Notebook: Mid-Suburban
League Soccer Bowl
By Mike Garofola
Buffalo Grove manager Darren Llewellyn turned in a remarkable job with his 2021 club, one that features a quartet of freshmen in its first 11, as well as several new faces after the Bison lost all of its backline, its keeper and three midfielders to graduation in 2020.
The work led to the Bison's spot as East Division champions and host of the 44th annual Soccer Bowl at 7 p.m. Thursday.
"Despite the youth of this team, they have not broken once in those tough games we played," said Llewellyn. "They listen, work hard, do the best they can, and have great attitudes."
Things took a turn for the worst for Barrington when they lost (three) 1-0 games in the middle of the season. That allowed both Fremd and Conant to jump back into the West Division race.
"The guys never panicked during that rough time," said manager Scott Steib. "(We) lost to Rolling Meadows in the closing moments, then BG in overtime which made us look at the manner in which we were getting into the attacking third. We made some adjustments, and that's been a big deal for us since then."
History lessons
This is the ninth appearance in this storied championship match for the Broncos. The last came in 2017 when Barrington defeat Buffalo Grove in a shootout after a 0-0 tie.
It marked the third time Steib's club lifted the championship trophy in program history after back-to-back wins in 2003 and 2004.
Buffalo Grove will play for the trophy for the eighth time. It took 30 years after securing its first MSL title to add another piece of hardware to its collection.
Led by then-junior Brian McBride, who would go on to star at St. Louis University, Fulham in the EPL, the Columbus Crew of the MLS and the U.S. National Team, the Bison defeated Fremd 2-0 in 1988 and went on to win the school's only state title.
Players to watch
Barrington: seniors Nico Argyros (MF), Jo Cidulka (D), Nate Hausser (D), Junior Hernandez (MF-F), Daniel Hesselbein (GK), Nate Horn (D), Aiden Lew (MF) and junior Ryan Chang (D).
Buffalo Grove: seniors, Alexis Escobar (F), Brian Perez (F-MF); juniors Shant Demirjian (D), Anthony Limber (D), Charlie Mancilla (GK) sophomore Mario Torres (MF); freshmen Danny Alfaro (D), Jorge Hernandez (MF), Aldo Torres (MF).
A look at Barrington
The Broncos were the favorites coming into the season, thanks in part to a significant return of players from the 2019 squad, including most of its backline, an all-star keeper in Daniel Hesselbein, and the creative three-year veteran, Niko Argyros, who is the engine in the Broncos attack.
After the Broncos scored just nine goals in their first eight games, Argyros fueled an offensive explosion with eight of the next 13 scored.
Argyros bagged three in the Broncos division-clinching 4-0 victory over Elk Grove on Tuesday evening, all of which came in a dominating first half hour of action.
"I am very happy for this group of players to earn the MSL West crown," began Steib. "They are a great group of players and young men, and it's been awesome to work with them.
"We're excited about being in the final, but we're also glad that this group was able to have a season (after) things were postponed last fall."
"Barrington always has a solid group of players, who have trained well, are solid technically and understand the game," said Llewellyn.
"Scott is an amazing coach, a good person, a guy who loves to compete, so it's always fun to play them."
A look at Buffalo Grove
Llewellyn likewise is proud of his lads, who found a way to win a trio of games in overtime, all the while with four freshmen and two juniors making up his back six.
"I am as confident in the young guys we have, as I've been with upperclassmen during all my years coaching," said Llewellyn.
"Danny (Alfaro) as a freshmen has made a real difference for us along the back as our central defender, while Charlie Mantilla has been just amazing."
Mancilla took over because of a real need for someone to step in between the sticks. He has flashed elite skill in shot-stopping and has taken total command of his box with great reactions and a cool, calm demeanor.
However, none of the Bison success would come without the play of Brian Perez, who has risen up to become one of the best at his position in the area.
"Having Brian on this team has made things a lot easier for everyone," said Llewellyn. "He can score, distribute, take people on and be as dangerous as anyone around."
Perez scored both goals Tuesday in the 2-1 victory over Rolling Meadows that clinched the division crown. The first on a free kick, and the late game-winner followed when he took on a trio of players on before an exquisite finish.
Perez scored game-winners against Palatine and Fremd as well.
"Buffalo Grove was the better team the first time we met," said Steib. "We kept it close but had a difficult time dealing with their talent and high work-rate.
"They are well coached, skillful and always organized. We'll need to play an excellent game in both halves in order to give ourselves a chance to stay with them."
