Fremd stuns Oak Park
and River Forest in 78th minute
Schoffstall scores from deep for 1-0 supersectional win
By Mike Garofola
BARRINGTON -- Some finals have everything; this game between Oak Park and River Forest and Fremd was one of them.
A master-class in defending from both sides and plenty of tense end-to-end action was decided on a magnificent late strike that gave Fremd the ticket to its 10th state finals appearance and first since 2014.
With his lethal, right-footed 22-yard cracker, Eli Schoffstall's dramatic winner two minutes from time led Fremd to a 1-0 Barrington Supersectional victory Tuesday night over Oak Park and River Forest (19-4-3) at Barrington Community Stadium.
The Vikings (19-2-1) will meet Morton (21-1-3) at 7 p.m. Friday at tourney host Hoffman Estates High School’s Garber Stadium.
"What an unbelievable night," beamed Schoffstall, long after he and his mates lifted the trophy before fans and friends stormed the center of the pitch to help their heroes celebrate this memorable night of soccer.
"We had a lot of the play in the first half, dominating at times, but (Oak Park and River Forest) came out and put us under a lot of pressure in the second half. We held them off long enough to get the only goal we needed to get to state," added Schoffstall, who shared Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honors with Alex Hauck, Oak Park and River Forest’s terrific senior center midfielder.
The sheer excitement of this 80-minute epic kept a big crowd on edge as the ebb-and-flow proved both clubs were deserving participants in this important final.
"(They) were even better than what we saw on film," said Vikings manager Steve Keller, who will claim the sixth state trophy of his career this weekend. “Great team speed, terrific athleticism and the ability to play with finesse and style made for a great game, and one that (they) could have easily won.”
"One late mistake, and it was the game," began Huskies manager Jason Fried, who played for Naperville North Hall of Fame manager David Bucher.
"It's a tough way to go out, especially after I felt we dominated most of the play in the second half and felt like we had a goal in us. But that's the way this sport goes at times."
Things got off to a lively beginning for Mid-Suburban Champion Fremd, which started the brighter of the two by creating a trio of corners that produced a pair of attempts that went wide, and two free kicks from Ryan Sapiente that Huskies keeper Clark Turk parried out of his box with strong punches.
"We haven't come out strong lately," said senior Josh Dennis, who along with Hauck and Eric Jackson proudly wore the captain’s armband for Fried. “In the first 15-20 minutes, Fremd put us under pressure, which forced us to defend and not really get much out of our attack.”
"All three of those guys have been so important to our program, because they set the example that you need to take ownership to improve," says Fried, who hoped to see his men earn the school’s first chance to play on the final weekend of the season since 1995.
"Each is open to constructive advice and willing to adapt, and one of the strongest aspects of this team was they could read games, listen to input from the staff and adapt to what the game was giving us.
"(This) all started with our captains, and this was a huge reason why we could have continued success."
Fremd’s numerical advantage with attempts on and off frame was impressive, as was the way the Vikings played through the center of the park to set up Leo Akashi, Demetri Vlahos and Sapiente. The trio proved to be crafty and clever in their approach to pry open the Huskies 3-5-2 formation.
"Their back three were very good on the ball and played with composure, but the speed and quickness of their wingers made it look like they were playing with five in the back at times,” said Keller. “I felt we had success attacking until midway through the second half when we had to do much more chasing than I would have liked."
Keller’s counterpart Fried hoped sophomore scoring sensation Easton Bogard (29 goals, 10 assists) would have the time to turn and burn past his challengers. But at the half hour, the IHSSCA all-state striker had only four touches, two of which came with his back to the goal.
"Fremd was so good with their pressure and ability to close down the seams,” said Fried. “We just were not able to solve that to set Bogard free and have our guys in the middle be able to connect with each other and our players up-top."
With Bogard and his midfield unable to get enough touches, Fried made the tactical move to drop Bogard to a more withdrawn position, almost as a false no. 9, to help crack open the Huskies attack.
"We needed to create a better numeric advantage in the middle of the field while also making the backline of Fremd have to make more decisions with their positioning," offered Fried.
