Fremd falls in regional final
Host Stevenson takes 1st crown since 2014 with 2-0 win
By Mike Garofola
LINCOLNSHIRE -- All high school sports are more than the sum of their parts. In the case of soccer the goals and assists, final score line, records and postseason honors only tell part of the story.
What interscholastic competition is really about is how the players grow through their training and effort, desire and competitiveness, and how the experience instills and reinforces life skills that will help and guide them throughout their lives.
Marta Cholewa is a perfect example of a prep player who does it the right way and benefits from the experience.
Cholewa and her Fremd teammates dropped a 2-0 regional final on Saturday in Lincolnshire to host Stevenson. The result ended a wonderful career for Cholewa.
While there were drops of tears following the final whistle, it was the words from Cholewa, and her teammate Lauren Burk which made for the biggest impression on the final day of the 2018 spring soccer campaign for Steve Keller's squad.
All from Fremd were quick to agree that no. 2-seeded Stevenson (11-6-3) was the better team on this dreary Saturday morning. The home side scored two remarkable goals, especially when considering the physical play throughout the game, to secure its first regional crown since 2014.
Last spring, Cholewa was one of three Vikings stars who suffered season-ending injuries that doomed the hopes of a gifted team that seemed headed for postseason greatness.
The two-year standout required surgery to her damaged ACL. With a heavy brace over her knee, the Vikings captain still was the rugged centerpiece as Keller's central defender alongside Burk on a roster which tilted heavily with underclass players, many of whom were with the big club for the first time.
"When I looked out on the field during the game, (if) I took out Marta and Kayla (Tanner) it would have been all freshmen and sophomores we were playing," said Keller, who almost seemed surprised by just how young the Vikings were this season.
Keller was amazed at what Cholewa gave to his club on the pitch during games and training, and away from the field.
"Marta would never say, but it was obvious that injury and subsequent surgery left her less than 100% this season," he said. "(To) me, it was closer to 75-80 percent.
"But she is not one to complain or use anything as an excuse.
"It's one of those things that makes her the type of player, teammate and captain that she is. She leads by example and a work ethic that is second to none."
The senior and her backline mates could do nothing when Stevenson sophomore Grace Wingfield, Chicagoland Soccer's MVP of the Match roared down the endline to meet a Hannah Lapiere corner with a thundering one-timer that exploded into the net. The fifth-minute goal gave the home side the only tally it needed.
"We didn't defend that corner like we should have, and they made us pay for it," said Keller. "So we had to chase the game right from the start."
As he did in the regional semifinal win against Buffalo Grove four days earlier, the Vikings manager took Burk away from the backline and pushed her up-front to join fellow forwards Ashley Scesniak and Tanner in a 3-4-3 formation that Fremd used for most of the match. Keller brought on fresh legs or moved others up-top in order to breathe some life into his attack.
The tactical switch never solved the Patriots, who came ready to match the physical play and strategic switches.
"Steve is a great manager, and we studied things he does and has done with his personnel over time," said Stevenson manager PepeJon Chavez, whose club will play league rival Libertyville in its sectional semifinal Tuesday. "(So) we trained for it and made one move after another when he changed things up in order to have our girls prepared, instead of reacting on the fly.
"It (being prepared) is something we have stressed from the very first training session together, and the girls have embraced that idea and how important it is to be that way, especially with so many freshmen and sophomore players on this roster."
This contest never went full throttle in terms of the run of play as each side struggled to find its touch in a heated contest where each ball was challenged with ferocity, whether in the air or on the floor.
This made for some chippy, rough moments all over the park and a few 'look away' tackles that ended with players slow to get up. That was particularly the case about 10 minutes before intermission, when the Vikings (7-11-2) looked to equalize, and the home side tried to double its advantage. Neither happened, and Stevenson walked to its halftime meeting up 1-0.
After the break, a crafty and mazy run through a trio of Patriots by Fremd's Mackenzie Stein looked promising as the freshman pried open the Stevenson defense and looked to play to Tanner. However Stevenson senior Lauren Micek, whom her coach would praise afterwards for her sturdy defensive play throughout, stepped in to make a sharp tackle to end the Vikings threat.
After that, Jennifer Norris, who saved the day in the Vikings shootout win over Buffalo Grove, came through in brilliant style once again -- turning away a point-blank effort by Wingfield who was put through with a lovely ball over the top in the 49th minute.
After that, Fremd, in its attempts to counter and/or play direct to its three forwards, could only muster a few deep throws and free kicks from Elizabeth Prigge.
Stevenson was perhaps at its best on the day when it produced a solid run of play 8-10 minutes before adding to the lead.
That came when Ana Koruna stunned the big crowd and the Fremd faithful with an incredible strike out of nowhere. It found its way into the net with force and pace in the 61st minute.
"That was the dagger we were looking to put into Fremd," admitted Chavez, who knew his 1-0 advantage was a dangerous one to hold onto.
The Vikings, who had been shutout eight times this season, faced the massive task off pulling one back as quickly as possible in order to then go after the equalizer before time.
