Fremd's Soccer Bowl win
over Hersey makes history
Vikings take record ninth title with 3-0 win
By Mike Garofola
PALATINE -- There are stages that make victory all the more memorable.
Hale Hildebrandt Field in Palatine is one of them.
In front of a crowd throwing its full support behind its Fremd club that had only lost one home match on the season, the Vikings offered a demonstration of exceptional form for 20 minutes to come through a difficult test and defeat Hersey for their ninth Mid-Suburban League Soccer Bowl title.
An absolutely remarkable opener from Ryan Sapiente, followed by a stunning free kick by Leo Akashi helped Fremd settle the 45th-annual event Friday night with a 3-0 victory.
The win gave the Vikings one more league crown than cross-town rival Palatine.
"I was not aware of us having a chance to have the most (Soccer Bowl) titles in MSL history, but I am happy for the guys to be a part of history. It's a great thing for the program here at Fremd as well," said Vikings manager Steve Keller, who now has four league championship trophies on his resume (2010, 2014, 2019, 2021) from seven appearances.
"It's great to be on the team, to be a part of history in this conference," said Sapiente, who for his overall efforts on a gorgeous night for a championship match earned the well-deserved nod as the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match.
Teammate Caden Statz concurred.
"(Winning) the 'Cup' trophy was one of our goals at the start of the season. To become the team with the most conference championships, and having one more than our cross-town rivals over at Palatine makes it even better," he said with a wry smile.
Sapiente, as well as teammate Eli Schoffstall are the lone holdovers from the squad that overwhelmed Wheeling 7-1 in the 2019 Soccer Bowl.
The Vikings' last three trips to this longtime event has included all four Schoffstall brothers. In 2014 when Zach and Luke were key figures on the team, Fremd won the Soccer Bowl 1-0 against Wheeling on Luke's goal and went on to bring home the fourth place trophy in Class 3A.
Jake and Eli played in the Vikings' 2-0 loss to Buffalo Grove in 2018 but brought back the cup one year later.
Jake now plays at Bradley University, while Luke and Zach both played at Carthage College in Kenosha.
Hersey (9-7-1) arrived at the game for the ninth time in program history and first since 2008, when they concluded a run of three-consecutive titles.
The Huskies began this edition organized and working as an enthusiastic unit.
"More energy from Hersey than us (with) their pressure, which is something we pride ourselves on," said Keller. “Took us out of our comfort level, credit (Hersey manager) Mike (Rusniak) and his guys for coming out and playing hard right from the start.”
The early part of the Huskies' game plan clearly worked.
"I appreciate Steve's comments.” Rusniak said. “It means a lot to me. Because we know whenever you play one of his teams, they're going to bring intense pressure on the ball, and a very high work-rate that most of us can never match."
The fighting spirit of the MSL East Division champions was on full display in a contest that was fought between the 18s for most of the first period.
Beck Smolak's long ball out of the back to the back post was meant for Eli Schoffstall, but Hersey keeper Joe Lens won the 50/50 challenge.
Leo Akashi whipped his dangerous effort just wide in the eighth minute before Will Mayer was allowed to tee-up a 22-yard attempt that forced Lens to save.
In between, the Huskies Charlie Shiffman latched onto a corner from Charlie Seig but had his back-post effort blocked by Joey Rodino and then parried out of the area.
Shiffman, and his backline mates Matt Carlson, Alex Masztak and Andrew Hamilton, formed a sturdy wall of defense in front of Lens throughout the first half to give the Huskies 4-5-1 formation a defensive posture that proved nearly impossible for the Vikings (15-2-1) to pry open in the first 40 minutes.
"The first time we played we allowed two easy goals," said Hamilton, who is one of four who proudly wear the captain’s armband for his club.
“But we learned a lot from the that game. We knew it was important for us to pressure the ball all over, especially in our own end, win the first and second balls, and just stay committed to defending as a team (then) look to counter up top with (Adrian) Szumski.”
The visitors aimed for a low-scoring match.
