Fremd hits 1st MSL
speed bump in Barrington
Vikings fall 1-0, see unbeaten league run end
By Mike Garofola
BARRINGTON -- With a goal-differential of plus 12 during its last five victories over league opponents, the talk around the conference was the Fremd looked like the most complete soccer club in the Mid-Suburban League thus far.
But Tuesday night at Barrington Community Stadium, the division leading Vikings (8-4-1, 6-1-1) slipped on the proverbial banana peel and fell back to earth following a 1-0 loss to the reigning MSL champion Broncos.
"This was a disappointing night of soccer for us," said manager Steve Keller. "Almost right from the very start, we were never in sync.
"We dribbled too much instead of playing the type of possession soccer that we've been very good at of late. We were slow to the ball. Our decision-making was poor, and in just about every facet of the game (Barrington) was better than us."
Keller's blunt evaluation of his club after it suffered its first loss of the season in league play leaves the Vikings four points clear (19-15) of both Barrington (10-5-2, 5-3-0) and Hoffman Estates, with a dangerous Wheeling squad up next Thursday at home at Hildebrandt Field.
"I think a lot of what happened tonight all began during our warm-up," said senior co-captain Connor Sapiente. "(It) just wasn't where it needed to be if we wanted to play at the level we've been at lately.
"Aside from that, I kind of believe we got caught up in our recent results and forgot that we have to come out and play with a great work rate and effort against every opponent we play."
It appeared as if the Vikings would pick up where they left off after a resounding 5-0 victory crosstown rival Palatine last weekend. The Vikings began the contest on their front foot led mostly by Joe Beaupre and Anthony Tambellini.
The dynamic duo created three deep throws and one free kick during the early exchanges with the crafty Tambellini going close with a pair of chances at Broncos keeper Cal Uhryniak.
"We knew how well Fremd had been playing, and that they were the team to beat in our division, but we also knew what to expect from them," offered Michael Horak.
"So it was important to give the best effort we could. And after a slow start, we started to take some control of the game.
"We lost Colton (Wever) to a broke collarbone, and he's been big for us, so everyone just had to step up and play a little harder tonight."
Horak, one of five sophomores in Scott Steib's first 11, did a marvelous job in the Broncos 4-3-3 formation, He sat just in front of the backline and won a high percentage of first and second balls, whether in the air or on the floor.
"Michael did a great job by winning so many 50-50 balls for us," said Steib. "While Niko (Argyros) was terrific with his distribution and in holding the ball alongside Michael in the middle of the park.
The pair of the coaches prized sophomores were named Chicagoland Soccer's Men of the Match.
"We didn't create a lot of chances tonight, but that goal by Junior (Hernandez) was brilliant, and it proved to be all we needed tonight," Steib said.
Hernandez, another sophomore, capped a five minute stretch in which the home side came to life thanks in part to some terrific individual work by Michael Blanke, Aidan Lew, Argyros, Horak and Hernandez.
It was a delightful early ball out of the back from C.J. Steib that Hernandez latched onto between a pair of Vikings that led to the game-winner. The speedy forward - used a sudden burst to gain just enough space to allow him to unload a low-flying, angled shot.
"That Junior was able to bring that ball down and have it moving around on him a little before he hit that incredible half-volley for a goal was just amazing," beamed the coach.
Hernandez's fifth goal of the campaign filled the confidence tanks of the home side while sending the Vikings reeling.
As he has in recent games, Keller brought on several fresh legs halfway through the first period. The move led to a couple of half chances at Uhryniak.
"We didn't respond very well after conceding that goal, just wasn't any fight in us," said Keller.
Omkar Prabhavalkar sped into the Vikings box only to have Aidan Johnston track back and tackle the Broncos senior before he could advance upon keeper Artur Cholewa.
On the other end of the field, Uhryniak looked at ease when he went airborne to fade back and catch a Jake Scesniak corner.
The keeper saved his best effort of the first half just before the break to help his mates hold the one-goal advantage. That's when the junior extended fully to push away a close range left-footed attempt from C.J. Williams.
Fremd looked to regain some of its pace and energy just after the intermission. Sapiente was at the center of the surge. The senior nearly broke into the area but was stopped by a a sharp tackle from Horak.
Uhryniak punched a looping free kick from Scesniak out of his box in the 56th minute.
Afterward the Vikings were booked for their third yellow card of the night.
"We didn't show a lot of composure tonight when things got more difficult for us," said Keller, who watched his top-flight centerback Jake Schoffstall sent off three minutes from time.
Barrington continued to play its cagey brand of soccer as it looked to manage its lead for the last 20 minutes.
Steib had his lads drop a little deeper than they were earlier, but they still looked to target the Broncos speed merchants up-top: Blanke, Hernandez, Prabhavlkar, and others the Broncos manager brought on to give his men a chance to recharge their batteries.
"Our work rate tonight was very good, to be honest maybe the difference in the game as I felt we were better with that, as well as how hard the guys worked as well," said the coach.
