Late PK inches
Hersey past Rolling Meadows
Huskies take Cardinal Cup after Sieg connects for 1-0 win
By Mike Garofola
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – Charlie Sieg created and converted his spot-kick late in the second half to lead Hersey past visiting Rolling Meadows on Tuesday afternoon at Roland Goins Stadium.
Sieg did a bunch of things for the Huskies. He: turned one point into three in their home opener; helped secure a second-consecutive 1-0 Mid-Suburban League East Division victory; brought home Hersey’s first ownership of the Cardinal Cup.
Prospect won the traveling trophy competition in its first year last fall.
"It's great to get to early season wins over two great teams like Prospect, and Rolling Meadows,” Seig said as he smiled. “It's even better to win the Cardinal Cup in our home opener."
He spoke long after a big student section came down out of the stands to help lift up the Cup.
"Our fans really inspired us today," said Sieg, who bagged the game-winner in the 74th minute. “We really needed it in this hard-fought game against one of our big rivals.”
"(It) definitely wasn't pretty,” said Hersey manager Mike Rusniak. “Even our no. 1 fan (his wife) said so. But I think this game showed that in these early-season games, teams are still working on fine-tuning lineups and tactics. I know Brett (Olson, Mustangs manager) is going through it just as we are.
“Both teams really played hard, and we feel fortunate to come out of it with three points."
"The game went exactly as we thought it would," began Olson. "Our games against them have been like this for the last few years, 1-0, 2-1. Unfortunately, we've been on the short end of things.
"At the same time, I never have to question the effort against Mike's club. So many from both teams play club together, so there's always that extra little motivation to beat the other team."
Things started brightly enough for the visiting Mustangs (2-2-0, 1-1-0). After a foul just at the top of box gave the visitors a free kick, Olson and his lads thought Joe Salemi had steered in the opener with a lovely right-footed touch.
Referee Steve Konstantinovic thought otherwise.
"We had the early advantage, but the referee said we didn't ask for 10 yards," said a disappointed Olson, who argued his case but was unable to sway the decision. “That was a tough one to swallow, as was the play when they were given a PK.”
Salemi’s called-back goal started a nonstop up-and-down quarter hour of play from both sides. Each got close while taking turns putting the other under pressure.
Hersey had: sophomore Ray Reyes go wide; Jack Farrell get blocked on an in-close effort; Michael Choi dazzle with technical wizardry up the left side that caused the Mustangs to miss on their attempts to tackle the Huskies senior.
Not to be undone, the Mustangs trio of forwards drew notice. Sophomore Alex Kociubinski and seniors Paco Ramirez and Matt Schuhmacher made life miserable for the home side with their darting runs and quick play.
On one occasion against the run of play, Schuhmacher was able to get in behind the defense after collecting a nice ball from Kociubinski. But Hersey defender Charlie Shiffman reacted with urgency and made a quality tackle.
"Shiffman is always solid and really plays such an important role, not only along the back but as a terrific leader," said Rusniak.
Both Shiffman, from his spot as the Huskies central defender, and teammate Danny Duray, who plays at the six, were air-ball warriors in their own end and ensured long balls sent over the top would not connect with a Rolling Meadows player.
"That's what Charlie is supposed to do (in the air). It's such an important part of the game and the way we play," offered Duray, who shared Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honors with Sieg.
"Rolling Meadows gave us some trouble, and at times, had a lot of the play,” he continued, but I thought we defended well when we needed to, and didn't allow many quality chances at Adrian (Smakowski) our keeper."
The Hersey faithful cheered when Choi beat two of his marks to get endline before finding the back of the net in the 14th minute, but a hand ball dashed the hopes of an early lead for the home side.
Rolling Meadows’ Ramirez roared up the left side with speed before playing a lovely all across to Kociubinski just inside the box, but the sophomore went wide in the 23rd minute.
Mustangs keeper, sophomore Marceli Okonski, who took over for 2021 Chicagoland Soccer All-Stater Ramon Orozco, recognized trouble quickly, and came off his line with authority and confidence to stop Alex Ganekov, who was sent through by Reyes.
"Marceli was behind a great keeper last year, and could have likely started for a number of teams despite being just a freshman,” said Olson. “We like him so much, and he'll show he's an all-state keeper sooner than later."
The Mustangs had the majority of the play during the last quarter hour of the half. They possessed, had first and second ball success, and completed 11 passes in the final 10 minutes compared to three for the Huskies.
"We just could not generate any quality chances on their keeper," said Joe Salemi.
Just after the intermission, Salemi got things going when he put Kociubinski in deep. But when the sophomore should have put one on frame, he instead played to Ramirez, who was too far into his run to collect the ball properly.