"We didn't want to get into an offensive battle with Fremd, because it would be impossible to stay with a team that has so much attacking talent and team speed," said Rusniak, whose club followed the script to a tee in the first half.
“We knew we had to do all that we could to keep them out of our net, support each other defensively and make them work for everything they got.”
The constant pressure and double-teaming of the ball by the Huskies made Fremd’s pass completion rate plummet.
"(We) made it easier for Hersey to defend because of the way we continued to attack,” said Keller. “When quick passes and switching the field have helped break them open, instead we held onto the ball with far too many touches."
Rusniak received fine work from those he brought on throughout the first half. The fresh legs carried out the tactical plans both he and his assistant Joe Russo assembled. The Huskies also got timely tackling from Jack Farrell and Simon Hemenway in the middle of the park.
Alex Ganekov, who leads Hersey with seven goals but has been slowed by an injury of late, came on to provide pace and purpose. Michael Choi and Danny Duray turned in solid work during their shifts.
There were few instances for either keeper to be concerned about in the first half -- the Huskies had one shot on frame and Fremd had two.
Sapiente tricked his way in close in the 38th minute before a foul initiated a free kick from the senior. The serve into the box was sent away, but the ball spilled to Kenan Mesic, who forced one of Lens’ saves.
"We just have not been as sharp in our attack," Statz said. “Or for that matter, our overall play since those back-to-back wins over Marquette up in Milwaukee, then Naperville North the next day and St. Charles East one week later.”
"I kind of thought our overtime loss to Barrington last Saturday might have been the wake-up call all of us needed for this game,” added Sapiente. “But our energy wasn't where it needed to be when we came out tonight.
“I am hoping the way we broke out in the second half is a sign we're ready to get back to where we were recently."
Hersey was satisfied at the break.
"I really feel like we had them on their heels in the first half," said Hamilton. “Even though we didn't test their keeper with anything dangerous, I know we did a great job of frustrating their play and attack.”
When the referees' whistle began second half play, Fremd watched its keeper Robby Remian elevate to punch a well-aimed ball into the box from Duray. Afterward, Keller and his staff implored their trio of forwards to get higher and closer to the Huskies backline.
But it was midfielder Sapiente who began to make an impact on this contest.
Making something out of what appeared to be nothing more than a possible attempt on frame, Sapiente came up the left side and unloaded a left-footed, 25-yard guided missile that caught Lens, and even his own teammates, by surprise. The blast nestled into the far inside corner of the net for a 1-0 lead in the 51st minute.
"Demetri (Vlahos) was yelling 'ball, ball, ball,' but to be honest, I wasn’t thinking about giving him the ball. I was thinking take a shot all the way," smiled Sapiente, whose YouTube-worthy strike proved to be the eventual game-winner.
Hersey now faced an uphill climb.
"All year long I've been impressed with the way we respond to chasing a goal as we have,” said Rusniak. “Nobody was hanging their head after the goal, but I have to tell you, that was just an unbelievable goal no. 8 (Sapiente) hit. It really seemed to get them going afterward."
During the next 20 minutes, the Vikings proceeded to take their opponents slowly apart with expertise and deadly finishing.
Quick switches and nicely played one-two combinations, just the way Keller wanted to have his men play, forced Lens into action in the 56th minute after Akashi and Vlahos set Rodino free.
A long free kick from the midline by Sapiente ended with another save by Lens. After a Huskies corner was sent away by Adrian Blonski, Lens was called upon again, this time to punch a threatening ball to the back post by Akashi.
When Fremd was not as clean as it had been all throughout the match, the visitors put a scare into their faithful when a free kick from Duray was allowed to fall freely into the box before Remian came off his line to gather it.
Moments later, the Vikings should have doubled their lead when Schoffstall burst into the box, ran onto a rebound off Lens and appeared to heel-flick an attempt under the Huskies keeper in the 67th minute.
The center official went to the AR 1 for a long discussion, which ended with the goal erased. The reason given was that Schoffstall had touched the ball with his hand.