The Broncos continued to frustrate their guests with the way their forwards tracked back and tackled, relentless challenges in the middle of the park and a backline that stayed organized, and kept its shape.
The defining moment in this contest came in the 77th minute, when Vikings fans cheered what looked like the equalizer, but the Broncos faithful thanked the offside flag the assistant referee on the far side raised the moment Kaelan Conway send his near perfect free kick into the box.
That's where Jake Schoffstall somehow directed his effort in a crowd into the underbelly of the net.
However, while the Vikings mobbed Schoffstall and each other in celebration, the referee met with his assistant for a short discussion before giving the bad news to the Vikings.
It was at this time that Schoffstall, displeased with the call that erased his goal, was booked once, then twice for his dissent, sending the junior off for the remaining three minutes.
In the end, it was the Vikings inability to match the imagination, industry and purpose from its last five victories that stopped their five-game win streak.
"You hope that the guys learn a lesson from a game like this," said Keller. "Because if they didn't, it's a game like this that can end your season quickly.
"Credit Barrington, they deserved their result and were the better team tonight."
For the Broncos, this win keeps its faint hopes alive of a return to the MSL Soccer Cup alive.
"We had scored only eight goals entering this game," began Steib. "While Fremd hadn't scored many more (14), they had not conceded one goal in league play. So this was going to take a big effort from all of the guys tonight if we were hoping for victory.
"It's a terrific win for such a young team. We showed a lot of heart and grit for 80 minutes against a very good opponent."
The Broncos will be on the road Thursday at Elk Grove, which took MSL East leading Buffalo Grove into overtime before falling 1-0 last time out.
Starting lineups
Fremd (3-1-4-2)
G- Artur Cholewa
D- Colin Campbell
D- Jake Schoffstall
D- Kaelan Conway
DM- Vince Diadone
M- Jake Szensiak
M- Anthony Tambellini
M- Connor Sapiente
M- Josh Bennett
F- Dorian Lesiuk
F- Joe Beaupre
Barrington (4-3-3)
G- Cal Uhryniak
D- C.J. Steib
D- Jo Cidulka
D- Noah Sebens
D- Bryan Guarnero
M- Michael Horak
M- Aidan Lew
M- Niko Argyros
F- Junior Hernandez
F- Michael Blanke
F- Omkar Prabhavalkar
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Niko Argyros, so., M, Barrington
Michael Horak, so., DM, Barrington
Referee
John Anderson
Scoring summary
First half
Barrington: Hernandez (Steib) 19'
Second half
None
speed bump in Barrington
Vikings fall 1-0, see unbeaten league run end
By Mike Garofola
BARRINGTON -- With a goal-differential of plus 12 during its last five victories over league opponents, the talk around the conference was the Fremd looked like the most complete soccer club in the Mid-Suburban League thus far.
But Tuesday night at Barrington Community Stadium, the division leading Vikings (8-4-1, 6-1-1) slipped on the proverbial banana peel and fell back to earth following a 1-0 loss to the reigning MSL champion Broncos.
"This was a disappointing night of soccer for us," said manager Steve Keller. "Almost right from the very start, we were never in sync.
"We dribbled too much instead of playing the type of possession soccer that we've been very good at of late. We were slow to the ball. Our decision-making was poor, and in just about every facet of the game (Barrington) was better than us."
Keller's blunt evaluation of his club after it suffered its first loss of the season in league play leaves the Vikings four points clear (19-15) of both Barrington (10-5-2, 5-3-0) and Hoffman Estates, with a dangerous Wheeling squad up next Thursday at home at Hildebrandt Field.
"I think a lot of what happened tonight all began during our warm-up," said senior co-captain Connor Sapiente. "(It) just wasn't where it needed to be if we wanted to play at the level we've been at lately.
"Aside from that, I kind of believe we got caught up in our recent results and forgot that we have to come out and play with a great work rate and effort against every opponent we play."
It appeared as if the Vikings would pick up where they left off after a resounding 5-0 victory crosstown rival Palatine last weekend. The Vikings began the contest on their front foot led mostly by Joe Beaupre and Anthony Tambellini.
The dynamic duo created three deep throws and one free kick during the early exchanges with the crafty Tambellini going close with a pair of chances at Broncos keeper Cal Uhryniak.
"We knew how well Fremd had been playing, and that they were the team to beat in our division, but we also knew what to expect from them," offered Michael Horak.
"So it was important to give the best effort we could. And after a slow start, we started to take some control of the game.
"We lost Colton (Wever) to a broke collarbone, and he's been big for us, so everyone just had to step up and play a little harder tonight."
Horak, one of five sophomores in Scott Steib's first 11, did a marvelous job in the Broncos 4-3-3 formation, He sat just in front of the backline and won a high percentage of first and second balls, whether in the air or on the floor.
"Michael did a great job by winning so many 50-50 balls for us," said Steib. "While Niko (Argyros) was terrific with his distribution and in holding the ball alongside Michael in the middle of the park.
