Fremd falls in second OT to Stevenson
Vikings drive for return trip to Final Four falls short
By Mike Garofola
BUFFALO GROVE -- Stevenson boss PepeJon Chavez saluted his men after they survived a 100-minute thriller in the rain Tuesday night at Grant Blaney Stadium. Filip Janda struck late in extra time to down Mid-Suburban League champion Fremd in the sectional semifinal.
The 94th-minute game-winner gave the top-seeded Patriots a 2-1 victory and sent Chavez's club into the Friday night final against North Suburban Conference rival Waukegan. The 14th-seeded Bulldogs beat no. 7-seed Lake Zurich in penalty kicks for their third-consecutive playoff victory over a higher-seeded team.
Stevenson beat Waukegan 4-1 in a home win Sept. 30.
Fremd became the latest victim of the Patriots.
"To beat a Steve Keller team, who I have great respect for, is something all of our guys should be extremely proud of," said Chavez, who watched both sides brave the rain, wind and cold on a dreadful night, yet somehow deliver a highly entertaining and fiercely contested match. “There are few managers in this sport that have their team prepared and ready for their opponent better than Steve.”
"We knew, with Fremd, what to expect,” said Janda. “For us, it wasn't just that we wanted revenge for them ending our season last year in the same game. We just want to keep going in the tournament."
The game a year ago saw the Patriots take a 4-0 loss from the Vikings, who were on their way to a Class 3A second place finish and sparkling 21-3-1 record.
Janda and his mates enjoyed a very good 2021 campaign at 15-3-4 and finished second in the North Suburban Conference behind Warren.
The success this season for the fifth-ranked team in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 has been made possible by plenty of extra work during the offseason, a veteran roster and a remarkable record in one-goal games.
York, the 2021 champion went 5-1 in one-goal games. West Chicago, which won in 2019, posted a 7-2 mark. So far, Stevenson is a perfect 10-0.
"Overall records and stats are something we are always excited to have go out about our boys program,” said Chavez. “All of it is a result of the sacrifice they have put in prior to this season.
"Tonight, it was a game we totally expected. We knew we would have to be prepared for an opponent that plays hard for 80 minutes and tonight for 100. It was intense, exciting, and we're all happy to get out with the result we came here for."
Early in the season, fifth-seeded and 18th-ranked Fremd (14-7-2) came home from a weekend trip to Wisconsin with its tail between legs. The Vikings' record fell to 2-3-2 after conceding nine goals in two games against perennial Midwest powers Marquette (Wis.) and Chaminade (Mo.)
"(That) weekend was the turning point of this season," said Keller, whose team played without top player Leo Akashi on Tuesday. He injured his ankle Oct. 22 in the Vikings 4-2 regional championship win against Zion-Benton.
"We were terrible. We got our butts kicked. But I believe the team grew up, dug down deep and regrouped. After that, we slowly began to find ourselves.”
"Marquette put seven in on us. To be honest, I think we kind of quit on ourselves," said Robby Remian, a 2021 Chicagoland Soccer all-stater who helped his club stay in games with brilliant work between the sticks.
“But we came together as a team and played like a team afterward. Our focus, work ethic and desire to be better really made the difference. It helped us go on a great run to win the MSL Soccer Cup and get into this game tonight.”
The senior could do nothing when the Patriots (19-0-3) took control early. Alex Xie hit a stunning opener just six minutes into the match.
"No. 16 (Xie) had great speed and control. When we dove in on him, it allowed him to race up the left side and put one just inside the far post with just a great finish," said Remian.
"That obviously was not the start we wanted tonight," said Vikings senior Joey Rodino, who once again proved to be one of the best box-to-box warriors in the area with his usual high-energy, all-action play. “They were the better team for most of the first half, but we got ourselves back into the game with a strong second half to make it a game.”
"I really think that goal (Xie) scored might have been his first since he was named MVP at the Jim Wolter Titans Invitational at Glenbrook South way back in early September," said Chavez.
Fremd responded. A well-executed counter put Will Mayer on the end of an attempt on frame that Stevenson blocked on the way in.
All-state candidate Steven Nyc, the Patriots first-class center back, made interception, disruption and tackling success his major priorities for the game. He came up big with a wonderful tackle on Mayer to stop a potential 1-v-1 opportunity for the Vikings senior, whose pace, speed and work-rate up-top caused Chavez and his staff nervous moments.
