Fremd falls to MSL East favorite Wheeling
Vikings a work in progress against more-polished Wildcats
By Mike Garofola
PALATINE -- It appears Wheeling once again will be Public Enemy No. 1 in the MSL East this season.
An impressive first half goal from Jose Mariscal, a superb finish by Vicente Castro and an own goal gave the reigning conference champs a well deserved 3-0 Mid-Suburban League College Showcase win over Fremd in the league opener for both clubs at the Palatine Celtic Soccer Club grounds in Palatine.
Steve Keller's men showed they could play at the speed of the technically gifted Wildcats (2-0-1) after finally getting themselves into the game after a less than impressive first quarter hour. But the Vikings (0-2-0) lacked the final third sharpness that defined the two league rivals on this night.
"Wheeling is a very good soccer team, (maybe) the best in our conference this year," began Keller, the Fremd manager.
"But we didn't play well at all in the first 15-20 minutes. (They) set the tone with some terrific attacking soccer, and we had little or no answer for it.
"We could have put one or two in at some point, and I'm not here to tell you we would have won if we did. (It's) just that things might have been a little more interesting if we had."
Wheeling entered the game off a five-goal explosion earlier in the week that ended in a 5-5 draw with Cary-Grove. The result left Wheeling manager Kevin Lennon shaking his head. Friday was more to the script.
"We feel like we can score goals this season, but in that game, we gave up some bad goals, especially after we scored," he said. "We knew we had to pay particular attention to that, and for the most part, we did well defending as a team after we scored tonight."
While Fremd was shaky in the early stages, the Wildcats began the game with an invigorating, end-to-end style which immediately put Vikings midfielder Matt Austin and his mates under plenty of pressure.
"We just weren't very good (or) ready at the start. (It) took us awhile to get going on both sides of the ball. But once we did, we played much better, (but) we can be so much better," said the senior, who was the best player going forward on the night for the Vikings.
Wheeling put three on frame in the first 20 minutes with Fremd sophomore keeper Artur Cholewa called into the action for two save opportunities. In addition, Castro, Mariscal and varsity newcomer, Phil Bucko up-top helped insure the Wildcats would surge forward on a handful of forays into the Vikings end.
"We were dispossessed far too easily at times, which showed our lack of experience in the back," Keller said. "And we had so much trouble with our possession during the first part of the first half. (But) we fought hard, and finally figured a few things out as we went along."
An unfortunate own goal gave Wheeling the advantage at 22 minutes, but the bad luck seemed to give the Fremd attack some life.
Austin's left-footed blast went wide but was a good look on frame nonetheless. A few moments later, Max Mayer forced Wheeling keeper Jonathan Ayala to save.
Mariscal continued to be one of the brightest players for the Wildcats as halftime approached. When the big forward barreled into the box to the spot, he met a superb cross from Jared Urueta for a 2-0 lead three minutes from intermission.
"We can't let those types of things happen, and that's where seniors like me have to pull our weight and play better and smarter," said Austin.
Keller deploy defensive midfielder Jake Schoffstall into a more advanced spot from just in front of his backline, and the big sophomore's ability to win balls and distribute helped jumpstart the Vikings attack, while slowing Wheeling closer to the speed limit.
Fremd's clearest opportunities arrived just minutes into the second period.
That's when Dalton Rogers, Ryan Cox and Schoffstall each had a half-chance at Ayala after Austin raced up the right side at full speed to beat a trio of defenders and unlock the Wildcats in their own end.
Jake Scesniak headed a shot over the bar following a long throw from Schoffstall in the 53rd minute, but the attempt awoke a sleepy Wildcats attack which was quiet for its longest stretch of the night.
Miguel Rodriguez and Bucko helped create a freekick, then a corner, before a timely tackle from Ben Cuthbert ended a dazzling, clever run-and-carry into the box by Castro.
Nobody in a green shirt could do a thing when, in a moment of brilliance, Castro made it 3-0 on a highlight film left-footer from 16 yards at 65 minutes.
The Wheeling senior earned Chicagoland Soccer's Man of the Match honor for his efforts following this game.
The determined Fremd club did not fold and continued to push forward until this well-played, and well-officiated game came to an end.
Scesniak nearly caught up on the end of a long throw-in the box, while Austin, with a helper from Max Clark, saw his chance to strike end when Ayala bravely came off his line in the 73rd minute.
"We'll get better, and figure things out. (Keller) will make sure of it," said Austin afterwards.
Keller concluded: "We matched the speed of play of Wheeling at times, and looked pretty good doing so. But they are intelligent, crafty, and very dangerous. And we learned a few things about ourselves tonight that we'll address as we go forward."
Fremd opens pool play in the Best of the West Invitational against Benet on Tuesday in Naperville. Wheeling travels to the 32nd annual Jim Wolter Titans Invitational next week at Glenbrook South.
Starting lineups
Fremd
GK- Artur Cholewa
D- Russell Beaupre
D- Ben Cuthbert
D- Kaelan Conway
D- Max Clark
M- Jake Schoffstall
M- Dalton Rogers
M- Angel Virgos
M- Matt Austin
M- Jake Scesniak
F- Ryan Cox
Wheeling
GK: Jonathan Ayala
D- Jesus Avila
D- David Soto
D- Randy Pietrowski
D- Jared Urueta
M- Jason Rivas
M- Vicente Castro
M- Miguel Rodriguez
M- Robert Cruz
F- Jose Mariscal
F- Phil Bucko
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Vicente Castro, Wheeling, sr., MF
Scoring summary
Wheeling
Own goal 22', Mariscal (Ureta) 37' Castro (U/A). 65'
Referee: Dimitri Katsimingos
Vikings a work in progress against more-polished Wildcats
By Mike Garofola
PALATINE -- It appears Wheeling once again will be Public Enemy No. 1 in the MSL East this season.
