Barrington, Buffalo Grove
brace for MLS collision
Something has to give when prolific Fillies face solid Bison
By Dave Owen
Barrington and Buffalo Grove have been two longtime forces in north suburban IHSA girls soccer.
Two years after the Fillies and Bison met in the 2013 Class 3A third-place game (won by Barrington 2-0), the traditional powers renew acquaintances at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in Buffalo Grove.
Barrington version 2015 aspires to play at the 2013 team's level. The Fillies’ 5-0-2 record includes a 1-0 win over Naperville North and 1-1 ties with Neuqua Valley and 2014 third-place Class 3A finisher Waubonsie Valley, which is undefeated so far this season.
The two goals in that pair of tie games represent the lone scores allowed all spring against Barrington. Star goalkeeper Hannah Luedtke has allowed one goal.
Buffalo Grove (6-2-1) suffered an season-opening 2-1 loss to Saint Viator. Since then the Bison have rapidly returned to top form. They allowed just two goals in the ensuing six-game unbeaten streak before falling 5-1 to Conant last Wednesday.
“Some lessons are learned more quickly after a loss,” Bison coach Pat Dudle said. “In our loss vs. Saint Viator, we learned that we have to play intense for an entire 80 minutes. The lesson learned vs. Conant was that we need to communicate more and think about our defensive shape.”
Now another elite foe looms, and the Bison hope to be ready for the big challenge.
“Facing upper-echelon teams like Barrington and Conant is a chance to test your mettle,” Bison coach Patrick Dudle said. “In order to win a conference title, regional or sectional, you must defeat a team of their caliber.”
Defender Maria Hamilton has been one of the standouts this spring for the Bison.
“We made a change with Maria Hamilton to center back, and she has helped to solidify our back line,” Dudle said.
Barrington, which has won six straight sectional titiles, will provide a test to any defense. Senior Jenna Szczesny scored 30 goals last year in winning Gatorade's Illinois Player of the Year honors, and her 25-goal sophomore season included both goals against the Bison in the third-place match.
Also still on hand from that state semifinal squad for the Fillies are Luedtke, Annalise Avers (seven goals that season), Kelsey Muniz (five goals, six assists in 2013) and Megan Fox.
Buffalo Grove features five of its own holdovers from the Bison’s 2013 run to state: Sarah O’Connor, Sabrina Guercio, Jessica Kovach, Sarah Busse and Jessica Ahumada.
Wednesday’s showdown with Barrington will be the latest step toward the Bisons' ultimate goal of late-season success.
“We hope to improve as individuals and as a group every day,” Dudle said. “We want to be playing our best soccer in May.”
brace for MLS collision
Something has to give when prolific Fillies face solid Bison
By Dave Owen
Barrington and Buffalo Grove have been two longtime forces in north suburban IHSA girls soccer.
Two years after the Fillies and Bison met in the 2013 Class 3A third-place game (won by Barrington 2-0), the traditional powers renew acquaintances at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in Buffalo Grove.
Barrington version 2015 aspires to play at the 2013 team's level. The Fillies’ 5-0-2 record includes a 1-0 win over Naperville North and 1-1 ties with Neuqua Valley and 2014 third-place Class 3A finisher Waubonsie Valley, which is undefeated so far this season.
The two goals in that pair of tie games represent the lone scores allowed all spring against Barrington. Star goalkeeper Hannah Luedtke has allowed one goal.
Buffalo Grove (6-2-1) suffered an season-opening 2-1 loss to Saint Viator. Since then the Bison have rapidly returned to top form. They allowed just two goals in the ensuing six-game unbeaten streak before falling 5-1 to Conant last Wednesday.
“Some lessons are learned more quickly after a loss,” Bison coach Pat Dudle said. “In our loss vs. Saint Viator, we learned that we have to play intense for an entire 80 minutes. The lesson learned vs. Conant was that we need to communicate more and think about our defensive shape.”
Now another elite foe looms, and the Bison hope to be ready for the big challenge.
“Facing upper-echelon teams like Barrington and Conant is a chance to test your mettle,” Bison coach Patrick Dudle said. “In order to win a conference title, regional or sectional, you must defeat a team of their caliber.”
Defender Maria Hamilton has been one of the standouts this spring for the Bison.
“We made a change with Maria Hamilton to center back, and she has helped to solidify our back line,” Dudle said.
Barrington, which has won six straight sectional titiles, will provide a test to any defense. Senior Jenna Szczesny scored 30 goals last year in winning Gatorade's Illinois Player of the Year honors, and her 25-goal sophomore season included both goals against the Bison in the third-place match.
Also still on hand from that state semifinal squad for the Fillies are Luedtke, Annalise Avers (seven goals that season), Kelsey Muniz (five goals, six assists in 2013) and Megan Fox.
Buffalo Grove features five of its own holdovers from the Bison’s 2013 run to state: Sarah O’Connor, Sabrina Guercio, Jessica Kovach, Sarah Busse and Jessica Ahumada.
Wednesday’s showdown with Barrington will be the latest step toward the Bisons' ultimate goal of late-season success.
“We hope to improve as individuals and as a group every day,” Dudle said. “We want to be playing our best soccer in May.”