"No. 9 (Mayer) gave us so much trouble in the first half,” Chavez said. “We just were not able to deal with him as well as we wanted.
“We changed things up a bit at the break and were able to keep a better eye on him the rest of the way."
However, Mayer helped send teammate Kenan Mesic to the spot after Owen Winegar set him free up the left side. He then raced into the box where he was brought down.
Patriots keeper Aidan Morris guessed correctly and smothered Mesic’s 22nd-minute spot-kick which was headed to the keeper’s right.
"Big save from Aidan when we needed it most," said Chavez.
The Fremd faithful thought another PK would go their way after a lovely ball out of the back from Genki Wakayama sent Mayer into the box. He endured a rough ride but not enough of one for referee Jay McCrane to point to the spot.
"We had to weather some pressure from (them) for a little bit in the first half,” said Janda. “But I really feel we had most of the play. It's just too bad we couldn't add another goal or two before the break."
It wasn't for a lack of effort from the team in green shirts.
Janda had a chance in the 20th minute after his neat little right-left into the box allowed him to latch onto a nice ball from Bryant Rouse.
Some careless play in the back allowed Nazar Mormul a chance, however the talented Stevenson senior may have taken one too many touches as he looked to pull Remian far off his line.
Xie, through Mormul and Janda, watched his attempt at the back post blocked two minutes later as the Patriots continued their search for a second goal.
They found it if not for a fearless run off the line by Remian before a late reaction-save on Daniel Sokolvsky ended a glorious opportunity for the Patriots.
"Robby has done that for us all year long," said Rodino.
Mesic, who pressured the Zion-Benton defense with a series of long-range left-footed serves into the box Saturday, launched a dangerous effort in the 37th minute. Nyc defused the situation with a firm header that parried the threat out of harm’s way.
On the other end, Nyc headed over from in-close when he met a Grayson Lueck serve just before intermission.
"We absorbed a lot of pressure from them in the first half. With the wind in the second half, we looked to do the same to them, which we did," said Keller.
Chavez moved some pieces around to slow the advances of Mayer and deny him the ball. Keller introduced senior Cam Wiehe alongside center back Ronan Allord and pushed Rodino up farther from his spot at the six.
Mayer was rewarded for his efforts in the 59th minute when he nodded home a long free kick from Winegar over Morris and just under the woodwork.
"We got new life after we got back even and really went after them for the rest of the second half. Unfortunately, we could not put another one in," said Remian.
With Stevenson’s Bhargav Devabhaktuni winning his fair share of first and second balls in the middle of the park and the Nyc-led backline, Fremd's drive forward was met with plenty of resistance.
"No. 5 (Nyc) played with so much poise and composure in the back for them. He kept things organized and under control when they needed it most," said Keller.
"Steven is the man back there for us, but he got plenty of help from others to keep the chances on frame to a minimum," offered Chavez.
Nyc, and Rodino shared the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honor for their efforts.
With overtime looming, Fremd sophomore Kyle Grasse forced Morris into action, as did Mayer before a long free kick from Mesic was collected with ease by the Patriots keeper.
In the first of the two 10-minute extra sessions, play was a little more wide open. Janda got in-close, and Nyc’s wind-aided 40-yard free kick forced Remian to answer. The sequence led to consecutive corners that the Vikings defended smartly.
"I told the guys after regulation (there) was no way we would be outplayed for two-straight periods after defending so much in the second half," said Chavez. “I thought they really came out and played well in overtime to turn things more in our favor.”
With both sides playing with energy, urgency, gusto and speed, it appeared the only way this contest would be settled was through kicks. But Janda seized the moment on the tail end of a brilliant secondary run.
"Jack (Bacher) flicked the ball to me off a freekick from Nyc to put me in a 1-v-1 situation. The keeper came off his line, and I just went the other way," said Janda, whose sublime touch and clinical finish was the game-winner.
"Bacher has been our super-sub all year long,” said a proud Chavez. “He's scored 8-9 goals plus a bunch of assists, His work and effort on Janda's goal was typical of what he's done this year."
Janda called the goal " the biggest moment of my life." He and his teammates managed the final six minutes of time to close out Fremd’s season.
"Unfortunately, we had a little bit of a breakdown on that side of the field,” said Remian. “Filip, who is a very good player, did a great job to go past me when I came off my line to hopefully cut the angle."