The pair of the coaches prized sophomores were named Chicagoland Soccer's Men of the Match.
"We didn't create a lot of chances tonight, but that goal by Junior (Hernandez) was brilliant, and it proved to be all we needed tonight," Steib said.
Hernandez, another sophomore, capped a five minute stretch in which the home side came to life thanks in part to some terrific individual work by Michael Blanke, Aidan Lew, Argyros, Horak and Hernandez.
It was a delightful early ball out of the back from C.J. Steib that Hernandez latched onto between a pair of Vikings that led to the game-winner. The speedy forward - used a sudden burst to gain just enough space to allow him to unload a low-flying, angled shot.
"That Junior was able to bring that ball down and have it moving around on him a little before he hit that incredible half-volley for a goal was just amazing," beamed the coach.
Hernandez's fifth goal of the campaign filled the confidence tanks of the home side while sending the Vikings reeling.
As he has in recent games, Keller brought on several fresh legs halfway through the first period. The move led to a couple of half chances at Uhryniak.
"We didn't respond very well after conceding that goal, just wasn't any fight in us," said Keller.
Omkar Prabhavalkar sped into the Vikings box only to have Aidan Johnston track back and tackle the Broncos senior before he could advance upon keeper Artur Cholewa.
On the other end of the field, Uhryniak looked at ease when he went airborne to fade back and catch a Jake Scesniak corner.
The keeper saved his best effort of the first half just before the break to help his mates hold the one-goal advantage. That's when the junior extended fully to push away a close range left-footed attempt from C.J. Williams.
Fremd looked to regain some of its pace and energy just after the intermission. Sapiente was at the center of the surge. The senior nearly broke into the area but was stopped by a a sharp tackle from Horak.
Uhryniak punched a looping free kick from Scesniak out of his box in the 56th minute.
Afterward the Vikings were booked for their third yellow card of the night.
"We didn't show a lot of composure tonight when things got more difficult for us," said Keller, who watched his top-flight centerback Jake Schoffstall sent off three minutes from time.
Barrington continued to play its cagey brand of soccer as it looked to manage its lead for the last 20 minutes.
Steib had his lads drop a little deeper than they were earlier, but they still looked to target the Broncos speed merchants up-top: Blanke, Hernandez, Prabhavlkar, and others the Broncos manager brought on to give his men a chance to recharge their batteries.
"Our work rate tonight was very good, to be honest maybe the difference in the game as I felt we were better with that, as well as how hard the guys worked as well," said the coach.
The Broncos continued to frustrate their guests with the way their forwards tracked back and tackled, relentless challenges in the middle of the park and a backline that stayed organized, and kept its shape.
The defining moment in this contest came in the 77th minute, when Vikings fans cheered what looked like the equalizer, but the Broncos faithful thanked the offside flag the assistant referee on the far side raised the moment Kaelan Conway send his near perfect free kick into the box.
That's where Jake Schoffstall somehow directed his effort in a crowd into the underbelly of the net.
However, while the Vikings mobbed Schoffstall and each other in celebration, the referee met with his assistant for a short discussion before giving the bad news to the Vikings.
It was at this time that Schoffstall, displeased with the call that erased his goal, was booked once, then twice for his dissent, sending the junior off for the remaining three minutes.
In the end, it was the Vikings inability to match the imagination, industry and purpose from its last five victories that stopped their five-game win streak.
"You hope that the guys learn a lesson from a game like this," said Keller. "Because if they didn't, it's a game like this that can end your season quickly.
"Credit Barrington, they deserved their result and were the better team tonight."
For the Broncos, this win keeps its faint hopes alive of a return to the MSL Soccer Cup alive.
"We had scored only eight goals entering this game," began Steib. "While Fremd hadn't scored many more (14), they had not conceded one goal in league play. So this was going to take a big effort from all of the guys tonight if we were hoping for victory.
"It's a terrific win for such a young team. We showed a lot of heart and grit for 80 minutes against a very good opponent."
The Broncos will be on the road Thursday at Elk Grove, which took MSL East leading Buffalo Grove into overtime before falling 1-0 last time out.
Starting lineups
Fremd (3-1-4-2)
G- Artur Cholewa
D- Colin Campbell
D- Jake Schoffstall
D- Kaelan Conway
DM- Vince Diadone
M- Jake Szensiak
M- Anthony Tambellini
M- Connor Sapiente
M- Josh Bennett
F- Dorian Lesiuk
F- Joe Beaupre
Barrington (4-3-3)
G- Cal Uhryniak
D- C.J. Steib
D- Jo Cidulka
D- Noah Sebens
D- Bryan Guarnero
M- Michael Horak
M- Aidan Lew
M- Niko Argyros
F- Junior Hernandez
F- Michael Blanke
F- Omkar Prabhavalkar
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Niko Argyros, so., M, Barrington
Michael Horak, so., DM, Barrington
Referee
John Anderson
Scoring summary
First half
Barrington: Hernandez (Steib) 19'
Second half
None