"It definitely helped create more opportunities for us and to create more space for our outside mids (who) had a lot of success for the remainder of the game. But we needed to create more chances in the final third. To their credit, Fremd's backline prevented us from doing that."
After Vlahos forced Turk into action with his left-footed effort from in-close, Fremd lost a key figure in its backline when Caden Statz was helped off after a 50/50 challenge deep in the Oak Park and River Forest end.
The absence forced a defensive reshuffle. The team hopes Statz will be back Friday night.
"Losing Caden was a huge loss for us, but thankfully we have the depth on our team to overcome that injury, and move 'Sap' (Sapiente) to left back. We brought in Will Mayer to start out wide in the second half," said the Vikings superb central defender Beck Smolak.
"I really believe our backline played well all night, and we a good job of shutting down no. 14 (Bogard) and the rest of their attack. We all played together as a unit, constantly talking and communicating."
Bogard showed how dangerous he is when his 30-yard snap-shot on the turn went just wide in the 39th minute. Later Dennis put him on the tail end of a nicely played counter that required Smolak to step in to clear.
"We played a very good first half but did not get (one) out of it,” said Vlahos. “That allowed (Oak Park and River Forest) to stay in the game and come out in the second half playing with a lot of confidence and with more possession," said Vlahos.
Fremd’s Leo Akashi opened the second period with a bending right-footed free kick that went just wide from 22 yards. Sapiente and Akashi followed with a couple of half-chances.
Sapiente forced Turk to elevate above the crowd to pull down a free kick from just inside the midline. Then Mayer went freely through to the Huskies back post where he earned a deep throw by Akashi.
Oak Park and River Forest’s Dennis, Hauck and their backline mates helped the Huskies see their way through this early pressure from the Vikings.
It wouldn't be long before the run of play would be in favor of Fried’s men.
"We needed to clean up the speed of play along the back in the second half, which we did,” said Fried. “With the field being so wide, we knew if we could swing the ball quickly, then there would be space.
"We were able to swing the ball through our center backs and stretch Fremd's defense with width, which allowed us more through the middle as well."
The constant pace and purpose from Jadyn Hsieh-Bailey, Hauck and Dennis helped starve the Vikings attack for a 10-15-minute stretch. Bogard had an attempt blocked on the way in and another saved by Robby Remian, who then ended running over one of his defenders and an opponent in order to bravely punch away a well-placed serve by Hauck.
"The pressure they put us under for those 10-15 minutes made for some nervous moments for us," admitted Keller.
"We chased a lot during that time, so I thought our legs were getting heavy in the last 10 minutes. We looked a little gassed, which made me hope we didn't go to overtime," Keller said.
Bogard put another one on frame in the 62nd minute. Fremd responded when it conjured up a pair of corners and a quality chance from senior Sandro Javakhishvili.
Javakhishvili was at the heart of a Vikings counter that was inspired by Joey Rodino and ended with Akashi having his blast blocked on the way in.
Minutes later, Schoffstall scored the biggest goal of his sparkling four-year career after heavy pressure by Vlahos on a square ball played along the back.
"It was a situation I saw coming to me deep in their own end. I went hard into the ball and player to force (him) to give the ball away. Then I saw Eli to my right, alone. When the ball was on his foot, I just knew he could put it away from that distance," said Vlahos.
Schoffstall was left alone long enough to take a touch, before teeing up from just beyond the box. The right-footed unstoppable shot went past the right shoulder of Turk whose dream of state tournament glory faded in a matter of moments.
Fremd was glad it got the game-winner.
"It felt like we were headed to overtime, which we didn't want to go (to), because I thought we were all getting heavy legs,” said Schoffstall. “When the chance came for me, I just knew it was going in after I hit it.
"(They) were a great team and showed they belonged in this game with us, but we've played with confidence all season long. Tonight, that was something that helped us hold it together and come out of here with the result we came here for."
"We had a lot of heroes tonight,” said Keller. “Obviously Eli and Demetri, along with our backline of Adrian Blonski, Braden Roos, Beck Smolak, Statz, then Sapiente, as well as Leo, Mayer and Sandro, who all played at a high level in a game that they all wanted so badly."
