Late Mayer goal lifts
Fremd, stuns Rolling Meadows
Vikings control MSL West, Mustangs need help to win East
By Mike Garofola
ROLLING MEADOWS -- Fremd is three points away from the Mid-Suburban League West Division title after a wonder goal in the 79th minute from Will Mayer sent shock waves throughout Robert Hoese Field on Tuesday night.
The game’s lone score decided a high-energy, tension-filled 80 minutes of soccer that had enormous ramifications for both clubs. The home side hoped to come away with at least a point, which would have gone a long way toward a berth in its first MSL Soccer Bowl since 1999.
"There was so much at stake tonight," said emotionally drained Mustangs manager Brett Olson, who watched his club go from preparations for extra time to disbelief in a matter of moments.
"I felt like we played well enough to win this game. Steve (Keller, Fremd manager) said that too. But in this sport, sometimes it just does not work out that way.
"In the end, it is very disappointing not to come away with any points. We'll look to get some help from others, see what happens.”
Keller was not crazy about his team’s overall performance.
"We played decently in the first half,” Keller said. “(Rolling Meadows) did what we normally do: play with intensity, pressure and with a lot of energy and pace. They were better at it in the second half and were the better team."
The three precious points the Vikings grabbed drew them closer to their second Soccer Bowl in the past three seasons. They dominated Wheeling 7-1 in the final in 2019.
Tuesday's action across the league will keep fans tuned into the results Thursday. Fremd (15-1-1, 9-0-0), which is four points clear of Barrington, takes on Hersey. A Vikings win sews up the division.
In the East Division, Hersey leads with 21 points, but both Prospect and Rolling Meadows sit in waiting with 20 points apiece.
The challengers can reach only 23 points should they both earn a win Thursday in their final league contests. The Huskies have a game in hand at 11 a.m. Saturday in Buffalo Grove.
The first tie-breaker is the head-to-head result; the second is the overall record in divisional play.
Rolling Meadows tied Prospect 1-1 and lost 2-1 to Hersey. If the Mustangs win Thursday, they will have a 3-1-1 divisional record. Prospect ended at 3-0-2 in the East.
"There are a lot of different scenarios out there, but in the end, we'll need some help even if we win at Wheeling," said Olson.
Fremd came to Rolling Meadows as the newly anointed no. 1 team in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. The Vikings looked to add to their 10-game win streak at the expense of the Mustangs.
Fremd’s players knocked the ball around between themselves for the opening quarter hour, playing with confidence and purpose as they went in search of the opener.
Ryan Sapiente whipped a lovely ball into the box that forced a catch in a crowd from keeper Ramon Orozco in the 4th minute. Then Braden Roos nearly found Caden Statz at the past with a serve.
The Vikings, one of the top teams around at box-to-box pressure, squeezed the home side and forced a handful of turnovers. This grounded the Mustangs attack and forced its midfielders to track back and defend.
Eli Schoffstall chested down a ball sent to him. On the turn he fired from 16 yards, but Orozco made a confident save in the 18th minute.
"We had our moments in the first half and created a few chances, but we were not as sharp as we've been of late," said Keller. “We were not able to really put anything dangerous on frame.”
Rolling Meadows senior Gage Lockley brought a little life to the Mustangs attack, but his attempt went wide from 25 yards.
Fremd’s Joey Rodino and Beck Smolak initiated a chance from out of the back that led to Schoffstall’s test of Orozco in the 25th minute. The man between the sticks, who his manager said has played at an all-state level all season, validated that claim two minutes later.
Schoffstall ran onto a ball from the end line and drove a wicked one-timer that Orozco somehow kept his eyes on as it burst through a sea of shirts. He saved what appeared to be the first goal of the game.
"(Ramon) has been just amazing for us all year, but then again, so has our backline," said a proud Olson, who ticked off the names of Aidan O'Brien, Ethan Kossack, Luke Bieda and Alex Puciaty, who has been a key figure in the Mustangs defensive unit after he was introduced into the starting 11 following an injury.
Fremd peppered its hosts in the final minutes of the first half with a trio of corners, a pair of free kicks, and shots on frame from Demitri Vhalos and Sapiente. Despite the effort, the game remained scoreless at halftime.
"We just were not at our best in the first half, and it didn't get better in the second half," admitted Vlahos.
Keller opened the new stanza in a 4-3-3 formation. He moved Schoffstall into the 10 position with the hope of jumpstarting the Vikings attack. But it was clear from the whistle, that the home side was ready and willing to match the intensity, pace and pressure the MSL West Division leaders are known for.