League Soccer Bowl
By Mike Garofola
Buffalo Grove manager Darren Llewellyn turned in a remarkable job with his 2021 club, one that features a quartet of freshmen in its first 11, as well as several new faces after the Bison lost all of its backline, its keeper and three midfielders to graduation in 2020.
The work led to the Bison's spot as East Division champions and host of the 44th annual Soccer Bowl at 7 p.m. Thursday.
"Despite the youth of this team, they have not broken once in those tough games we played," said Llewellyn. "They listen, work hard, do the best they can, and have great attitudes."
Things took a turn for the worst for Barrington when they lost (three) 1-0 games in the middle of the season. That allowed both Fremd and Conant to jump back into the West Division race.
"The guys never panicked during that rough time," said manager Scott Steib. "(We) lost to Rolling Meadows in the closing moments, then BG in overtime which made us look at the manner in which we were getting into the attacking third. We made some adjustments, and that's been a big deal for us since then."
History lessons
This is the ninth appearance in this storied championship match for the Broncos. The last came in 2017 when Barrington defeat Buffalo Grove in a shootout after a 0-0 tie.
It marked the third time Steib's club lifted the championship trophy in program history after back-to-back wins in 2003 and 2004.
Buffalo Grove will play for the trophy for the eighth time. It took 30 years after securing its first MSL title to add another piece of hardware to its collection.
Led by then-junior Brian McBride, who would go on to star at St. Louis University, Fulham in the EPL, the Columbus Crew of the MLS and the U.S. National Team, the Bison defeated Fremd 2-0 in 1988 and went on to win the school's only state title.
Players to watch
Barrington: seniors Nico Argyros (MF), Jo Cidulka (D), Nate Hausser (D), Junior Hernandez (MF-F), Daniel Hesselbein (GK), Nate Horn (D), Aiden Lew (MF) and junior Ryan Chang (D).
Buffalo Grove: seniors, Alexis Escobar (F), Brian Perez (F-MF); juniors Shant Demirjian (D), Anthony Limber (D), Charlie Mancilla (GK) sophomore Mario Torres (MF); freshmen Danny Alfaro (D), Jorge Hernandez (MF), Aldo Torres (MF).
A look at Barrington
The Broncos were the favorites coming into the season, thanks in part to a significant return of players from the 2019 squad, including most of its backline, an all-star keeper in Daniel Hesselbein, and the creative three-year veteran, Niko Argyros, who is the engine in the Broncos attack.
After the Broncos scored just nine goals in their first eight games, Argyros fueled an offensive explosion with eight of the next 13 scored.
Argyros bagged three in the Broncos division-clinching 4-0 victory over Elk Grove on Tuesday evening, all of which came in a dominating first half hour of action.
"I am very happy for this group of players to earn the MSL West crown," began Steib. "They are a great group of players and young men, and it's been awesome to work with them.
"We're excited about being in the final, but we're also glad that this group was able to have a season (after) things were postponed last fall."
"Barrington always has a solid group of players, who have trained well, are solid technically and understand the game," said Llewellyn.
"Scott is an amazing coach, a good person, a guy who loves to compete, so it's always fun to play them."
A look at Buffalo Grove
Llewellyn likewise is proud of his lads, who found a way to win a trio of games in overtime, all the while with four freshmen and two juniors making up his back six.
"I am as confident in the young guys we have, as I've been with upperclassmen during all my years coaching," said Llewellyn.
"Danny (Alfaro) as a freshmen has made a real difference for us along the back as our central defender, while Charlie Mantilla has been just amazing."
Mancilla took over because of a real need for someone to step in between the sticks. He has flashed elite skill in shot-stopping and has taken total command of his box with great reactions and a cool, calm demeanor.
However, none of the Bison success would come without the play of Brian Perez, who has risen up to become one of the best at his position in the area.
"Having Brian on this team has made things a lot easier for everyone," said Llewellyn. "He can score, distribute, take people on and be as dangerous as anyone around."
Perez scored both goals Tuesday in the 2-1 victory over Rolling Meadows that clinched the division crown. The first on a free kick, and the late game-winner followed when he took on a trio of players on before an exquisite finish.
Perez scored game-winners against Palatine and Fremd as well.
"Buffalo Grove was the better team the first time we met," said Steib. "We kept it close but had a difficult time dealing with their talent and high work-rate.
"They are well coached, skillful and always organized. We'll need to play an excellent game in both halves in order to give ourselves a chance to stay with them."