Barrington-Fremd: MSL marquee matchup
By Mike Garofola
During the last seven days, both Barrington and Fremd have proven that they're not only the powerhouse clubs in the MSL, but belong with the best in the state and Midwest after impressive performances in the high-profile Naperville Invite.
These two high-speed soccer trains will crash head-on at 6 p.m. Wednesday with the Mid-Suburban League West Division title likely decided when all is said and done.
This quality of this longtime rivalry was displayed by the clubs' in two tight matches last season, both 1-0 Fillies wins with the second a blistering 80-minute affair in a sectional semifinal.
"Steve (Keller, Fremd manager) does an amazing job year after year with his girls," said Fillies manager Ryan Stengren. "He always has them playing their absolute best soccer later in the season. We have a lot of respect for him and his program, and fully expect them to give us all that they have in this game."
Barrington (17-1-0, 8-0-0) was anointed as the no. 1 team in the new Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 after a stunning week which included victories over no. 3 New Trier and previously top rated Naperville North to lift the Naperville Invite trophy. The Fillies current nine-game win streak has been accomplished in only 13 days.
At the opening whistle, both teams will enter the game with 24 points. However, Barrington has a game in hand.
"What a week we had. But I told the girls, we might be no. 1 today, but not after this game if we aren't sharper in some things, and don't come ready to play against a very talented, and well-coached team like Fremd," said Stengren after Ellie Stodala's 80th minute goal stunned Naperville North 3-2.
Stengren's message was heard loud and clear by his club -- who, to a player, have remained incredibly businesslike in the approach to every game -- knowing that each opponent would like nothing more than to be the one who records a stunning victory against one of the best around.
"We're all aware of having that target on our back. It's the type of thing that helps keep us focused on the job at hand," said senior Kayla Keck, who is part of a marvelous defense in front of keeper Samantha Schmitz.
Not to overlook the front half of the players in the park, both clubs have assembled back fours that every manager dreams of having.
Both are organized, intelligent, sharp in the tackle, fearless in the air, and willing to play a nice ball out of the back or join the attack whenever and wherever it is needed.
The Fillies welcomed sophomore newcomer Madi Rosen along the back. The natural left-footer fits in like a glove on the outside of the Fillies tremendous trio of veterans: Jackie Batliner, Haley Tausend and Keck.
The unit has helped Schmitz collect 13 clean sheets, while recording a stingy 0.28 goals against average.
"It all starts in the back, and that's where we've been at our best all-season long while we've sorted a few things out with our lineup and formation," said Stengren.
The same can be said for the Vikings (12-2-1, 8-1-0), who had to overcome a terrible streak of injuries, two of which robbed the club of standouts Emilijia Peleckas and Katie Kiolbassa, both of whom are done for the spring season-ending surgeries.
The one constant for Keller, who went through a variety of different looks and lineups, has been his backline led by the superb center-back duo of Julia Szylke and Marta Cholewa. They have held things together while senior Jennifer Josten and freshman Lauren Burk found their way during their first season with the big club.
"We've had to count on our defense right from the start because we had several new players, and (we were) trying to find the best fits for everyone to help us be the best team that we could," said Keller.
"When we finally got ourselves settled in the back, we then had a few moving parts due to injury. But the girls have totally bought into what we want to do, and having Kelsie in goal makes it all that much better."
Kelsie is Kelsie Stone.
The Drake University-bound keeper has been brilliant during the past two seasons, earning multiple all-state honors a year ago. She is likely on her way to repeat honors, thanks in part to her uncanny ability to literally take goals right out of the back of the net.
"She has worked so hard at improving her leadership and communication in the back, and I've been really impressed with her presence in the box (dealing) with crosses and balls played in behind our defense," said Keller.
The senior has 9.0 clean-sheets, and a 0.47 goals against average.
"Tonight will be a big challenge for us. Barrington is organized, and has several players who can put the ball in the back of the net," Keller said.
"We cannot chase, even if they have the majority of the possession, and we'll have to stay compact and pressure with a purpose."
Everyone is expecting a great game.
"We expect this to be our biggest challenge of the year so far," said Stengren.
"Both teams defend really well, and each have great players in the goal, which makes for a hard-fought game, just as they always are."