"We watched a lot of film, but they played a little different of a style tonight," said Joe Salemi, who was a box-to-box warrior for Rolling Meadows, defending, distributing, tackling and intercepting everything that came his way in the middle of the park.
"We made a few adjustments at the half, and I thought we adapted really well to the way (Fremd) played, and proved we could play with the no. 1 team in Chicagoland."
Steadily, the Mustangs clawed their way back into the game and attacked with gusto on the outside, where Andrew Flores suddenly became a dangerous option.
If not betrayed by his final touch, the senior could gotten in on Vikings keeper Robby Remian in the 53rd minute.
Puciaty blocked a strong effort from Fremd’s Rodino on his way in from 18 yards in the 56th minute. Then Rolling Meadows’ Ben Gligor angled a blast from the right side that forced Remian into action.
Brimming with confidence, the Mustangs now enjoyed most of the play.
After Fremd’s Leo Akashi missed a chance at the back post for the visitors, a long free kick from the midline from Kossack was directed on frame by Salemi. Remian did well to stay with the ball and make the save.
Mayer went over the bar with his effort in the 72nd minutes, but he and his mates were forced to show their mettle in the final few minutes with the Mustangs breathing down their necks.
"We created some very good chances (maybe) we could have put one in, but finishing has been our Achilles’ heel all season long. Tonight it got us again," bemoaned Olson.
Cristian Cazares and Flores each had a chance in close as both players stayed active and around the ball in the Fremd end.
When it appeared this contest would end goalless after 80 minutes, it took all of a few seconds for Mayer to earn hero status, albeit not without some controversy.
Olson thought one of his men had been fouled in front of his bench. His club concurred and began to set-up for a free kick when the center official ruled for a throw-in going the other way.
Olson, and his staff howled in disbelief as the Vikings quickly picked up the ball and threw it down the near touchline to Vlahos.
The senior burst free up the left side to the end line where he delivered an extraordinary ball to the back post to Mayer, whose unstoppable one-timer exploded high into the net.
The 79th minute goal saw the Fremd bench explode in delight. On the other end, Olson went into orbit.
"To be that close to overtime and have that call turn around on us so quickly, and without the referee giving us a chance to get in position just wasn't right," said Olson. “It was a very poor decision that led up to their goal.”
Fremd finished the play with ruthless efficiency.
"I knew if I could get the end line (Mayer) would be on the back post,” said Vlahos. “When I got there, I tried to give him the best ball that I could."
"Just an unbelievable ball from Dimitri," Mayer said with a smile.
When the final whistle blew, the Vikings bench rushed out to meet Mayer, while the Mustangs collectively collapsed to the turf.
"It was ugly at times out there for us,” said Keller. “Part of that was on us, but credit (Rolling Meadows) for a lot of that, especially in the second half.
"I don't know why we came out the way we did, but I know there was a lesson for us to learn from this game. We will learn from it."
Rolling Meadows was left to pick up the pieces and hold onto its dream.
"We'll need a few things to happen for us in order to get into the Soccer Bowl, but if we play like we did tonight against the top team in the state, we could end up playing them again in sectionals," said Salemi.
Olson will have his men ready for their season finale at Wheeling. A win and three three points will put pressure on division rivals Hersey and Prospect.
"I cannot tell you how proud I am of these guys right now, who are disappointed in the result, but have shown they can play with the best,” Olson said. “I want them to remember and focus on that going forward, because we have a lot of soccer still ahead of us."
Starting lineups
Fremd (4-4-2)
G: Robby Remian
D: Bradon Roos
D: Beck Smolak
D: Joey Rodino
D: Caden Statz
M: Ryan Sapiente
M: Demitri Vlahos
M: Brandon Wozniak
M: Will Mayer
F: Christian Tirado
F: Eli Schoffstall
Rolling Meadows (4-5-1)
G: Ramon Orozco
D: Luke Bieda
D: Ethan Kossack
D: Aidan O'Brien
D: Alex Puciaty
M: Andrew Flores
M: Gage Lockley
M: Joe Salemi
M: Cristian Cazares
M: Wilson Espino
F: Brayan Botello
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Aidan O'Brien, sr., D, Rolling Meadows; Ramon Orozco sr., GK, Rolling Meadows
Referee: Brian Norwood
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Fremd: Mayer (Vlahos) 79'
Fremd, stuns Rolling Meadows
Vikings control MSL West, Mustangs need help to win East
By Mike Garofola
ROLLING MEADOWS -- Fremd is three points away from the Mid-Suburban League West Division title after a wonder goal in the 79th minute from Will Mayer sent shock waves throughout Robert Hoese Field on Tuesday night.