The disappointment of this 1-0 defeat showed in the faces of Dennis and his manager Fried. But despite the result, they remained upbeat long after the final whistle of this well-officiated contest.
"It stinks to lose in the last two minutes after playing so well in the second half," said Dennis, who hopes to play on the collegiate level next fall.
"We still had a great year. We beat some very good teams to get here, and I really feel this is a team that is easily a top five team in this half of the state.”
"Top 5? Yes indeed," said Fried.
"We did everything we could for 78 minutes, then that one great goal by no. 10 (Schoffstall) ended our season.
"But I told the guys afterwards this loss does not define a season. The experience all of these guys had, the chance to be a part of this is something that they will have forever. And in the end, that is what it's all about."
Starting lineups
Oak Park and River Forest (3-5-2)
G: Clark Turk
D: Tukura Hess
D: David Schalich-Ayllon
D: Ben Nisbet
M: Caleb Robinson
M: Alex Hauck
M: Jadyn Hsieh-Bailey
M: Josh Dennis
M: Isaac Cummings
F: Ethan Bogard
F: Colin Hayes
Fremd (4-3-3)
G: Robby Remian
D: Braden Roos
D: Adrian Blonski
D: Beck Smolak
D: Caden Statz
M: Brandon Woziak
M: Eli Schoffstall
M: Sandro Javakhishvili
F: Ryan Sapiente
F: Demetri Vlahos
F: Leo Akashi
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Eli Schoffstall, sr., MF/F, Fremd; Alex Hauck, sr., MF, Oak Park and River Forest
Officials: John Anderson (center); Rick Geati, AR; Hanah Shehaiber, AR
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Fremd: Schoffstall (Vlahos) 78'
Statistics
Oak Park and River Forest
On Frame:4
Off Frame: 4
Fouls: 9
Corners: 1
Offsides: 0
Yellow Cards: 1
Red Cards: 0
Fremd
On Frame: 5
Off Frame: 9
Fouls: 15
Corners: 7
Offsides: 0
Yellow Cards: 2
Red Cards: 0
and River Forest in 78th minute
Schoffstall scores from deep for 1-0 supersectional win
By Mike Garofola
BARRINGTON -- Some finals have everything; this game between Oak Park and River Forest and Fremd was one of them.
A master-class in defending from both sides and plenty of tense end-to-end action was decided on a magnificent late strike that gave Fremd the ticket to its 10th state finals appearance and first since 2014.
With his lethal, right-footed 22-yard cracker, Eli Schoffstall's dramatic winner two minutes from time led Fremd to a 1-0 Barrington Supersectional victory Tuesday night over Oak Park and River Forest (19-4-3) at Barrington Community Stadium.
The Vikings (19-2-1) will meet Morton (21-1-3) at 7 p.m. Friday at tourney host Hoffman Estates High School’s Garber Stadium.
"What an unbelievable night," beamed Schoffstall, long after he and his mates lifted the trophy before fans and friends stormed the center of the pitch to help their heroes celebrate this memorable night of soccer.
"We had a lot of the play in the first half, dominating at times, but (Oak Park and River Forest) came out and put us under a lot of pressure in the second half. We held them off long enough to get the only goal we needed to get to state," added Schoffstall, who shared Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honors with Alex Hauck, Oak Park and River Forest’s terrific senior center midfielder.
The sheer excitement of this 80-minute epic kept a big crowd on edge as the ebb-and-flow proved both clubs were deserving participants in this important final.
"(They) were even better than what we saw on film," said Vikings manager Steve Keller, who will claim the sixth state trophy of his career this weekend. “Great team speed, terrific athleticism and the ability to play with finesse and style made for a great game, and one that (they) could have easily won.”
"One late mistake, and it was the game," began Huskies manager Jason Fried, who played for Naperville North Hall of Fame manager David Bucher.
"It's a tough way to go out, especially after I felt we dominated most of the play in the second half and felt like we had a goal in us. But that's the way this sport goes at times."