The sequence ended with Keller booked with a yellow card. While deserved because of his stern retort to the official, it appeared his protest was justified. The ball never seemed to get close to the hand of Schoffstall, and if it did it did not have any effect of the ball ending up in the net.
Tossed a brief lifeline, Hersey’s best chance of the half fell to Szumski. But his curling attempt moments later was easily saved by Remian.
His counterpart didn’t a chance two minutes later when Akashi matched the brilliance of the Sapiente strike when he bent his 20-yard free kick around the Huskies wall and into the upper right corner of the net.
"Leo has a real nose for the goal. He can do that almost all of the time when given a chance," said an impressed Statz.
With Fremd now on its collective front foot, it took less than 60 seconds for them to put a dagger in the hearts of the Huskies in the 71st minute.
"(Joey) Rodino made a great run up the right, and just burst free to the end line to create this depth of space for himself,” said Statz. “He fired in a great shot off the keeper, and I was there for the second ball to put it in."
The Vikings then closed out their championship win.
The game had it all for the Fremd contingent: a big crowd; terrific atmosphere and weather; two extraordinary goals; and the historic lifting of the championship trophy by the Vikings.
"It was a great night of soccer for the conference, and for both teams, who should be congratulated for getting here," began Keller.
"For us, Sap (Sapiente) gave the best overall effort for 80 minutes. We need everyone from here on out to match that effort or our season is going to end far short of our goal of reaching the state tournament in three weeks.”
Hersey now retools for a tough playoff road.
"We played Fremd really well for 55 minutes and showed we can play a great team like them,” said Hamiton. "If we beat Prospect on Tuesday in our regional opener, we’ll … advance into the final with Fremd," said Hamilton.
That’s the scenario his coach desires.
"We played with a lot of heart, desire, and passion, which is a terrific example of the way these guys have played all season long,” Rusniak said. “We just need to come out ready to play on Tuesday and see what happens against a very good opponent over at Prospect."
There is a revenge factor to the game: the ninth-seeded Knights (11-5-2) beat eight-seed Hersey 2-1 during the conference season.
Top-seeded Fremd opens the playoffs at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Hersey Regional against 16th-seeded league foe Wheeling (3-10-2), which was a 2-0 play-in game winner over Highland Park on Friday night.
Notes; During an extended break at the intermission, when the league continued its longtime tradition of bringing the 2021 all-conference players onto the turf to be recognized, MSL officials also honored Palatine head coach Willie Filian. He is retiring at the end of the school year following a remarkable run of 34 years in charge of both the boys and girls Pirates programs.
Filian has 374 career victories for the boys program, eight MSL titles in 10 Soccer Bowl appearances and two state trophies, including first place in the fall of 1994. He swept the state ties in the ‘94-’95 school year with the girls title in the spring. The MSL presented a plaque to Filian to commemorate his contributions to the sport.
Starting lineups
Hersey (4-5-1)
G: Joe Lens
D: Matt Carlson
D: Charlie Schiffman
D: Alex Masztak
D: Andrew Hamilton
M: Charlie Seig
M: Simon Hemenway
M: Jack Farrell
M: Elliot Suto
M: Reese Stengren
F: Adrian Szumski
Fremd
(4-3-3)
G: Robby Remian
D: Braden Roos
D: Brandon Wozniak
D: Beck Smolak
D: Ryan Sapiente
M: Joey Rodino
M: Demetri Vlahos
M: Caden Statz
F: Leo Akashi
F: Eli Schoffstall
F: Will Mayer
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Ryan Sapiente, sr., D/MF, Fremd
Referee: Brian Norwood
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Fremd: Sapiente (U/A) 51'
Fremd: Akashi (FK) 70'
Fremd: Statz (Akashi, Rodino) 71'
Statistics
Hersey
Shots on frame: 2
Off frame: 2
Fouls: 12
Corners: 1
Offsides: 1
Yellow cards: 0
Red cards: 0
Fremd
Shots of frame: 8
Off frame: 6
Fouls: 11
Corners: 4
Offsides: 1
Yellow cards: 1
Red cards: 0
over Hersey makes history
Vikings take record ninth title with 3-0 win
By Mike Garofola
PALATINE -- There are stages that make victory all the more memorable.