The game’s lone score decided a high-energy, tension-filled 80 minutes of soccer that had enormous ramifications for both clubs. The home side hoped to come away with at least a point, which would have gone a long way toward a berth in its first MSL Soccer Bowl since 1999.
"There was so much at stake tonight," said emotionally drained Mustangs manager Brett Olson, who watched his club go from preparations for extra time to disbelief in a matter of moments.
"I felt like we played well enough to win this game. Steve (Keller, Fremd manager) said that too. But in this sport, sometimes it just does not work out that way.
"In the end, it is very disappointing not to come away with any points. We'll look to get some help from others, see what happens.”
Keller was not crazy about his team’s overall performance.
"We played decently in the first half,” Keller said. “(Rolling Meadows) did what we normally do: play with intensity, pressure and with a lot of energy and pace. They were better at it in the second half and were the better team."
The three precious points the Vikings grabbed drew them closer to their second Soccer Bowl in the past three seasons. They dominated Wheeling 7-1 in the final in 2019.
Tuesday's action across the league will keep fans tuned into the results Thursday. Fremd (15-1-1, 9-0-0), which is four points clear of Barrington, takes on Hersey. A Vikings win sews up the division.
In the East Division, Hersey leads with 21 points, but both Prospect and Rolling Meadows sit in waiting with 20 points apiece.
The challengers can reach only 23 points should they both earn a win Thursday in their final league contests. The Huskies have a game in hand at 11 a.m. Saturday in Buffalo Grove.
The first tie-breaker is the head-to-head result; the second is the overall record in divisional play.
Rolling Meadows tied Prospect 1-1 and lost 2-1 to Hersey. If the Mustangs win Thursday, they will have a 3-1-1 divisional record. Prospect ended at 3-0-2 in the East.
"There are a lot of different scenarios out there, but in the end, we'll need some help even if we win at Wheeling," said Olson.
Fremd came to Rolling Meadows as the newly anointed no. 1 team in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. The Vikings looked to add to their 10-game win streak at the expense of the Mustangs.
Fremd’s players knocked the ball around between themselves for the opening quarter hour, playing with confidence and purpose as they went in search of the opener.
Ryan Sapiente whipped a lovely ball into the box that forced a catch in a crowd from keeper Ramon Orozco in the 4th minute. Then Braden Roos nearly found Caden Statz at the past with a serve.
The Vikings, one of the top teams around at box-to-box pressure, squeezed the home side and forced a handful of turnovers. This grounded the Mustangs attack and forced its midfielders to track back and defend.
Eli Schoffstall chested down a ball sent to him. On the turn he fired from 16 yards, but Orozco made a confident save in the 18th minute.
"We had our moments in the first half and created a few chances, but we were not as sharp as we've been of late," said Keller. “We were not able to really put anything dangerous on frame.”
Rolling Meadows senior Gage Lockley brought a little life to the Mustangs attack, but his attempt went wide from 25 yards.
Fremd’s Joey Rodino and Beck Smolak initiated a chance from out of the back that led to Schoffstall’s test of Orozco in the 25th minute. The man between the sticks, who his manager said has played at an all-state level all season, validated that claim two minutes later.
Schoffstall ran onto a ball from the end line and drove a wicked one-timer that Orozco somehow kept his eyes on as it burst through a sea of shirts. He saved what appeared to be the first goal of the game.
"(Ramon) has been just amazing for us all year, but then again, so has our backline," said a proud Olson, who ticked off the names of Aidan O'Brien, Ethan Kossack, Luke Bieda and Alex Puciaty, who has been a key figure in the Mustangs defensive unit after he was introduced into the starting 11 following an injury.
Fremd peppered its hosts in the final minutes of the first half with a trio of corners, a pair of free kicks, and shots on frame from Demitri Vhalos and Sapiente. Despite the effort, the game remained scoreless at halftime.
"We just were not at our best in the first half, and it didn't get better in the second half," admitted Vlahos.
Keller opened the new stanza in a 4-3-3 formation. He moved Schoffstall into the 10 position with the hope of jumpstarting the Vikings attack. But it was clear from the whistle, that the home side was ready and willing to match the intensity, pace and pressure the MSL West Division leaders are known for.