Tanner, Stein and Burk all had their chances to solve Stevenson, but most times the trio were split into solo acts, making it easier for the Patriots backline to defend.
The best opportunity came when Stein was brought down 20 yards from Patriots keeper Zoe Friedman. Cholewa's free kick was well struck but straightaway at Friedman, who made the save in the 74th minute.
Time ran run out on the Vikings, who after shaking hands retreated to their bench to gather their things and give Cholewa one last hug.
"Your soccer DNA is to always come out an play as hard as you can, and for as long as you can - never thinking this could be the last game you'll ever play for your high school," began a composed Cholewa.
"I really love this game and playing for my high school, teammates and Keller.
"Coming to training when we didn't have games was fun. And I enjoyed every minute of being around my teammates and friends (then) playing a game was amazing as well.
"I will miss all of it."
Burk, who did her best to hold back the tears when talking of the Vikings captain, said this of Cholewa.
"One of the things I remember most about Marta is how after her injury last year, her leadership on the bench and during training was amazing," began the sophomore.
"Here was a player who was having a great year -- then to have it end so quickly -- yet it was still like she was still playing with her positive approach and encouragement.
"Marta was a real leader and is such a special person and one that I had a lot of respect for with the way she played the game."
Keller, who earned his 250th-career victory earlier this season as the Vikings girls manager, will return for his 19th coaching stint next school year.
"Obviously our youth would show at times, as it should as they continue to develop and learn on the fly," he said. "But it bodes well for the future, with the hope they all work during the offseason and come back ready to make their next step forward for themselves and our program."
Startint lineups
Fremd (4-4-2)
GK: Jennifer Norris
D- Allie Prigge
D- Marta Cholewa
D- Lauren Burk
D- Elizabeth Prigge
M- Palak Khera
M- Mackenzie Stein
M- Madeline McCarthy
M- Emma Katovich
F- Ashley Scesniak
F- Kayla Tanner
Stevenson (4-5-1)
GK- Zoe Friedman
D- Emma Murphy
D- Lauren Micek
D- Gabi Nyc
D- Katie Sakshaug
M- Brianna VanZanten
M- Hannah Lapiere
M- Gracie Wingfield
M- Jessica Baigorria
M- Krissy Hill
F- Ana Koruna
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Gracie Wingfield, so., MF/F, Stevenson
Referee: Tom Frye
Scoring summary
First half
Stevenson: Wingfield (Lapiere) 5'
Second half
Stevenson: Koruna (U/A) 61'
Host Stevenson takes 1st crown since 2014 with 2-0 win
By Mike Garofola
LINCOLNSHIRE -- All high school sports are more than the sum of their parts. In the case of soccer the goals and assists, final score line, records and postseason honors only tell part of the story.
What interscholastic competition is really about is how the players grow through their training and effort, desire and competitiveness, and how the experience instills and reinforces life skills that will help and guide them throughout their lives.
Marta Cholewa is a perfect example of a prep player who does it the right way and benefits from the experience.
Cholewa and her Fremd teammates dropped a 2-0 regional final on Saturday in Lincolnshire to host Stevenson. The result ended a wonderful career for Cholewa.
While there were drops of tears following the final whistle, it was the words from Cholewa, and her teammate Lauren Burk which made for the biggest impression on the final day of the 2018 spring soccer campaign for Steve Keller's squad.
All from Fremd were quick to agree that no. 2-seeded Stevenson (11-6-3) was the better team on this dreary Saturday morning. The home side scored two remarkable goals, especially when considering the physical play throughout the game, to secure its first regional crown since 2014.
Last spring, Cholewa was one of three Vikings stars who suffered season-ending injuries that doomed the hopes of a gifted team that seemed headed for postseason greatness.
The two-year standout required surgery to her damaged ACL. With a heavy brace over her knee, the Vikings captain still was the rugged centerpiece as Keller's central defender alongside Burk on a roster which tilted heavily with underclass players, many of whom were with the big club for the first time.
"When I looked out on the field during the game, (if) I took out Marta and Kayla (Tanner) it would have been all freshmen and sophomores we were playing," said Keller, who almost seemed surprised by just how young the Vikings were this season.
Keller was amazed at what Cholewa gave to his club on the pitch during games and training, and away from the field.
"Marta would never say, but it was obvious that injury and subsequent surgery left her less than 100% this season," he said. "(To) me, it was closer to 75-80 percent.
"But she is not one to complain or use anything as an excuse.
"It's one of those things that makes her the type of player, teammate and captain that she is. She leads by example and a work ethic that is second to none."
The senior and her backline mates could do nothing when Stevenson sophomore Grace Wingfield, Chicagoland Soccer's MVP of the Match roared down the endline to meet a Hannah Lapiere corner with a thundering one-timer that exploded into the net. The fifth-minute goal gave the home side the only tally it needed.
"We didn't defend that corner like we should have, and they made us pay for it," said Keller. "So we had to chase the game right from the start."
