Class 3A Barrington Supersectional preview
Hononegah (13-9-0) vs. Barrington (25-1-0)
6 p.m. Tuesday at Barrington Community Stadium
By Mike Garofola
History lesson:
Hononegah will arrive in Barrington for the first time in program history after defeating 2016 state qualifier Huntley 2-2 (4-2 PKs) last Friday evening.
The shootout win was the second straight for the Indians, who ended the season of top sectional seed Crystal Lake South three days earlier.
This is the ninth-consecutive appearance in this match for the Fillies, who last season were stunned by Huntley 1-0 to end a marvelous year abruptly at 20-3-1.
The winner of the match advances to the Class 3A Final Four to play either Downers Grove North (19-2-2) or Naperville North (20-2-3) at 7 p.m. Friday at North Central College in Naperville.
Hononegah:
Things did not go well for the Indians in the early stages of the season. They began with a five-match losing streak. But Hononegah rose up to defeat area power Boylan prior to an eight-game win stretch.
In the sectional title victory over Huntley, Claire Miller's equalizer at 79 minutes sent the game into overtime. In the shootout, later keeper Alyssa Miller would earn Player of the Match honors when she struck the game-winning spot kick.
This is the first appearance in a supersectional for Hononegah since 2008.
Barrington:
On paper, it would appear the Fillies can begin to make travel plans to the 3A state semifinals this coming weekend, but manager Ryan Stengren knows all too well about the danger of doing so.
"There isn't one player on this team that doesn't remember what happened last year at this time, and I can tell you the focus for each one of these girls is only on Hononegah, and nothing after it," said Stengren
The Fillies unkind and abrupt ending a year ago left a bitter taste for all those involved, but it would never become the focal point of this season.
"It really has been for us to just focus on one game at a time, and nothing else," said senior Jackie Batliner before the start of the playoffs.
"That's the great thing about this team -- we never look back or forward at any of our results. And it's helped us keep our focus for the task ahead."
Batliner and teammate Sophia Spinell were recently named to the IHSSCA all-state team for the second-consecutive season, but the Fillies do not lean heavily on one single player. Their strong lineup has made things tough for oppoents.
There are more reasons why the no. 1 team in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 is playing tonight.
Since May 1, the Fillies have outscored their opponents 34-1 on their way to a sixth-consecutive Mid-Suburban League title, and ninth-straight regional and sectional crowns.
"It all starts with our defense and with our keeper Sam (Schmitz) - which is evident with the few goals we've conceded thus far," began Stengren.
"I cannot tell you how proud I am of these girls, and how much I have appreciated the hard work and commitment each has made to get us to this point in the season.
"There's still some unfinished business for this team ... but they they won't let it get in the way of this game with Hononegah."
Projected Barrington starting XI
GK: Samantha Schmitz (19.5 shutouts, 0.21 GAA), D- Madi Rosen, D- Haley Tausend, D- Kayla Keck, D- Jackie Batliner (8g, 6a), M- Sophia Spinell (16g, 24a), M- Michayla Herr (7g), M- Sydney Bowling, M- Lauren Caffe, F- Anna Brodjian (16g, 5a), F- Ashley Prell (15g, 8a)
Hononegah (13-9-0) vs. Barrington (25-1-0)
6 p.m. Tuesday at Barrington Community Stadium
By Mike Garofola
History lesson:
Hononegah will arrive in Barrington for the first time in program history after defeating 2016 state qualifier Huntley 2-2 (4-2 PKs) last Friday evening.
The shootout win was the second straight for the Indians, who ended the season of top sectional seed Crystal Lake South three days earlier.
This is the ninth-consecutive appearance in this match for the Fillies, who last season were stunned by Huntley 1-0 to end a marvelous year abruptly at 20-3-1.
The winner of the match advances to the Class 3A Final Four to play either Downers Grove North (19-2-2) or Naperville North (20-2-3) at 7 p.m. Friday at North Central College in Naperville.
Hononegah:
Things did not go well for the Indians in the early stages of the season. They began with a five-match losing streak. But Hononegah rose up to defeat area power Boylan prior to an eight-game win stretch.
In the sectional title victory over Huntley, Claire Miller's equalizer at 79 minutes sent the game into overtime. In the shootout, later keeper Alyssa Miller would earn Player of the Match honors when she struck the game-winning spot kick.
This is the first appearance in a supersectional for Hononegah since 2008.
Barrington:
On paper, it would appear the Fillies can begin to make travel plans to the 3A state semifinals this coming weekend, but manager Ryan Stengren knows all too well about the danger of doing so.
"There isn't one player on this team that doesn't remember what happened last year at this time, and I can tell you the focus for each one of these girls is only on Hononegah, and nothing after it," said Stengren
The Fillies unkind and abrupt ending a year ago left a bitter taste for all those involved, but it would never become the focal point of this season.
"It really has been for us to just focus on one game at a time, and nothing else," said senior Jackie Batliner before the start of the playoffs.
"That's the great thing about this team -- we never look back or forward at any of our results. And it's helped us keep our focus for the task ahead."
Batliner and teammate Sophia Spinell were recently named to the IHSSCA all-state team for the second-consecutive season, but the Fillies do not lean heavily on one single player. Their strong lineup has made things tough for oppoents.
There are more reasons why the no. 1 team in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 is playing tonight.
Since May 1, the Fillies have outscored their opponents 34-1 on their way to a sixth-consecutive Mid-Suburban League title, and ninth-straight regional and sectional crowns.
"It all starts with our defense and with our keeper Sam (Schmitz) - which is evident with the few goals we've conceded thus far," began Stengren.
"I cannot tell you how proud I am of these girls, and how much I have appreciated the hard work and commitment each has made to get us to this point in the season.
"There's still some unfinished business for this team ... but they they won't let it get in the way of this game with Hononegah."
Projected Barrington starting XI
GK: Samantha Schmitz (19.5 shutouts, 0.21 GAA), D- Madi Rosen, D- Haley Tausend, D- Kayla Keck, D- Jackie Batliner (8g, 6a), M- Sophia Spinell (16g, 24a), M- Michayla Herr (7g), M- Sydney Bowling, M- Lauren Caffe, F- Anna Brodjian (16g, 5a), F- Ashley Prell (15g, 8a)