Things got off to a lively beginning for Mid-Suburban Champion Fremd, which started the brighter of the two by creating a trio of corners that produced a pair of attempts that went wide, and two free kicks from Ryan Sapiente that Huskies keeper Clark Turk parried out of his box with strong punches.
"We haven't come out strong lately," said senior Josh Dennis, who along with Hauck and Eric Jackson proudly wore the captain’s armband for Fried. “In the first 15-20 minutes, Fremd put us under pressure, which forced us to defend and not really get much out of our attack.”
"All three of those guys have been so important to our program, because they set the example that you need to take ownership to improve," says Fried, who hoped to see his men earn the school’s first chance to play on the final weekend of the season since 1995.
"Each is open to constructive advice and willing to adapt, and one of the strongest aspects of this team was they could read games, listen to input from the staff and adapt to what the game was giving us.
"(This) all started with our captains, and this was a huge reason why we could have continued success."
Fremd’s numerical advantage with attempts on and off frame was impressive, as was the way the Vikings played through the center of the park to set up Leo Akashi, Demetri Vlahos and Sapiente. The trio proved to be crafty and clever in their approach to pry open the Huskies 3-5-2 formation.
"Their back three were very good on the ball and played with composure, but the speed and quickness of their wingers made it look like they were playing with five in the back at times,” said Keller. “I felt we had success attacking until midway through the second half when we had to do much more chasing than I would have liked."
Keller’s counterpart Fried hoped sophomore scoring sensation Easton Bogard (29 goals, 10 assists) would have the time to turn and burn past his challengers. But at the half hour, the IHSSCA all-state striker had only four touches, two of which came with his back to the goal.
"Fremd was so good with their pressure and ability to close down the seams,” said Fried. “We just were not able to solve that to set Bogard free and have our guys in the middle be able to connect with each other and our players up-top."
With Bogard and his midfield unable to get enough touches, Fried made the tactical move to drop Bogard to a more withdrawn position, almost as a false no. 9, to help crack open the Huskies attack.
"We needed to create a better numeric advantage in the middle of the field while also making the backline of Fremd have to make more decisions with their positioning," offered Fried.
"It definitely helped create more opportunities for us and to create more space for our outside mids (who) had a lot of success for the remainder of the game. But we needed to create more chances in the final third. To their credit, Fremd's backline prevented us from doing that."
After Vlahos forced Turk into action with his left-footed effort from in-close, Fremd lost a key figure in its backline when Caden Statz was helped off after a 50/50 challenge deep in the Oak Park and River Forest end.
The absence forced a defensive reshuffle. The team hopes Statz will be back Friday night.
"Losing Caden was a huge loss for us, but thankfully we have the depth on our team to overcome that injury, and move 'Sap' (Sapiente) to left back. We brought in Will Mayer to start out wide in the second half," said the Vikings superb central defender Beck Smolak.
"I really believe our backline played well all night, and we a good job of shutting down no. 14 (Bogard) and the rest of their attack. We all played together as a unit, constantly talking and communicating."
Bogard showed how dangerous he is when his 30-yard snap-shot on the turn went just wide in the 39th minute. Later Dennis put him on the tail end of a nicely played counter that required Smolak to step in to clear.
"We played a very good first half but did not get (one) out of it,” said Vlahos. “That allowed (Oak Park and River Forest) to stay in the game and come out in the second half playing with a lot of confidence and with more possession," said Vlahos.
Fremd’s Leo Akashi opened the second period with a bending right-footed free kick that went just wide from 22 yards. Sapiente and Akashi followed with a couple of half-chances.
Sapiente forced Turk to elevate above the crowd to pull down a free kick from just inside the midline. Then Mayer went freely through to the Huskies back post where he earned a deep throw by Akashi.
Oak Park and River Forest’s Dennis, Hauck and their backline mates helped the Huskies see their way through this early pressure from the Vikings.
It wouldn't be long before the run of play would be in favor of Fried’s men.
"We needed to clean up the speed of play along the back in the second half, which we did,” said Fried. “With the field being so wide, we knew if we could swing the ball quickly, then there would be space.
"We were able to swing the ball through our center backs and stretch Fremd's defense with width, which allowed us more through the middle as well."