By Mike Garofola
During the last seven days, both Barrington and Fremd have proven that they're not only the powerhouse clubs in the MSL, but belong with the best in the state and Midwest after impressive performances in the high-profile Naperville Invite.
These two high-speed soccer trains will crash head-on at 6 p.m. Wednesday with the Mid-Suburban League West Division title likely decided when all is said and done.
This quality of this longtime rivalry was displayed by the clubs' in two tight matches last season, both 1-0 Fillies wins with the second a blistering 80-minute affair in a sectional semifinal.
"Steve (Keller, Fremd manager) does an amazing job year after year with his girls," said Fillies manager Ryan Stengren. "He always has them playing their absolute best soccer later in the season. We have a lot of respect for him and his program, and fully expect them to give us all that they have in this game."
Barrington (17-1-0, 8-0-0) was anointed as the no. 1 team in the new Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 after a stunning week which included victories over no. 3 New Trier and previously top rated Naperville North to lift the Naperville Invite trophy. The Fillies current nine-game win streak has been accomplished in only 13 days.
At the opening whistle, both teams will enter the game with 24 points. However, Barrington has a game in hand.
"What a week we had. But I told the girls, we might be no. 1 today, but not after this game if we aren't sharper in some things, and don't come ready to play against a very talented, and well-coached team like Fremd," said Stengren after Ellie Stodala's 80th minute goal stunned Naperville North 3-2.
Stengren's message was heard loud and clear by his club -- who, to a player, have remained incredibly businesslike in the approach to every game -- knowing that each opponent would like nothing more than to be the one who records a stunning victory against one of the best around.
"We're all aware of having that target on our back. It's the type of thing that helps keep us focused on the job at hand," said senior Kayla Keck, who is part of a marvelous defense in front of keeper Samantha Schmitz.
Not to overlook the front half of the players in the park, both clubs have assembled back fours that every manager dreams of having.
Both are organized, intelligent, sharp in the tackle, fearless in the air, and willing to play a nice ball out of the back or join the attack whenever and wherever it is needed.
The Fillies welcomed sophomore newcomer Madi Rosen along the back. The natural left-footer fits in like a glove on the outside of the Fillies tremendous trio of veterans: Jackie Batliner, Haley Tausend and Keck.
The unit has helped Schmitz collect 13 clean sheets, while recording a stingy 0.28 goals against average.
"It all starts in the back, and that's where we've been at our best all-season long while we've sorted a few things out with our lineup and formation," said Stengren.
The same can be said for the Vikings (12-2-1, 8-1-0), who had to overcome a terrible streak of injuries, two of which robbed the club of standouts Emilijia Peleckas and Katie Kiolbassa, both of whom are done for the spring season-ending surgeries.
The one constant for Keller, who went through a variety of different looks and lineups, has been his backline led by the superb center-back duo of Julia Szylke and Marta Cholewa. They have held things together while senior Jennifer Josten and freshman Lauren Burk found their way during their first season with the big club.
"We've had to count on our defense right from the start because we had several new players, and (we were) trying to find the best fits for everyone to help us be the best team that we could," said Keller.
"When we finally got ourselves settled in the back, we then had a few moving parts due to injury. But the girls have totally bought into what we want to do, and having Kelsie in goal makes it all that much better."
Kelsie is Kelsie Stone.
The Drake University-bound keeper has been brilliant during the past two seasons, earning multiple all-state honors a year ago. She is likely on her way to repeat honors, thanks in part to her uncanny ability to literally take goals right out of the back of the net.
"She has worked so hard at improving her leadership and communication in the back, and I've been really impressed with her presence in the box (dealing) with crosses and balls played in behind our defense," said Keller.
The senior has 9.0 clean-sheets, and a 0.47 goals against average.
"Tonight will be a big challenge for us. Barrington is organized, and has several players who can put the ball in the back of the net," Keller said.
"We cannot chase, even if they have the majority of the possession, and we'll have to stay compact and pressure with a purpose."
Everyone is expecting a great game.
"We expect this to be our biggest challenge of the year so far," said Stengren.
"Both teams defend really well, and each have great players in the goal, which makes for a hard-fought game, just as they always are."