Minutes later, a nicely played short corner by the visitors ended with Kalvan Lagunas driving his effort towards an open spot in the net, only to see Smakowski extend far to his right before turning the 48th-minute chance away.
Hersey answered moments later when freshman Kristian Kopacz turned and sent his 30-yard attempt onto the roof.
"Kopacz is showing he can play at a high level as a freshman. With each game experience, he becomes more confident with his abilities; he's very good when the ball is on his foot," said Rusniak.
"Choi was excellent as well, unfortunately for him he cramped up late in the game and was unable to return. We really missed his skill and creativity."
The Rolling Meadows attack, as it did from time-to-time on the day, came alive just after the hour and made its mark on the proceedings by going close on three occasions.
A well-played early ball from deep in its own end by Lagunas ended with Oscar Chlopek hitting his left-footer just wide. That was followed by Ramirez hitting the outside netting when Salemi delivered yet another defense-stretching pass.
The pair would team up once more when the crafty Salemi dispossessed a Huskies player and played quickly to Ramirez in the middle of his diagonal run. The senior missed on his chance by firing into the outside netting as well.
"We have plenty of guys that are capable of putting the ball into the back of the net, but we just are not connecting with each, especially in the final third," said Olson.
"We're either making the wrong runs, or hitting the wrong ball off of what the defense is giving us. To be honest, this is something that I kind of expected with just four games under our belt from a group that has not really played together as a unit prior to the season.”
The defining moment in this contest came six minutes from time when Sieg sent the ball into the box from the far-left side.
When the ball hit a Mustangs player, most of the Huskies nearby raised their arms shouting for a penalty. When the referee agreed, Sieg could be found at the spot.
"To tell you the truth, I couldn't tell you who hit the ball with his hand,” stated Seig. “I know I had a chance to put us ahead in a really crazy game."
"I wish the referee could have seen the giant red circle on the chest of Mathew Winkelman, because that's where the ball hit him, not in the hand," said Olson.
Sieg calmly stepped up and hammered his spot-kick past Okonski, who had no chance.
Duray nearly doubled the Huskies advantage just afterward when he skimmed the bar with a ferocious header off a Oleh Tymovfi pass.
"Tough loss for us to be sure, but we played hard, had our chances, and a lot of our young guys gained valuable experience in a real hard-fought MSL game," said a proud Salemi.
"Our chance in the division isn't over with this loss. It's a long season, and we'll get better each time out."
Olson agreed with his co-captain.
"I was really happy with how our backline played. (Hersey) comes after you for 80 minutes. Even with an inexperienced backline, we did well," said Olson.
"Winkelman, and Chlopek were strong, and our rotation on the outside with: Alex Berg, Antonio Caldera, Jeremy Leigh, and Kalvan Lagunas were really solid. Today's effort will certainly give us a lot of confidence moving forward.”
Next up for Olsons' club is a weekend tournament at Hampshire that the Mustangs won a year ago.
Hersey’s last match of the week is a road affair at Palatine on Thursday.
"With each game, we are making positive strides to play as a cohesive unit,” said Rusniak. “With conference play beginning to ramp up, it will be very important for us to trust in one another and to play at our full potential.
"Roles are nearly established, and the players have been working very hard at training to improve in areas we know require extra attention.”
The Huskies youngsters are maturing with game action.
"Our younger players would call during the offseason to get together to train,” said Sieg. “That was good news to all of us returning players, knowing how hard they wanted to work before the season began"
"Our veteran players, and leaders on this team have been tremendous in helping our younger players prepare,” added Rusniak. “They took ownership in organizing training sessions on their own and have helped the new guys become more comfortable and ready for the fall season."
Starting lineups
Rolling Meadows (4-3-3)
G- Marceli Okonski
D- Kalvin Lagunas
D- Alex Chlopek
D- Mathew Winkelman
D- Alex Berg
MF- Brian Diaz
MF- Joe Salem
MF- Oscar Chlopek
F- Matt Schuhmacher
F- Paco Ramirez
F- Alex Kociubinski
Hersey (4-5-1)
G- Adrian Smakowski
D- Nate Marbry
D- Charlie Shiffman
D- Alex Masztak
D- Joey Casey
MF- Danny Duray
MF- Michael Choi
MF- Oleh Tymovfi
MF- Kristian Kopacz
MF- Jack Farrell
F- Ray Reyes
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match:
Danny Duran, jr., MF, Hersey;
Charlie Sieg, sr., MF, Hersey
Referee: Steve Konstantinovic
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Hersey: Sieg (PK), 74'
Hersey past Rolling Meadows
Huskies take Cardinal Cup after Sieg connects for 1-0 win
By Mike Garofola
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – Charlie Sieg created and converted his spot-kick late in the second half to lead Hersey past visiting Rolling Meadows on Tuesday afternoon at Roland Goins Stadium.