"It's tough going out like this, but we played hard,” said Rodino. “Even though we had to chase the game for the first half, we got back even, had our chances just like they did, but it just wasn't enough.”
"It's been a great two years here," began Remian.
"We played for the state title last year, won two-straight MSL championships, and had the chance to do all of that with friends who I've known and played together with since we were 6-7 years old."
"It's been a great ride for sure."
For Keller, and his staff, it was a season which began with plenty of question marks after graduation losses took an all-star backline away, two all-state field players, a gifted unit in the midfield, and 13 seniors.
"We had a nice core coming back, but there was so much we didn't know about this team," said Keller.
"Once we finally sorted things out, and got players where they fit best, we began to play well as a group, won our division, then the league championship. Tonight, we asked the players to fight, give it their all and not leave anything in the tank. They did that, and for that they should be very proud of themselves."
Starting lineups
Fremd (4-4-2)
G- Robby Remian
D- Kyle Grasse
D- Ronan Allord
D- Michael Leonczuk
D- Genki Wakayama
MF- Joey Rodino
MF- Nicky Sapiente
MF- Kenan Mesic
MF- Owen Winegar
F- Will Mayer
F- Kosta Alex
Stevenson (4-4-2)
G- Aidan Morris
D- Burak Gulsen
D- Steven Nyc
D- Alex Huelsman
D- Grayson Lueck
MF- Bhargav Devabhaktuni
MF- Alex Xie
MF- Bryant Rouse
MF- Rohan Gopalam
F- Nazar Mormul
F- Daniel Sokolovsky
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match:
Steven Nyc, sr., D, Stevenson;
Joey Rodino, sr., MF, Fremd
Referee: Jay McCrane
Scoring summary
First half
Stevenson: Xie (U/A), 6'
Second half
Fremd: Mayer (Mesic), 59'
First overtime
No scoring
Second overtime
Stevenson: Janda (Bacher), 94'
Statistics
Shots on goal
Fremd: 6
Stevenson: 5
Shots off
Fremd: 3
Stevenson: 5
Corner kicks
Fremd: 3
Stevenson: 3
Offsides
Fremd: 0
Stevenson: 3
Fouls
Fremd: 9
Stevenson: 15
Blocked shots
Fremd: 1
Stevenson: 3
Vikings drive for return trip to Final Four falls short
By Mike Garofola
BUFFALO GROVE -- Stevenson boss PepeJon Chavez saluted his men after they survived a 100-minute thriller in the rain Tuesday night at Grant Blaney Stadium. Filip Janda struck late in extra time to down Mid-Suburban League champion Fremd in the sectional semifinal.
The 94th-minute game-winner gave the top-seeded Patriots a 2-1 victory and sent Chavez's club into the Friday night final against North Suburban Conference rival Waukegan. The 14th-seeded Bulldogs beat no. 7-seed Lake Zurich in penalty kicks for their third-consecutive playoff victory over a higher-seeded team.
Stevenson beat Waukegan 4-1 in a home win Sept. 30.
Fremd became the latest victim of the Patriots.
"To beat a Steve Keller team, who I have great respect for, is something all of our guys should be extremely proud of," said Chavez, who watched both sides brave the rain, wind and cold on a dreadful night, yet somehow deliver a highly entertaining and fiercely contested match. “There are few managers in this sport that have their team prepared and ready for their opponent better than Steve.”
"We knew, with Fremd, what to expect,” said Janda. “For us, it wasn't just that we wanted revenge for them ending our season last year in the same game. We just want to keep going in the tournament."
The game a year ago saw the Patriots take a 4-0 loss from the Vikings, who were on their way to a Class 3A second place finish and sparkling 21-3-1 record.
Janda and his mates enjoyed a very good 2021 campaign at 15-3-4 and finished second in the North Suburban Conference behind Warren.
The success this season for the fifth-ranked team in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 has been made possible by plenty of extra work during the offseason, a veteran roster and a remarkable record in one-goal games.
York, the 2021 champion went 5-1 in one-goal games. West Chicago, which won in 2019, posted a 7-2 mark. So far, Stevenson is a perfect 10-0.
"Overall records and stats are something we are always excited to have go out about our boys program,” said Chavez. “All of it is a result of the sacrifice they have put in prior to this season.
"Tonight, it was a game we totally expected. We knew we would have to be prepared for an opponent that plays hard for 80 minutes and tonight for 100. It was intense, exciting, and we're all happy to get out with the result we came here for."