The constant pace and purpose from Jadyn Hsieh-Bailey, Hauck and Dennis helped starve the Vikings attack for a 10-15-minute stretch. Bogard had an attempt blocked on the way in and another saved by Robby Remian, who then ended running over one of his defenders and an opponent in order to bravely punch away a well-placed serve by Hauck.
"The pressure they put us under for those 10-15 minutes made for some nervous moments for us," admitted Keller.
"We chased a lot during that time, so I thought our legs were getting heavy in the last 10 minutes. We looked a little gassed, which made me hope we didn't go to overtime," Keller said.
Bogard put another one on frame in the 62nd minute. Fremd responded when it conjured up a pair of corners and a quality chance from senior Sandro Javakhishvili.
Javakhishvili was at the heart of a Vikings counter that was inspired by Joey Rodino and ended with Akashi having his blast blocked on the way in.
Minutes later, Schoffstall scored the biggest goal of his sparkling four-year career after heavy pressure by Vlahos on a square ball played along the back.
"It was a situation I saw coming to me deep in their own end. I went hard into the ball and player to force (him) to give the ball away. Then I saw Eli to my right, alone. When the ball was on his foot, I just knew he could put it away from that distance," said Vlahos.
Schoffstall was left alone long enough to take a touch, before teeing up from just beyond the box. The right-footed unstoppable shot went past the right shoulder of Turk whose dream of state tournament glory faded in a matter of moments.
Fremd was glad it got the game-winner.
"It felt like we were headed to overtime, which we didn't want to go (to), because I thought we were all getting heavy legs,” said Schoffstall. “When the chance came for me, I just knew it was going in after I hit it.
"(They) were a great team and showed they belonged in this game with us, but we've played with confidence all season long. Tonight, that was something that helped us hold it together and come out of here with the result we came here for."
"We had a lot of heroes tonight,” said Keller. “Obviously Eli and Demetri, along with our backline of Adrian Blonski, Braden Roos, Beck Smolak, Statz, then Sapiente, as well as Leo, Mayer and Sandro, who all played at a high level in a game that they all wanted so badly."
The disappointment of this 1-0 defeat showed in the faces of Dennis and his manager Fried. But despite the result, they remained upbeat long after the final whistle of this well-officiated contest.
"It stinks to lose in the last two minutes after playing so well in the second half," said Dennis, who hopes to play on the collegiate level next fall.
"We still had a great year. We beat some very good teams to get here, and I really feel this is a team that is easily a top five team in this half of the state.”
"Top 5? Yes indeed," said Fried.
"We did everything we could for 78 minutes, then that one great goal by no. 10 (Schoffstall) ended our season.
"But I told the guys afterwards this loss does not define a season. The experience all of these guys had, the chance to be a part of this is something that they will have forever. And in the end, that is what it's all about."
Starting lineups
Oak Park and River Forest (3-5-2)
G: Clark Turk
D: Tukura Hess
D: David Schalich-Ayllon
D: Ben Nisbet
M: Caleb Robinson
M: Alex Hauck
M: Jadyn Hsieh-Bailey
M: Josh Dennis
M: Isaac Cummings
F: Ethan Bogard
F: Colin Hayes
Fremd (4-3-3)
G: Robby Remian
D: Braden Roos
D: Adrian Blonski
D: Beck Smolak
D: Caden Statz
M: Brandon Woziak
M: Eli Schoffstall
M: Sandro Javakhishvili
F: Ryan Sapiente
F: Demetri Vlahos
F: Leo Akashi
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Eli Schoffstall, sr., MF/F, Fremd; Alex Hauck, sr., MF, Oak Park and River Forest
Officials: John Anderson (center); Rick Geati, AR; Hanah Shehaiber, AR
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Fremd: Schoffstall (Vlahos) 78'
Statistics
Oak Park and River Forest
On Frame:4
Off Frame: 4
Fouls: 9
Corners: 1
Offsides: 0
Yellow Cards: 1
Red Cards: 0
Fremd
On Frame: 5
Off Frame: 9
Fouls: 15
Corners: 7
Offsides: 0
Yellow Cards: 2
Red Cards: 0