Sieg did a bunch of things for the Huskies. He: turned one point into three in their home opener; helped secure a second-consecutive 1-0 Mid-Suburban League East Division victory; brought home Hersey’s first ownership of the Cardinal Cup.
Prospect won the traveling trophy competition in its first year last fall.
"It's great to get to early season wins over two great teams like Prospect, and Rolling Meadows,” Seig said as he smiled. “It's even better to win the Cardinal Cup in our home opener."
He spoke long after a big student section came down out of the stands to help lift up the Cup.
"Our fans really inspired us today," said Sieg, who bagged the game-winner in the 74th minute. “We really needed it in this hard-fought game against one of our big rivals.”
"(It) definitely wasn't pretty,” said Hersey manager Mike Rusniak. “Even our no. 1 fan (his wife) said so. But I think this game showed that in these early-season games, teams are still working on fine-tuning lineups and tactics. I know Brett (Olson, Mustangs manager) is going through it just as we are.
“Both teams really played hard, and we feel fortunate to come out of it with three points."
"The game went exactly as we thought it would," began Olson. "Our games against them have been like this for the last few years, 1-0, 2-1. Unfortunately, we've been on the short end of things.
"At the same time, I never have to question the effort against Mike's club. So many from both teams play club together, so there's always that extra little motivation to beat the other team."
Things started brightly enough for the visiting Mustangs (2-2-0, 1-1-0). After a foul just at the top of box gave the visitors a free kick, Olson and his lads thought Joe Salemi had steered in the opener with a lovely right-footed touch.
Referee Steve Konstantinovic thought otherwise.
"We had the early advantage, but the referee said we didn't ask for 10 yards," said a disappointed Olson, who argued his case but was unable to sway the decision. “That was a tough one to swallow, as was the play when they were given a PK.”
Salemi’s called-back goal started a nonstop up-and-down quarter hour of play from both sides. Each got close while taking turns putting the other under pressure.
Hersey had: sophomore Ray Reyes go wide; Jack Farrell get blocked on an in-close effort; Michael Choi dazzle with technical wizardry up the left side that caused the Mustangs to miss on their attempts to tackle the Huskies senior.
Not to be undone, the Mustangs trio of forwards drew notice. Sophomore Alex Kociubinski and seniors Paco Ramirez and Matt Schuhmacher made life miserable for the home side with their darting runs and quick play.
On one occasion against the run of play, Schuhmacher was able to get in behind the defense after collecting a nice ball from Kociubinski. But Hersey defender Charlie Shiffman reacted with urgency and made a quality tackle.
"Shiffman is always solid and really plays such an important role, not only along the back but as a terrific leader," said Rusniak.
Both Shiffman, from his spot as the Huskies central defender, and teammate Danny Duray, who plays at the six, were air-ball warriors in their own end and ensured long balls sent over the top would not connect with a Rolling Meadows player.
"That's what Charlie is supposed to do (in the air). It's such an important part of the game and the way we play," offered Duray, who shared Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honors with Sieg.
"Rolling Meadows gave us some trouble, and at times, had a lot of the play,” he continued, but I thought we defended well when we needed to, and didn't allow many quality chances at Adrian (Smakowski) our keeper."
The Hersey faithful cheered when Choi beat two of his marks to get endline before finding the back of the net in the 14th minute, but a hand ball dashed the hopes of an early lead for the home side.
Rolling Meadows’ Ramirez roared up the left side with speed before playing a lovely all across to Kociubinski just inside the box, but the sophomore went wide in the 23rd minute.
Mustangs keeper, sophomore Marceli Okonski, who took over for 2021 Chicagoland Soccer All-Stater Ramon Orozco, recognized trouble quickly, and came off his line with authority and confidence to stop Alex Ganekov, who was sent through by Reyes.
"Marceli was behind a great keeper last year, and could have likely started for a number of teams despite being just a freshman,” said Olson. “We like him so much, and he'll show he's an all-state keeper sooner than later."
The Mustangs had the majority of the play during the last quarter hour of the half. They possessed, had first and second ball success, and completed 11 passes in the final 10 minutes compared to three for the Huskies.
"We just could not generate any quality chances on their keeper," said Joe Salemi.
Just after the intermission, Salemi got things going when he put Kociubinski in deep. But when the sophomore should have put one on frame, he instead played to Ramirez, who was too far into his run to collect the ball properly.
