Early Barrington barrage stifles Hersey
Fillies goals in 1st 20 minutes secure 3-0 win
By Mike Garofola
BARRINGTON -- Junior Riley Raynor opened the scoring against visiting Hersey in the fourth minute, then doubled her tally total 60 seconds later to give Barrington more than it needed as the Fillies outshined the Huskies in a 3-0 Mid-Suburban League victory Saturday afternoon at Barrington Community Stadium.
On the tail-end of a marvelous run by both Raynor and her teammate Lara Lubinsky, Raynor steered in her teammate’s inch-perfect helper. Next, she redirected a superb serve from Gracie Stagnito with technical accuracy to send the visitors reeling for the rest of the first period.
"That's the type of start we've been looking for this season said,” said Fillies manager Ryan Stengren. “That is what we're looking for from Riley, who is very capable of providing goal scoring and creativity from her spot up-top,"
Hersey was stunned from the start.
"We played pretty well last night in our 2-0 win over Schaumburg, but after their two early goals, we just kind of checked out for a while," said the Huskies terrific center back, and four-year star Jane Stefaniak.
"We are just so young of a team, and let's face it -- Barrington is Barrington," continued Stefaniak, who will attend Colorado State in the fall, where she will study exercise science with an eye on becoming either a physical therapist or athletic trainer.
"Barrington has been a power in our conference for a long time and has the name, and the type of players who can be a little too much for first-time varsity players to handle (especially) after they scored two quick goals on us.
"We came around and played better in the second half, so that is something we can take with us heading into this coming week."
"Jane plays with an incredible amount of passion," said Huskies manager Mike Rusniak. “She has the internal drive that makes her an awesome competitor, and I feel that her passion and drive has rubbed off on the younger players, which is all you can really ask as a coach.”
The Huskies (2-5-1, 2-4-0) had a far too busy week with four games.
Host Barrington, ranked sixth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, played just two; the first ended in a double-overtime 1-1 draw against East Division leader and 22nd-ranked Buffalo Grove on Wednesday.
"It's a game we would have liked to have earned three points," offered Stengren. “We had to settle for (one) against a very talented Buffalo Grove team. We had 75-80 percent of the possession but just could not finish our chances
The four points claimed last week placed the Fillies (5-1-2, 3-0-1) just behind Fremd and upstart Hoffman Estates. Both are two points clear of the reigning MSL champs (12-10) who are level with Conant in what has become a highly competitive MSL West Division race.
Barrington and Fremd will face each other Wednesday evening. Buffalo Grove played at Fremd on Monday night.
This week of fixtures should help the league sort itself out.
Raynor and senior Jen Devona echoed the stance that the game with Buffalo Grove is behind them, and they won’t look back.
Raynor earned Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors for her goal-scoring heroics and all-around play.
"We have all moved on from that game and turned our focus on our next training session," said Raynor, who now has a team-leading seven goals on the season.
"It's good to hear the girls have made our next training session our focus,” said Stengren. “It's all about taking one half of soccer at a time and nothing else."
With sophomore Brooke Brown out of action with a minor injury, Stengren installed her classmate Meredith McGreevy in the middle of the park alongside Nicole Gwiasda. The two first-year varsity players formed a nice partnership; each helped run the show while doing their fair share of winning balls and tackling.
The aforementioned Stagnito displayed a wonderful work rate as one of the Fillies outside backs and a willingness to join the attack.
The Fillies backline in fact was active throughout the contest and took turns getting forward or supplying meaningful deep service. Among them was senior Kate McGreevy, who can strike a long ball with purpose and accuracy, as well as defend and organize with the best of them.
"Kate once again had a very good day,” Stengren said. “She gives us so much experience back there, and she plays with composure, and is always in control of the situation. That helps with a backline that has been completely rebuilt."
Hersey continued to soak up more and more pressure from the home side. Rusniak stayed in a 4-5-1 formation and hoped freshman Faith Sena could break free up-top as the lone forward.
Sophomore keeper Alli Paulsen did well between the sticks for her club.
"We have a lot of confidence in Alli as well as our backline with Stefaniak in charge,” said the Hersey manager. “It's no excuse, but we were tired coming into this game.
“I think those two early goals did a real number mentally on the girls until after the break."
Paulsen could do nothing on the Jen Devona goal at 20 minutes. She collected a ball from Lara Lubinsky on a center-channel run then moved quickly to her right to shed her mark. With another player on her left shoulder, she took a magnificent touch and finished past the diving Paulsen.
"All three goals today were excellent,” said Stengren. “We've been working hard with Riley to have her do exactly what she did today, and for Jen, (that) was a tremendous sequence and finish for her."
Before Stengren began to bring on fresh legs to preserve his club for the upcoming week, the Fillies impressed with 85 percent of the possession and three separate instances when the home side combined for 12 pass completions.
The best chance for the visitors came just before the intermission when Sena saw Avery Williams near the spot, but alert Fillies keeper Coast Liapis read the troublesome serve and dashed the Huskies hopes for a late first half goal.