Early in the season, fifth-seeded and 18th-ranked Fremd (14-7-2) came home from a weekend trip to Wisconsin with its tail between legs. The Vikings' record fell to 2-3-2 after conceding nine goals in two games against perennial Midwest powers Marquette (Wis.) and Chaminade (Mo.)
"(That) weekend was the turning point of this season," said Keller, whose team played without top player Leo Akashi on Tuesday. He injured his ankle Oct. 22 in the Vikings 4-2 regional championship win against Zion-Benton.
"We were terrible. We got our butts kicked. But I believe the team grew up, dug down deep and regrouped. After that, we slowly began to find ourselves.”
"Marquette put seven in on us. To be honest, I think we kind of quit on ourselves," said Robby Remian, a 2021 Chicagoland Soccer all-stater who helped his club stay in games with brilliant work between the sticks.
“But we came together as a team and played like a team afterward. Our focus, work ethic and desire to be better really made the difference. It helped us go on a great run to win the MSL Soccer Cup and get into this game tonight.”
The senior could do nothing when the Patriots (19-0-3) took control early. Alex Xie hit a stunning opener just six minutes into the match.
"No. 16 (Xie) had great speed and control. When we dove in on him, it allowed him to race up the left side and put one just inside the far post with just a great finish," said Remian.
"That obviously was not the start we wanted tonight," said Vikings senior Joey Rodino, who once again proved to be one of the best box-to-box warriors in the area with his usual high-energy, all-action play. “They were the better team for most of the first half, but we got ourselves back into the game with a strong second half to make it a game.”
"I really think that goal (Xie) scored might have been his first since he was named MVP at the Jim Wolter Titans Invitational at Glenbrook South way back in early September," said Chavez.
Fremd responded. A well-executed counter put Will Mayer on the end of an attempt on frame that Stevenson blocked on the way in.
All-state candidate Steven Nyc, the Patriots first-class center back, made interception, disruption and tackling success his major priorities for the game. He came up big with a wonderful tackle on Mayer to stop a potential 1-v-1 opportunity for the Vikings senior, whose pace, speed and work-rate up-top caused Chavez and his staff nervous moments.
"No. 9 (Mayer) gave us so much trouble in the first half,” Chavez said. “We just were not able to deal with him as well as we wanted.
“We changed things up a bit at the break and were able to keep a better eye on him the rest of the way."
However, Mayer helped send teammate Kenan Mesic to the spot after Owen Winegar set him free up the left side. He then raced into the box where he was brought down.
Patriots keeper Aidan Morris guessed correctly and smothered Mesic’s 22nd-minute spot-kick which was headed to the keeper’s right.
"Big save from Aidan when we needed it most," said Chavez.
The Fremd faithful thought another PK would go their way after a lovely ball out of the back from Genki Wakayama sent Mayer into the box. He endured a rough ride but not enough of one for referee Jay McCrane to point to the spot.
"We had to weather some pressure from (them) for a little bit in the first half,” said Janda. “But I really feel we had most of the play. It's just too bad we couldn't add another goal or two before the break."
It wasn't for a lack of effort from the team in green shirts.
Janda had a chance in the 20th minute after his neat little right-left into the box allowed him to latch onto a nice ball from Bryant Rouse.
Some careless play in the back allowed Nazar Mormul a chance, however the talented Stevenson senior may have taken one too many touches as he looked to pull Remian far off his line.
Xie, through Mormul and Janda, watched his attempt at the back post blocked two minutes later as the Patriots continued their search for a second goal.
They found it if not for a fearless run off the line by Remian before a late reaction-save on Daniel Sokolvsky ended a glorious opportunity for the Patriots.
"Robby has done that for us all year long," said Rodino.
Mesic, who pressured the Zion-Benton defense with a series of long-range left-footed serves into the box Saturday, launched a dangerous effort in the 37th minute. Nyc defused the situation with a firm header that parried the threat out of harm’s way.
On the other end, Nyc headed over from in-close when he met a Grayson Lueck serve just before intermission.
"We absorbed a lot of pressure from them in the first half. With the wind in the second half, we looked to do the same to them, which we did," said Keller.
Chavez moved some pieces around to slow the advances of Mayer and deny him the ball. Keller introduced senior Cam Wiehe alongside center back Ronan Allord and pushed Rodino up farther from his spot at the six.