Minutes later, a nicely played short corner by the visitors ended with Kalvan Lagunas driving his effort towards an open spot in the net, only to see Smakowski extend far to his right before turning the 48th-minute chance away.
Hersey answered moments later when freshman Kristian Kopacz turned and sent his 30-yard attempt onto the roof.
"Kopacz is showing he can play at a high level as a freshman. With each game experience, he becomes more confident with his abilities; he's very good when the ball is on his foot," said Rusniak.
"Choi was excellent as well, unfortunately for him he cramped up late in the game and was unable to return. We really missed his skill and creativity."
The Rolling Meadows attack, as it did from time-to-time on the day, came alive just after the hour and made its mark on the proceedings by going close on three occasions.
A well-played early ball from deep in its own end by Lagunas ended with Oscar Chlopek hitting his left-footer just wide. That was followed by Ramirez hitting the outside netting when Salemi delivered yet another defense-stretching pass.
The pair would team up once more when the crafty Salemi dispossessed a Huskies player and played quickly to Ramirez in the middle of his diagonal run. The senior missed on his chance by firing into the outside netting as well.
"We have plenty of guys that are capable of putting the ball into the back of the net, but we just are not connecting with each, especially in the final third," said Olson.
"We're either making the wrong runs, or hitting the wrong ball off of what the defense is giving us. To be honest, this is something that I kind of expected with just four games under our belt from a group that has not really played together as a unit prior to the season.”
The defining moment in this contest came six minutes from time when Sieg sent the ball into the box from the far-left side.
When the ball hit a Mustangs player, most of the Huskies nearby raised their arms shouting for a penalty. When the referee agreed, Sieg could be found at the spot.
"To tell you the truth, I couldn't tell you who hit the ball with his hand,” stated Seig. “I know I had a chance to put us ahead in a really crazy game."
"I wish the referee could have seen the giant red circle on the chest of Mathew Winkelman, because that's where the ball hit him, not in the hand," said Olson.
Sieg calmly stepped up and hammered his spot-kick past Okonski, who had no chance.
Duray nearly doubled the Huskies advantage just afterward when he skimmed the bar with a ferocious header off a Oleh Tymovfi pass.
"Tough loss for us to be sure, but we played hard, had our chances, and a lot of our young guys gained valuable experience in a real hard-fought MSL game," said a proud Salemi.
"Our chance in the division isn't over with this loss. It's a long season, and we'll get better each time out."
Olson agreed with his co-captain.
"I was really happy with how our backline played. (Hersey) comes after you for 80 minutes. Even with an inexperienced backline, we did well," said Olson.
"Winkelman, and Chlopek were strong, and our rotation on the outside with: Alex Berg, Antonio Caldera, Jeremy Leigh, and Kalvan Lagunas were really solid. Today's effort will certainly give us a lot of confidence moving forward.”
Next up for Olsons' club is a weekend tournament at Hampshire that the Mustangs won a year ago.
Hersey’s last match of the week is a road affair at Palatine on Thursday.
"With each game, we are making positive strides to play as a cohesive unit,” said Rusniak. “With conference play beginning to ramp up, it will be very important for us to trust in one another and to play at our full potential.
"Roles are nearly established, and the players have been working very hard at training to improve in areas we know require extra attention.”
The Huskies youngsters are maturing with game action.
"Our younger players would call during the offseason to get together to train,” said Sieg. “That was good news to all of us returning players, knowing how hard they wanted to work before the season began"
"Our veteran players, and leaders on this team have been tremendous in helping our younger players prepare,” added Rusniak. “They took ownership in organizing training sessions on their own and have helped the new guys become more comfortable and ready for the fall season."
Starting lineups
Rolling Meadows (4-3-3)
G- Marceli Okonski
D- Kalvin Lagunas
D- Alex Chlopek
D- Mathew Winkelman
D- Alex Berg
MF- Brian Diaz
MF- Joe Salem
MF- Oscar Chlopek
F- Matt Schuhmacher
F- Paco Ramirez
F- Alex Kociubinski
Hersey (4-5-1)
G- Adrian Smakowski
D- Nate Marbry
D- Charlie Shiffman
D- Alex Masztak
D- Joey Casey
MF- Danny Duray
MF- Michael Choi
MF- Oleh Tymovfi
MF- Kristian Kopacz
MF- Jack Farrell
F- Ray Reyes
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match:
Danny Duran, jr., MF, Hersey;
Charlie Sieg, sr., MF, Hersey
Referee: Steve Konstantinovic
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Hersey: Sieg (PK), 74'