Hale Hildebrandt Field in Palatine is one of them.
In front of a crowd throwing its full support behind its Fremd club that had only lost one home match on the season, the Vikings offered a demonstration of exceptional form for 20 minutes to come through a difficult test and defeat Hersey for their ninth Mid-Suburban League Soccer Bowl title.
An absolutely remarkable opener from Ryan Sapiente, followed by a stunning free kick by Leo Akashi helped Fremd settle the 45th-annual event Friday night with a 3-0 victory.
The win gave the Vikings one more league crown than cross-town rival Palatine.
"I was not aware of us having a chance to have the most (Soccer Bowl) titles in MSL history, but I am happy for the guys to be a part of history. It's a great thing for the program here at Fremd as well," said Vikings manager Steve Keller, who now has four league championship trophies on his resume (2010, 2014, 2019, 2021) from seven appearances.
"It's great to be on the team, to be a part of history in this conference," said Sapiente, who for his overall efforts on a gorgeous night for a championship match earned the well-deserved nod as the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match.
Teammate Caden Statz concurred.
"(Winning) the 'Cup' trophy was one of our goals at the start of the season. To become the team with the most conference championships, and having one more than our cross-town rivals over at Palatine makes it even better," he said with a wry smile.
Sapiente, as well as teammate Eli Schoffstall are the lone holdovers from the squad that overwhelmed Wheeling 7-1 in the 2019 Soccer Bowl.
The Vikings' last three trips to this longtime event has included all four Schoffstall brothers. In 2014 when Zach and Luke were key figures on the team, Fremd won the Soccer Bowl 1-0 against Wheeling on Luke's goal and went on to bring home the fourth place trophy in Class 3A.
Jake and Eli played in the Vikings' 2-0 loss to Buffalo Grove in 2018 but brought back the cup one year later.
Jake now plays at Bradley University, while Luke and Zach both played at Carthage College in Kenosha.
Hersey (9-7-1) arrived at the game for the ninth time in program history and first since 2008, when they concluded a run of three-consecutive titles.
The Huskies began this edition organized and working as an enthusiastic unit.
"More energy from Hersey than us (with) their pressure, which is something we pride ourselves on," said Keller. “Took us out of our comfort level, credit (Hersey manager) Mike (Rusniak) and his guys for coming out and playing hard right from the start.”
The early part of the Huskies' game plan clearly worked.
"I appreciate Steve's comments.” Rusniak said. “It means a lot to me. Because we know whenever you play one of his teams, they're going to bring intense pressure on the ball, and a very high work-rate that most of us can never match."
The fighting spirit of the MSL East Division champions was on full display in a contest that was fought between the 18s for most of the first period.
Beck Smolak's long ball out of the back to the back post was meant for Eli Schoffstall, but Hersey keeper Joe Lens won the 50/50 challenge.
Leo Akashi whipped his dangerous effort just wide in the eighth minute before Will Mayer was allowed to tee-up a 22-yard attempt that forced Lens to save.
In between, the Huskies Charlie Shiffman latched onto a corner from Charlie Seig but had his back-post effort blocked by Joey Rodino and then parried out of the area.
Shiffman, and his backline mates Matt Carlson, Alex Masztak and Andrew Hamilton, formed a sturdy wall of defense in front of Lens throughout the first half to give the Huskies 4-5-1 formation a defensive posture that proved nearly impossible for the Vikings (15-2-1) to pry open in the first 40 minutes.
"The first time we played we allowed two easy goals," said Hamilton, who is one of four who proudly wear the captain’s armband for his club.
“But we learned a lot from the that game. We knew it was important for us to pressure the ball all over, especially in our own end, win the first and second balls, and just stay committed to defending as a team (then) look to counter up top with (Adrian) Szumski.”
The visitors aimed for a low-scoring match.