Mayer was rewarded for his efforts in the 59th minute when he nodded home a long free kick from Winegar over Morris and just under the woodwork.
"We got new life after we got back even and really went after them for the rest of the second half. Unfortunately, we could not put another one in," said Remian.
With Stevenson’s Bhargav Devabhaktuni winning his fair share of first and second balls in the middle of the park and the Nyc-led backline, Fremd's drive forward was met with plenty of resistance.
"No. 5 (Nyc) played with so much poise and composure in the back for them. He kept things organized and under control when they needed it most," said Keller.
"Steven is the man back there for us, but he got plenty of help from others to keep the chances on frame to a minimum," offered Chavez.
Nyc, and Rodino shared the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honor for their efforts.
With overtime looming, Fremd sophomore Kyle Grasse forced Morris into action, as did Mayer before a long free kick from Mesic was collected with ease by the Patriots keeper.
In the first of the two 10-minute extra sessions, play was a little more wide open. Janda got in-close, and Nyc’s wind-aided 40-yard free kick forced Remian to answer. The sequence led to consecutive corners that the Vikings defended smartly.
"I told the guys after regulation (there) was no way we would be outplayed for two-straight periods after defending so much in the second half," said Chavez. “I thought they really came out and played well in overtime to turn things more in our favor.”
With both sides playing with energy, urgency, gusto and speed, it appeared the only way this contest would be settled was through kicks. But Janda seized the moment on the tail end of a brilliant secondary run.
"Jack (Bacher) flicked the ball to me off a freekick from Nyc to put me in a 1-v-1 situation. The keeper came off his line, and I just went the other way," said Janda, whose sublime touch and clinical finish was the game-winner.
"Bacher has been our super-sub all year long,” said a proud Chavez. “He's scored 8-9 goals plus a bunch of assists, His work and effort on Janda's goal was typical of what he's done this year."
Janda called the goal " the biggest moment of my life." He and his teammates managed the final six minutes of time to close out Fremd’s season.
"Unfortunately, we had a little bit of a breakdown on that side of the field,” said Remian. “Filip, who is a very good player, did a great job to go past me when I came off my line to hopefully cut the angle."
"It's tough going out like this, but we played hard,” said Rodino. “Even though we had to chase the game for the first half, we got back even, had our chances just like they did, but it just wasn't enough.”
"It's been a great two years here," began Remian.
"We played for the state title last year, won two-straight MSL championships, and had the chance to do all of that with friends who I've known and played together with since we were 6-7 years old."
"It's been a great ride for sure."
For Keller, and his staff, it was a season which began with plenty of question marks after graduation losses took an all-star backline away, two all-state field players, a gifted unit in the midfield, and 13 seniors.
"We had a nice core coming back, but there was so much we didn't know about this team," said Keller.
"Once we finally sorted things out, and got players where they fit best, we began to play well as a group, won our division, then the league championship. Tonight, we asked the players to fight, give it their all and not leave anything in the tank. They did that, and for that they should be very proud of themselves."
Starting lineups
Fremd (4-4-2)
G- Robby Remian
D- Kyle Grasse
D- Ronan Allord
D- Michael Leonczuk
D- Genki Wakayama
MF- Joey Rodino
MF- Nicky Sapiente
MF- Kenan Mesic
MF- Owen Winegar
F- Will Mayer
F- Kosta Alex
Stevenson (4-4-2)
G- Aidan Morris
D- Burak Gulsen
D- Steven Nyc
D- Alex Huelsman
D- Grayson Lueck
MF- Bhargav Devabhaktuni
MF- Alex Xie
MF- Bryant Rouse
MF- Rohan Gopalam
F- Nazar Mormul
F- Daniel Sokolovsky
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match:
Steven Nyc, sr., D, Stevenson;
Joey Rodino, sr., MF, Fremd
Referee: Jay McCrane
Scoring summary
First half
Stevenson: Xie (U/A), 6'
Second half
Fremd: Mayer (Mesic), 59'
First overtime
No scoring
Second overtime
Stevenson: Janda (Bacher), 94'
Statistics
Shots on goal
Fremd: 6
Stevenson: 5
Shots off
Fremd: 3
Stevenson: 5
Corner kicks
Fremd: 3
Stevenson: 3
Offsides
Fremd: 0
Stevenson: 3
Fouls
Fremd: 9
Stevenson: 15
Blocked shots
Fremd: 1
Stevenson: 3