barrington confirms we can play with the best."
There was no time for Barrington, which has been top-ranked in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 for the entire season, to wallow in the defeat. The Fillies beat no. 20 Loyola 2-1 Thursday to qualify for the Naperville Invitational semifinals and perhaps more.
"This loss does not define our season," said Stengren. "It hurts, yes, but we lost to a very good opponent, who always, always gives us 80 hard minutes."
"Last year's championship team would grind out a win here and there, so maybe that's what this team will need to learn how to do."
Starting lineups
Fremd (4-4-2)
G- Jennifer Norris
D- Allie Prigge
D- Lauren Burk
D- Liz Prigge
D Palak Khera
M- Caleigh Stone
M- Kayla Tanner
M- Christy Murauskis
M- Mackenzie Stein
F- Emma Spotak
F- Ashley Scesniak
Barrington (4-4-2)
G- Coast Liapis
D- Madi Rosen
D- Juliana Moreno
D- Kate McGreevy
D- Christine Batliner
M- Rebecca Shomaker
M- Ashley Rocco
M- Tina Teik
M- Jen Devona
F- Ellie McAuley
F- Ashley Armando
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match: Emma Spotak, sr., F, Fremd
Christine Batliner, sr., D, Barrington
Referee: Richard Zielinski
Scoring summary
First half
Fremd: Spotak (Murauskis) 34'
Second half
Barrington: Teik (McAuley) 42'
Fremd: Stewart (U/A) 74'
Late Stewart goal give Vikings 2-1 win
By Mike Garofola
BARRINGTON -- While it's a little too late for Fremd to revive its ambitions of a division title, the Vikings may have changed the course of history for Barrington in its quest to win an unprecedented eighth-consecutive Mid-Suburban League crown.
The Vikings inflicted some major damage to those hopes Wednesday night at Barrington Community Stadium when Claire Stewart delivered the game-winner in the 74th minute to help her club defeat the two-time defending state champs 2-1.
The loss ended a 20-game Barrington unbeaten streak (19-0-1) that extended back to May 9, 2018.
"It was an amazing game to be playing in," said Stewart, who kept the Fillies (11-1-1, 8-1-0) from tightening their grip on the division and dropping them into second place behind undefeated Conant (8-0-1).
"At that particular part of the game, all it was about was trying to get something on frame, so when the ball fell to me, that's exactly what I did," added Stewart, whose looping, angled effort from the right side nested into the far inside netting to settle what was a contentious 80-minute contest between two longstanding league rivals.
Steve Keller's club rode its luck in the first 20 minutes as it saw the Fillies duo of Tina Teik and Rebecca Shomaker have point-blank strikes blocked before reaching keeper Jennifer Norris. And the home side claiming far too many corners (seven) during this same stretch.
"Barrington put us under heavy pressure from the opening whistle and kept it up with their possession and quick ball movement in addition to creating corners," began Keller.
"We just weren't very clean with most of our play in the first half, and it nearly cost us on a couple of occasions.
"But as we got a little further into that first half and we began to settle down and play with a little more composure, we scored the first goal of the game which really helped us a lot."
Barrington's hot start yielded no reward.
"We did have a very good start," lamented Fillies manager, Ryan Stengren. "We did the things that we do well, won balls in the middle, found our forwards and moved and played quickly; did everything but finish. And when you don't take advantage of your chances, it can come back to haunt you in the end."
Fremd senior forward Emma Spotak hounded the Fillies backline all through the evening, gave her mates a chance nearly each and every time the senior was on the ball.
After Barrington's Teik and Caroline Kilayko combined to earn the Fillies one of its first half corners, Madi Rosnen's well-aimed serve stayed in the Vikings box long enough for Shomaker to have an unsuccessful go on frame, and eventually Fremd's Christy Murauskis cleared the area.
Murauskis, who returned from club soccer to play her final year of high school at Fremd, was marvelous whether in the middle or along the backline. Keller deployed the senior there when his topflight center back Lauren Burk aggravated an injured hamstring just minutes into the second period.
"No. 25 (Murauskis) had a great game," said an admiring Stengren.
"She plays hard, wins nearly every battle in the air or on the ground, and in my opinion was one of the reasons Fremd won tonight."
As the Fillies continued to fall short in the final third after having most of the possession, the Vikings (8-3-2, 5-1-2) ability to win more balls in the middle and match the intensity in its tackles with the home side slowly turned the game in favor of the visitors.
"It took us awhile tonight to play at the level of Barrington," Spotak said. "But before the game and at the half, (Keller) told us that grit and a great work rate could be the difference. And I feel like that's what happened, especially in the second half when it was back-and-forth, hard-fought soccer."