"We didn't want to get into an offensive battle with Fremd, because it would be impossible to stay with a team that has so much attacking talent and team speed," said Rusniak, whose club followed the script to a tee in the first half.
“We knew we had to do all that we could to keep them out of our net, support each other defensively and make them work for everything they got.”
The constant pressure and double-teaming of the ball by the Huskies made Fremd’s pass completion rate plummet.
"(We) made it easier for Hersey to defend because of the way we continued to attack,” said Keller. “When quick passes and switching the field have helped break them open, instead we held onto the ball with far too many touches."
Rusniak received fine work from those he brought on throughout the first half. The fresh legs carried out the tactical plans both he and his assistant Joe Russo assembled. The Huskies also got timely tackling from Jack Farrell and Simon Hemenway in the middle of the park.
Alex Ganekov, who leads Hersey with seven goals but has been slowed by an injury of late, came on to provide pace and purpose. Michael Choi and Danny Duray turned in solid work during their shifts.
There were few instances for either keeper to be concerned about in the first half -- the Huskies had one shot on frame and Fremd had two.
Sapiente tricked his way in close in the 38th minute before a foul initiated a free kick from the senior. The serve into the box was sent away, but the ball spilled to Kenan Mesic, who forced one of Lens’ saves.
"We just have not been as sharp in our attack," Statz said. “Or for that matter, our overall play since those back-to-back wins over Marquette up in Milwaukee, then Naperville North the next day and St. Charles East one week later.”
"I kind of thought our overtime loss to Barrington last Saturday might have been the wake-up call all of us needed for this game,” added Sapiente. “But our energy wasn't where it needed to be when we came out tonight.
“I am hoping the way we broke out in the second half is a sign we're ready to get back to where we were recently."
Hersey was satisfied at the break.
"I really feel like we had them on their heels in the first half," said Hamilton. “Even though we didn't test their keeper with anything dangerous, I know we did a great job of frustrating their play and attack.”
When the referees' whistle began second half play, Fremd watched its keeper Robby Remian elevate to punch a well-aimed ball into the box from Duray. Afterward, Keller and his staff implored their trio of forwards to get higher and closer to the Huskies backline.
But it was midfielder Sapiente who began to make an impact on this contest.
Making something out of what appeared to be nothing more than a possible attempt on frame, Sapiente came up the left side and unloaded a left-footed, 25-yard guided missile that caught Lens, and even his own teammates, by surprise. The blast nestled into the far inside corner of the net for a 1-0 lead in the 51st minute.
"Demetri (Vlahos) was yelling 'ball, ball, ball,' but to be honest, I wasn’t thinking about giving him the ball. I was thinking take a shot all the way," smiled Sapiente, whose YouTube-worthy strike proved to be the eventual game-winner.
Hersey now faced an uphill climb.
"All year long I've been impressed with the way we respond to chasing a goal as we have,” said Rusniak. “Nobody was hanging their head after the goal, but I have to tell you, that was just an unbelievable goal no. 8 (Sapiente) hit. It really seemed to get them going afterward."
During the next 20 minutes, the Vikings proceeded to take their opponents slowly apart with expertise and deadly finishing.
Quick switches and nicely played one-two combinations, just the way Keller wanted to have his men play, forced Lens into action in the 56th minute after Akashi and Vlahos set Rodino free.
A long free kick from the midline by Sapiente ended with another save by Lens. After a Huskies corner was sent away by Adrian Blonski, Lens was called upon again, this time to punch a threatening ball to the back post by Akashi.
When Fremd was not as clean as it had been all throughout the match, the visitors put a scare into their faithful when a free kick from Duray was allowed to fall freely into the box before Remian came off his line to gather it.
Moments later, the Vikings should have doubled their lead when Schoffstall burst into the box, ran onto a rebound off Lens and appeared to heel-flick an attempt under the Huskies keeper in the 67th minute.
The center official went to the AR 1 for a long discussion, which ended with the goal erased. The reason given was that Schoffstall had touched the ball with his hand.