Liapis shared the sixth clean-sheet of the season with teammates Abby Raynor and Mady Pennino.
The game completed Hersey’s toughest stretch of the season that saw it face the top four contenders in the conference.
"I am very proud of how they handled the week, especially after tough losses to Hoffman Estates and Fremd earlier in the week, which could have had a major impact on their overall attitude,” Rusniak said.
The coach watched Avery Williams nearly chip Abby Raynor after a short clearing effort off a Huskies corner.
Barrington went to its bench at the hour mark to ensure the entire club hit the pitch.
"With each game we're seeing more cohesive play from all of us, so that one thing that has been a real positive for us," Riley Raynor said.
Devona added: "With so many new, first-time varsity players, we knew it would take some time to come together. It's beginning to click for us on both sides of the ball. I think our best soccer is ahead of us."
Stengren was pleased with the effort of the junior duo of Stagnito and Nicole Gwiasda in the midfield. He also singled out sophomore defender Ellie Sanchez, who provided solid support along the back with his first-class center back Kate McGreevy.
"It was also nice to see both Raynor and Devona be so involved and dangerous today, it's something we've been working on, and hoping for," said Stengren.
Rusniak, whose club plays at Prospect on Wednesday, liked what he saw from Ali Beck and Natalie Suto, both in his starting 11 along the back.
"Our defense has kept us in most games, and today, against a team like Barrington, who can move the ball so well, both Ali and Natalie really battled the entire game as we did our best to manage things in the back," he said.
Starting lineups
Hersey (4-5-1)
G- Alli Paulsen
D- Cassie Caruso
D- Jane Stefaniak
D- Natalie Suto
D- Ali Beck
M- Becca Caliendo
M- Norah Viers
M- Avery Williams
M- Avery Larson
M- Maddy Kim
F- Faith Sena
Barrington (4-4-2)
G- Coast Liapis
D- Gracie Stagnito
D- Ella VanNess
D- Kate McGreevy
D- Ellie Sanchez
M- Lara Lubinsky
M- Nicole Gwiasda
M- Meredith McGreevy
M- Jen Devona
F- Riley Raynor
F- Kate Lubinsky
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match:
Riley Raynor, jr., F, Barrington
Referee
Mariusz Folta
Scoring summary
First half
Barrington: R. Raynor (L. Lubinsky) 4'
Barrington: R. Raynor (Stagnito) 5''
Barrington: Devona (L. Lubinsky) 20'
Second half
No scoring
Fillies goals in 1st 20 minutes secure 3-0 win
By Mike Garofola
BARRINGTON -- Junior Riley Raynor opened the scoring against visiting Hersey in the fourth minute, then doubled her tally total 60 seconds later to give Barrington more than it needed as the Fillies outshined the Huskies in a 3-0 Mid-Suburban League victory Saturday afternoon at Barrington Community Stadium.
On the tail-end of a marvelous run by both Raynor and her teammate Lara Lubinsky, Raynor steered in her teammate’s inch-perfect helper. Next, she redirected a superb serve from Gracie Stagnito with technical accuracy to send the visitors reeling for the rest of the first period.
"That's the type of start we've been looking for this season said,” said Fillies manager Ryan Stengren. “That is what we're looking for from Riley, who is very capable of providing goal scoring and creativity from her spot up-top,"
Hersey was stunned from the start.
"We played pretty well last night in our 2-0 win over Schaumburg, but after their two early goals, we just kind of checked out for a while," said the Huskies terrific center back, and four-year star Jane Stefaniak.
"We are just so young of a team, and let's face it -- Barrington is Barrington," continued Stefaniak, who will attend Colorado State in the fall, where she will study exercise science with an eye on becoming either a physical therapist or athletic trainer.
"Barrington has been a power in our conference for a long time and has the name, and the type of players who can be a little too much for first-time varsity players to handle (especially) after they scored two quick goals on us.
"We came around and played better in the second half, so that is something we can take with us heading into this coming week."
"Jane plays with an incredible amount of passion," said Huskies manager Mike Rusniak. “She has the internal drive that makes her an awesome competitor, and I feel that her passion and drive has rubbed off on the younger players, which is all you can really ask as a coach.”
The Huskies (2-5-1, 2-4-0) had a far too busy week with four games.
Host Barrington, ranked sixth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, played just two; the first ended in a double-overtime 1-1 draw against East Division leader and 22nd-ranked Buffalo Grove on Wednesday.
"It's a game we would have liked to have earned three points," offered Stengren. “We had to settle for (one) against a very talented Buffalo Grove team. We had 75-80 percent of the possession but just could not finish our chances
The four points claimed last week placed the Fillies (5-1-2, 3-0-1) just behind Fremd and upstart Hoffman Estates. Both are two points clear of the reigning MSL champs (12-10) who are level with Conant in what has become a highly competitive MSL West Division race.
Barrington and Fremd will face each other Wednesday evening. Buffalo Grove played at Fremd on Monday night.