As he did in the regional semifinal win against Buffalo Grove four days earlier, the Vikings manager took Burk away from the backline and pushed her up-front to join fellow forwards Ashley Scesniak and Tanner in a 3-4-3 formation that Fremd used for most of the match. Keller brought on fresh legs or moved others up-top in order to breathe some life into his attack.
The tactical switch never solved the Patriots, who came ready to match the physical play and strategic switches.
"Steve is a great manager, and we studied things he does and has done with his personnel over time," said Stevenson manager PepeJon Chavez, whose club will play league rival Libertyville in its sectional semifinal Tuesday. "(So) we trained for it and made one move after another when he changed things up in order to have our girls prepared, instead of reacting on the fly.
"It (being prepared) is something we have stressed from the very first training session together, and the girls have embraced that idea and how important it is to be that way, especially with so many freshmen and sophomore players on this roster."
This contest never went full throttle in terms of the run of play as each side struggled to find its touch in a heated contest where each ball was challenged with ferocity, whether in the air or on the floor.
This made for some chippy, rough moments all over the park and a few 'look away' tackles that ended with players slow to get up. That was particularly the case about 10 minutes before intermission, when the Vikings (7-11-2) looked to equalize, and the home side tried to double its advantage. Neither happened, and Stevenson walked to its halftime meeting up 1-0.
After the break, a crafty and mazy run through a trio of Patriots by Fremd's Mackenzie Stein looked promising as the freshman pried open the Stevenson defense and looked to play to Tanner. However Stevenson senior Lauren Micek, whom her coach would praise afterwards for her sturdy defensive play throughout, stepped in to make a sharp tackle to end the Vikings threat.
After that, Jennifer Norris, who saved the day in the Vikings shootout win over Buffalo Grove, came through in brilliant style once again -- turning away a point-blank effort by Wingfield who was put through with a lovely ball over the top in the 49th minute.
After that, Fremd, in its attempts to counter and/or play direct to its three forwards, could only muster a few deep throws and free kicks from Elizabeth Prigge.
Stevenson was perhaps at its best on the day when it produced a solid run of play 8-10 minutes before adding to the lead.
That came when Ana Koruna stunned the big crowd and the Fremd faithful with an incredible strike out of nowhere. It found its way into the net with force and pace in the 61st minute.
"That was the dagger we were looking to put into Fremd," admitted Chavez, who knew his 1-0 advantage was a dangerous one to hold onto.
The Vikings, who had been shutout eight times this season, faced the massive task off pulling one back as quickly as possible in order to then go after the equalizer before time.
Tanner, Stein and Burk all had their chances to solve Stevenson, but most times the trio were split into solo acts, making it easier for the Patriots backline to defend.
The best opportunity came when Stein was brought down 20 yards from Patriots keeper Zoe Friedman. Cholewa's free kick was well struck but straightaway at Friedman, who made the save in the 74th minute.
Time ran run out on the Vikings, who after shaking hands retreated to their bench to gather their things and give Cholewa one last hug.
"Your soccer DNA is to always come out an play as hard as you can, and for as long as you can - never thinking this could be the last game you'll ever play for your high school," began a composed Cholewa.
"I really love this game and playing for my high school, teammates and Keller.
"Coming to training when we didn't have games was fun. And I enjoyed every minute of being around my teammates and friends (then) playing a game was amazing as well.
"I will miss all of it."
Burk, who did her best to hold back the tears when talking of the Vikings captain, said this of Cholewa.
"One of the things I remember most about Marta is how after her injury last year, her leadership on the bench and during training was amazing," began the sophomore.
"Here was a player who was having a great year -- then to have it end so quickly -- yet it was still like she was still playing with her positive approach and encouragement.
"Marta was a real leader and is such a special person and one that I had a lot of respect for with the way she played the game."
Keller, who earned his 250th-career victory earlier this season as the Vikings girls manager, will return for his 19th coaching stint next school year.
"Obviously our youth would show at times, as it should as they continue to develop and learn on the fly," he said. "But it bodes well for the future, with the hope they all work during the offseason and come back ready to make their next step forward for themselves and our program."
Startint lineups
Fremd (4-4-2)
GK: Jennifer Norris
D- Allie Prigge
D- Marta Cholewa
D- Lauren Burk
D- Elizabeth Prigge
M- Palak Khera
M- Mackenzie Stein
M- Madeline McCarthy
M- Emma Katovich
F- Ashley Scesniak
F- Kayla Tanner
Stevenson (4-5-1)
GK- Zoe Friedman
D- Emma Murphy
D- Lauren Micek
D- Gabi Nyc
D- Katie Sakshaug
M- Brianna VanZanten
M- Hannah Lapiere
M- Gracie Wingfield
M- Jessica Baigorria
M- Krissy Hill
F- Ana Koruna
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Gracie Wingfield, so., MF/F, Stevenson
Referee: Tom Frye
Scoring summary
First half
Stevenson: Wingfield (Lapiere) 5'
Second half
Stevenson: Koruna (U/A) 61'