The sequence ended with Keller booked with a yellow card. While deserved because of his stern retort to the official, it appeared his protest was justified. The ball never seemed to get close to the hand of Schoffstall, and if it did it did not have any effect of the ball ending up in the net.
Tossed a brief lifeline, Hersey’s best chance of the half fell to Szumski. But his curling attempt moments later was easily saved by Remian.
His counterpart didn’t a chance two minutes later when Akashi matched the brilliance of the Sapiente strike when he bent his 20-yard free kick around the Huskies wall and into the upper right corner of the net.
"Leo has a real nose for the goal. He can do that almost all of the time when given a chance," said an impressed Statz.
With Fremd now on its collective front foot, it took less than 60 seconds for them to put a dagger in the hearts of the Huskies in the 71st minute.
"(Joey) Rodino made a great run up the right, and just burst free to the end line to create this depth of space for himself,” said Statz. “He fired in a great shot off the keeper, and I was there for the second ball to put it in."
The Vikings then closed out their championship win.
The game had it all for the Fremd contingent: a big crowd; terrific atmosphere and weather; two extraordinary goals; and the historic lifting of the championship trophy by the Vikings.
"It was a great night of soccer for the conference, and for both teams, who should be congratulated for getting here," began Keller.
"For us, Sap (Sapiente) gave the best overall effort for 80 minutes. We need everyone from here on out to match that effort or our season is going to end far short of our goal of reaching the state tournament in three weeks.”
Hersey now retools for a tough playoff road.
"We played Fremd really well for 55 minutes and showed we can play a great team like them,” said Hamiton. "If we beat Prospect on Tuesday in our regional opener, we’ll … advance into the final with Fremd," said Hamilton.
That’s the scenario his coach desires.
"We played with a lot of heart, desire, and passion, which is a terrific example of the way these guys have played all season long,” Rusniak said. “We just need to come out ready to play on Tuesday and see what happens against a very good opponent over at Prospect."
There is a revenge factor to the game: the ninth-seeded Knights (11-5-2) beat eight-seed Hersey 2-1 during the conference season.
Top-seeded Fremd opens the playoffs at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Hersey Regional against 16th-seeded league foe Wheeling (3-10-2), which was a 2-0 play-in game winner over Highland Park on Friday night.
Notes; During an extended break at the intermission, when the league continued its longtime tradition of bringing the 2021 all-conference players onto the turf to be recognized, MSL officials also honored Palatine head coach Willie Filian. He is retiring at the end of the school year following a remarkable run of 34 years in charge of both the boys and girls Pirates programs.
Filian has 374 career victories for the boys program, eight MSL titles in 10 Soccer Bowl appearances and two state trophies, including first place in the fall of 1994. He swept the state ties in the ‘94-’95 school year with the girls title in the spring. The MSL presented a plaque to Filian to commemorate his contributions to the sport.
Starting lineups
Hersey (4-5-1)
G: Joe Lens
D: Matt Carlson
D: Charlie Schiffman
D: Alex Masztak
D: Andrew Hamilton
M: Charlie Seig
M: Simon Hemenway
M: Jack Farrell
M: Elliot Suto
M: Reese Stengren
F: Adrian Szumski
Fremd
(4-3-3)
G: Robby Remian
D: Braden Roos
D: Brandon Wozniak
D: Beck Smolak
D: Ryan Sapiente
M: Joey Rodino
M: Demetri Vlahos
M: Caden Statz
F: Leo Akashi
F: Eli Schoffstall
F: Will Mayer
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Ryan Sapiente, sr., D/MF, Fremd
Referee: Brian Norwood
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Fremd: Sapiente (U/A) 51'
Fremd: Akashi (FK) 70'
Fremd: Statz (Akashi, Rodino) 71'
Statistics
Hersey
Shots on frame: 2
Off frame: 2
Fouls: 12
Corners: 1
Offsides: 1
Yellow cards: 0
Red cards: 0
Fremd
Shots of frame: 8
Off frame: 6
Fouls: 11
Corners: 4
Offsides: 1
Yellow cards: 1
Red cards: 0