This week of fixtures should help the league sort itself out.
Raynor and senior Jen Devona echoed the stance that the game with Buffalo Grove is behind them, and they won’t look back.
Raynor earned Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors for her goal-scoring heroics and all-around play.
"We have all moved on from that game and turned our focus on our next training session," said Raynor, who now has a team-leading seven goals on the season.
"It's good to hear the girls have made our next training session our focus,” said Stengren. “It's all about taking one half of soccer at a time and nothing else."
With sophomore Brooke Brown out of action with a minor injury, Stengren installed her classmate Meredith McGreevy in the middle of the park alongside Nicole Gwiasda. The two first-year varsity players formed a nice partnership; each helped run the show while doing their fair share of winning balls and tackling.
The aforementioned Stagnito displayed a wonderful work rate as one of the Fillies outside backs and a willingness to join the attack.
The Fillies backline in fact was active throughout the contest and took turns getting forward or supplying meaningful deep service. Among them was senior Kate McGreevy, who can strike a long ball with purpose and accuracy, as well as defend and organize with the best of them.
"Kate once again had a very good day,” Stengren said. “She gives us so much experience back there, and she plays with composure, and is always in control of the situation. That helps with a backline that has been completely rebuilt."
Hersey continued to soak up more and more pressure from the home side. Rusniak stayed in a 4-5-1 formation and hoped freshman Faith Sena could break free up-top as the lone forward.
Sophomore keeper Alli Paulsen did well between the sticks for her club.
"We have a lot of confidence in Alli as well as our backline with Stefaniak in charge,” said the Hersey manager. “It's no excuse, but we were tired coming into this game.
“I think those two early goals did a real number mentally on the girls until after the break."
Paulsen could do nothing on the Jen Devona goal at 20 minutes. She collected a ball from Lara Lubinsky on a center-channel run then moved quickly to her right to shed her mark. With another player on her left shoulder, she took a magnificent touch and finished past the diving Paulsen.
"All three goals today were excellent,” said Stengren. “We've been working hard with Riley to have her do exactly what she did today, and for Jen, (that) was a tremendous sequence and finish for her."
Before Stengren began to bring on fresh legs to preserve his club for the upcoming week, the Fillies impressed with 85 percent of the possession and three separate instances when the home side combined for 12 pass completions.
The best chance for the visitors came just before the intermission when Sena saw Avery Williams near the spot, but alert Fillies keeper Coast Liapis read the troublesome serve and dashed the Huskies hopes for a late first half goal.
Liapis shared the sixth clean-sheet of the season with teammates Abby Raynor and Mady Pennino.
The game completed Hersey’s toughest stretch of the season that saw it face the top four contenders in the conference.
"I am very proud of how they handled the week, especially after tough losses to Hoffman Estates and Fremd earlier in the week, which could have had a major impact on their overall attitude,” Rusniak said.
The coach watched Avery Williams nearly chip Abby Raynor after a short clearing effort off a Huskies corner.
Barrington went to its bench at the hour mark to ensure the entire club hit the pitch.
"With each game we're seeing more cohesive play from all of us, so that one thing that has been a real positive for us," Riley Raynor said.
Devona added: "With so many new, first-time varsity players, we knew it would take some time to come together. It's beginning to click for us on both sides of the ball. I think our best soccer is ahead of us."
Stengren was pleased with the effort of the junior duo of Stagnito and Nicole Gwiasda in the midfield. He also singled out sophomore defender Ellie Sanchez, who provided solid support along the back with his first-class center back Kate McGreevy.
"It was also nice to see both Raynor and Devona be so involved and dangerous today, it's something we've been working on, and hoping for," said Stengren.
Rusniak, whose club plays at Prospect on Wednesday, liked what he saw from Ali Beck and Natalie Suto, both in his starting 11 along the back.
"Our defense has kept us in most games, and today, against a team like Barrington, who can move the ball so well, both Ali and Natalie really battled the entire game as we did our best to manage things in the back," he said.
Starting lineups
Hersey (4-5-1)
G- Alli Paulsen
D- Cassie Caruso
D- Jane Stefaniak
D- Natalie Suto
D- Ali Beck
M- Becca Caliendo
M- Norah Viers
M- Avery Williams
M- Avery Larson
M- Maddy Kim
F- Faith Sena
Barrington (4-4-2)
G- Coast Liapis
D- Gracie Stagnito
D- Ella VanNess
D- Kate McGreevy
D- Ellie Sanchez
M- Lara Lubinsky
M- Nicole Gwiasda
M- Meredith McGreevy
M- Jen Devona
F- Riley Raynor
F- Kate Lubinsky
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match:
Riley Raynor, jr., F, Barrington
Referee
Mariusz Folta
Scoring summary
First half
Barrington: R. Raynor (L. Lubinsky) 4'
Barrington: R. Raynor (Stagnito) 5''
Barrington: Devona (L. Lubinsky) 20'
Second half
No scoring