"We watched a lot of film, but they played a little different of a style tonight," said Joe Salemi, who was a box-to-box warrior for Rolling Meadows, defending, distributing, tackling and intercepting everything that came his way in the middle of the park.
"We made a few adjustments at the half, and I thought we adapted really well to the way (Fremd) played, and proved we could play with the no. 1 team in Chicagoland."
Steadily, the Mustangs clawed their way back into the game and attacked with gusto on the outside, where Andrew Flores suddenly became a dangerous option.
If not betrayed by his final touch, the senior could gotten in on Vikings keeper Robby Remian in the 53rd minute.
Puciaty blocked a strong effort from Fremd’s Rodino on his way in from 18 yards in the 56th minute. Then Rolling Meadows’ Ben Gligor angled a blast from the right side that forced Remian into action.
Brimming with confidence, the Mustangs now enjoyed most of the play.
After Fremd’s Leo Akashi missed a chance at the back post for the visitors, a long free kick from the midline from Kossack was directed on frame by Salemi. Remian did well to stay with the ball and make the save.
Mayer went over the bar with his effort in the 72nd minutes, but he and his mates were forced to show their mettle in the final few minutes with the Mustangs breathing down their necks.
"We created some very good chances (maybe) we could have put one in, but finishing has been our Achilles’ heel all season long. Tonight it got us again," bemoaned Olson.
Cristian Cazares and Flores each had a chance in close as both players stayed active and around the ball in the Fremd end.
When it appeared this contest would end goalless after 80 minutes, it took all of a few seconds for Mayer to earn hero status, albeit not without some controversy.
Olson thought one of his men had been fouled in front of his bench. His club concurred and began to set-up for a free kick when the center official ruled for a throw-in going the other way.
Olson, and his staff howled in disbelief as the Vikings quickly picked up the ball and threw it down the near touchline to Vlahos.
The senior burst free up the left side to the end line where he delivered an extraordinary ball to the back post to Mayer, whose unstoppable one-timer exploded high into the net.
The 79th minute goal saw the Fremd bench explode in delight. On the other end, Olson went into orbit.
"To be that close to overtime and have that call turn around on us so quickly, and without the referee giving us a chance to get in position just wasn't right," said Olson. “It was a very poor decision that led up to their goal.”
Fremd finished the play with ruthless efficiency.
"I knew if I could get the end line (Mayer) would be on the back post,” said Vlahos. “When I got there, I tried to give him the best ball that I could."
"Just an unbelievable ball from Dimitri," Mayer said with a smile.
When the final whistle blew, the Vikings bench rushed out to meet Mayer, while the Mustangs collectively collapsed to the turf.
"It was ugly at times out there for us,” said Keller. “Part of that was on us, but credit (Rolling Meadows) for a lot of that, especially in the second half.
"I don't know why we came out the way we did, but I know there was a lesson for us to learn from this game. We will learn from it."
Rolling Meadows was left to pick up the pieces and hold onto its dream.
"We'll need a few things to happen for us in order to get into the Soccer Bowl, but if we play like we did tonight against the top team in the state, we could end up playing them again in sectionals," said Salemi.
Olson will have his men ready for their season finale at Wheeling. A win and three three points will put pressure on division rivals Hersey and Prospect.
"I cannot tell you how proud I am of these guys right now, who are disappointed in the result, but have shown they can play with the best,” Olson said. “I want them to remember and focus on that going forward, because we have a lot of soccer still ahead of us."
Starting lineups
Fremd (4-4-2)
G: Robby Remian
D: Bradon Roos
D: Beck Smolak
D: Joey Rodino
D: Caden Statz
M: Ryan Sapiente
M: Demitri Vlahos
M: Brandon Wozniak
M: Will Mayer
F: Christian Tirado
F: Eli Schoffstall
Rolling Meadows (4-5-1)
G: Ramon Orozco
D: Luke Bieda
D: Ethan Kossack
D: Aidan O'Brien
D: Alex Puciaty
M: Andrew Flores
M: Gage Lockley
M: Joe Salemi
M: Cristian Cazares
M: Wilson Espino
F: Brayan Botello
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Aidan O'Brien, sr., D, Rolling Meadows; Ramon Orozco sr., GK, Rolling Meadows
Referee: Brian Norwood
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Fremd: Mayer (Vlahos) 79'