An impressive first half goal from Jose Mariscal, a superb finish by Vicente Castro and an own goal gave the reigning conference champs a well deserved 3-0 Mid-Suburban League College Showcase win over Fremd in the league opener for both clubs at the Palatine Celtic Soccer Club grounds in Palatine.
Steve Keller's men showed they could play at the speed of the technically gifted Wildcats (2-0-1) after finally getting themselves into the game after a less than impressive first quarter hour. But the Vikings (0-2-0) lacked the final third sharpness that defined the two league rivals on this night.
"Wheeling is a very good soccer team, (maybe) the best in our conference this year," began Keller, the Fremd manager.
"But we didn't play well at all in the first 15-20 minutes. (They) set the tone with some terrific attacking soccer, and we had little or no answer for it.
"We could have put one or two in at some point, and I'm not here to tell you we would have won if we did. (It's) just that things might have been a little more interesting if we had."
Wheeling entered the game off a five-goal explosion earlier in the week that ended in a 5-5 draw with Cary-Grove. The result left Wheeling manager Kevin Lennon shaking his head. Friday was more to the script.
"We feel like we can score goals this season, but in that game, we gave up some bad goals, especially after we scored," he said. "We knew we had to pay particular attention to that, and for the most part, we did well defending as a team after we scored tonight."
While Fremd was shaky in the early stages, the Wildcats began the game with an invigorating, end-to-end style which immediately put Vikings midfielder Matt Austin and his mates under plenty of pressure.
"We just weren't very good (or) ready at the start. (It) took us awhile to get going on both sides of the ball. But once we did, we played much better, (but) we can be so much better," said the senior, who was the best player going forward on the night for the Vikings.
Wheeling put three on frame in the first 20 minutes with Fremd sophomore keeper Artur Cholewa called into the action for two save opportunities. In addition, Castro, Mariscal and varsity newcomer, Phil Bucko up-top helped insure the Wildcats would surge forward on a handful of forays into the Vikings end.
"We were dispossessed far too easily at times, which showed our lack of experience in the back," Keller said. "And we had so much trouble with our possession during the first part of the first half. (But) we fought hard, and finally figured a few things out as we went along."
An unfortunate own goal gave Wheeling the advantage at 22 minutes, but the bad luck seemed to give the Fremd attack some life.
Austin's left-footed blast went wide but was a good look on frame nonetheless. A few moments later, Max Mayer forced Wheeling keeper Jonathan Ayala to save.
Mariscal continued to be one of the brightest players for the Wildcats as halftime approached. When the big forward barreled into the box to the spot, he met a superb cross from Jared Urueta for a 2-0 lead three minutes from intermission.
"We can't let those types of things happen, and that's where seniors like me have to pull our weight and play better and smarter," said Austin.
Keller deploy defensive midfielder Jake Schoffstall into a more advanced spot from just in front of his backline, and the big sophomore's ability to win balls and distribute helped jumpstart the Vikings attack, while slowing Wheeling closer to the speed limit.
Fremd's clearest opportunities arrived just minutes into the second period.
That's when Dalton Rogers, Ryan Cox and Schoffstall each had a half-chance at Ayala after Austin raced up the right side at full speed to beat a trio of defenders and unlock the Wildcats in their own end.
Jake Scesniak headed a shot over the bar following a long throw from Schoffstall in the 53rd minute, but the attempt awoke a sleepy Wildcats attack which was quiet for its longest stretch of the night.
Miguel Rodriguez and Bucko helped create a freekick, then a corner, before a timely tackle from Ben Cuthbert ended a dazzling, clever run-and-carry into the box by Castro.
Nobody in a green shirt could do a thing when, in a moment of brilliance, Castro made it 3-0 on a highlight film left-footer from 16 yards at 65 minutes.
The Wheeling senior earned Chicagoland Soccer's Man of the Match honor for his efforts following this game.
The determined Fremd club did not fold and continued to push forward until this well-played, and well-officiated game came to an end.
Scesniak nearly caught up on the end of a long throw-in the box, while Austin, with a helper from Max Clark, saw his chance to strike end when Ayala bravely came off his line in the 73rd minute.
"We'll get better, and figure things out. (Keller) will make sure of it," said Austin afterwards.
Keller concluded: "We matched the speed of play of Wheeling at times, and looked pretty good doing so. But they are intelligent, crafty, and very dangerous. And we learned a few things about ourselves tonight that we'll address as we go forward."
Fremd opens pool play in the Best of the West Invitational against Benet on Tuesday in Naperville. Wheeling travels to the 32nd annual Jim Wolter Titans Invitational next week at Glenbrook South.
Starting lineups
Fremd
GK- Artur Cholewa
D- Russell Beaupre
D- Ben Cuthbert
D- Kaelan Conway
D- Max Clark
M- Jake Schoffstall
M- Dalton Rogers
M- Angel Virgos
M- Matt Austin
M- Jake Scesniak
F- Ryan Cox
Wheeling
GK: Jonathan Ayala
D- Jesus Avila
D- David Soto
D- Randy Pietrowski
D- Jared Urueta
M- Jason Rivas
M- Vicente Castro
M- Miguel Rodriguez
M- Robert Cruz
F- Jose Mariscal
F- Phil Bucko
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Vicente Castro, Wheeling, sr., MF
Scoring summary
Wheeling
Own goal 22', Mariscal (Ureta) 37' Castro (U/A). 65'
Referee: Dimitri Katsimingos