Spotak, who shared the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor with Christine Batliner, Barrington's terrific outside back, scored the opener when Murauskis stretched the backline of the Fillies with a powerful header.
"Christy hit a big header over the top, and I ran onto the ball and just one-timed it when I got to it," said Spotak, who made her marvelous finish sound easier than it looked.
"Spotak was nonstop tonight," said Keller. "She created a lot of trouble with her constant running at their backline and created a couple of good chances for herself as well."
Barrington responded strongly after the break and drew level in the 42nd minute after an enterprising run up the right side from Ellie McAuley saw the junior play a sharp ball into the box.
Once there, a cool and calm Teik buried her seventh of the season with a quality finish.
"We were back in it and (back) to playing the way we did at the start of the game," began Stengren.
"But we got away from playing our style, and instead allowed Fremd to dictate the play, which they are very good at doing."
It was on the Teik equalizer that Burk fell to the turf inside the Vikings box. She required assistance to her bench, and the Vikings moved Murauskis into the backline alongside Liz Prigge.
"Christy can do so much for us," said Keller. "It really doesn't matter where we put her. She just plays at incredible level in each game."
Another star in the game would suffer an injury, this time it was Teik, who walked off with some help after an ankle problem. The junior received treatment and returned before the hour.
There wasn't much flow and aesthetic beauty for the next quarter hour after the Teik goal. What there was was plenty of urgency and ferocious tackles with every kind of ball challenged.
From nothing, Spotak nearly surprised the big crowd. After a scrum, her snap-shot rattled the bar in the 67th minute. Barrington's Batliner followed with a 30-yard strike that called Norris into action.
Batliner equalled Spotak's energy level and work rate. The four-year veteran provided Stengrens' club with boundless pace on the right flank and several serves into the box that a lesser defensive unit might have fallen prey to.
"Christine had a great night for us," Stengren said. "So did Ashley Rocco and Jen Devona, but Fremd was a little better than us tonight."
When Allie Prigge created a corner for the visitors, it led to the Stewart game-winner. The Fillies cleared the initial corner serve but failed to do the same to the second ball just outside the box.
"We struggled doing that (clearing) on a number of occasions tonight," said Stengren. (Fremd) was better at it than us. And at a critical time, our inability to get the back out of the area cost us."
Fremd's awakening turned things around.
"We were not very good at the start, and it looked real iffy for us," said Stewart. "But as Emma (Spotak) said, it was all about playing hard, taking their game away and playing with a lot of grit."
"It was a hard-fought game by two good teams," began Keller. "But there was so much more purpose in our game in the second half which was something that I was happy with, and one of the reasons we got the result we did.
"We had so many players who stepped up tonight: (Liz) Prigge, Christy, Spok (Spotak), Claire Stewart, Palak Khera, Kat (Emma Katovich) the list goes on. And that's how you win a big game."
It appears Fremd may have turned a corner.
"We were just awful two weeks ago when we lost to Loyola Academy, but we're playing some of our best soccer right now," said Spotak. "So a win against a team as good as Barrington confirms we can play with the best."
There was no time for Barrington, which has been top-ranked in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 for the entire season, to wallow in the defeat. The Fillies beat no. 20 Loyola 2-1 Thursday to qualify for the Naperville Invitational semifinals and perhaps more.
"This loss does not define our season," said Stengren. "It hurts, yes, but we lost to a very good opponent, who always, always gives us 80 hard minutes."
"Last year's championship team would grind out a win here and there, so maybe that's what this team will need to learn how to do."
Starting lineups
Fremd (4-4-2)
G- Jennifer Norris
D- Allie Prigge
D- Lauren Burk
D- Liz Prigge
D Palak Khera
M- Caleigh Stone
M- Kayla Tanner
M- Christy Murauskis
M- Mackenzie Stein
F- Emma Spotak
F- Ashley Scesniak
Barrington (4-4-2)
G- Coast Liapis
D- Madi Rosen
D- Juliana Moreno
D- Kate McGreevy
D- Christine Batliner
M- Rebecca Shomaker
M- Ashley Rocco
M- Tina Teik
M- Jen Devona
F- Ellie McAuley
F- Ashley Armando
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match: Emma Spotak, sr., F, Fremd
Christine Batliner, sr., D, Barrington
Referee: Richard Zielinski
Scoring summary
First half
Fremd: Spotak (Murauskis) 34'
Second half
Barrington: Teik (McAuley) 42'
Fremd: Stewart (U/A) 74'