Crucial MSL points at stake
when Prospect hosts Fremd
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Lightning storms delayed the planned Mid-Suburban League showdown of no. 5 Fremd and Prospect. It has only deepened the intrigue, excitement and privileged aura.
Atmosphere means a lot this time of year. With the start of the state tournament looming, every school seeks out a chance to replicate the drama, intensity and heightened action of the win-or-go home format.
“We had a game in our tournament [against Elgin] that ended with a shootout, and as I shared with the girls afterwards, that is the environment that the postseason is going to be like,” Prospect coach Tom Froats said. “To be able to see that now is important.”
The Knights (6-7-1, 4-3-1) have played some of their best soccer in the last two weeks. Prospect enters the Fremd match riding a two-game conference winning streak. The 4-2 victory over Schaumburg was one of its most impressive wins of the year.
Fremd is also the third top-ten ranked team Prospect has played during that time. The Knights have faced no. 9 Lake Zurich in their own tournament, top-ranked Barrington and now the Vikings. Additionally, Prospect just played downstate power Glenwood -- ranked no. 8 in the Chicagoland Soccer Illinois Top 10 poll -- to a 3-3 2 OT draw that ended with the Knights falling 4-2 in the shootout.
“I think the Mid-Suburban League has been pretty evenly matched,” sophomore forward Ella Marzolf said. “Playing the schedule we have, both inside and outside the conference, helps us play to a level of excellence that we want to play at. We have some strong goals that we are looking to achieve.”
Marzolf and senior forward Aly Kobler are the cornerstones of the Knights’ attack. For them to pull the upset, they are the attacking players who must find a way to penetrate the Vikings’ air-tight defense. Another sophomore forward, Ashley Welk, has also played well as she has gained greater experience.
The Knights’ middle formation has also developed. Another bright young talent, Jalyn Mosley, a freshman, has the versatility to play there or on the backline. She has good size and speed. Midfielders Kristina Suto and Caroline Hajek are also essential members of the attack.
Natalie Marfilius, Grace Taldone and Grace Johannesen solidify the back. Meredith Nyborg, who has field experience as a defender, is the keeper.
“This is a fantastic group, and we all work very well together,” Kobler said. The four-year starter knows the score. Prospect is chasing Buffalo Grove to represent the East in the MSL Cup. Buffalo Grove (5-3-1 in league play) has played one additional conference game.
The reschedule posits an interesting challenge for Fremd as well. The game is a dangerous one, a classic trap game given the Vikings confront top-ranked Barrington Wednesday for the right to represent the West in the Cup.
Fremd is also coming off a remarkable performance. Playing in the state’s top regular season tournament, the Naperville Invitational, the Vikings (11-2-1, 7-1-0) played some of their greatest soccer of the year. Without two of their top offensive players, senior forward Emilijia Peleckas and senior midfielder Katie Kiolbassa -- who both suffered season-ending injuries -- Fremd stunned previous no. 5 Neuqua Valley 1-0 and pushed formerly top-ranked Naperville North to double-overtime.
Fremd features Kelsie Stone, one of the best players in the country at her position. The senior keeper, a Drake recruit, has registered nine shutouts against elite competition. Naperville North generated an 18-3 advantage in shots in their game. Stone is the great equalizer.
“With Kelsie, there is really only one thing I can think of,” senior Fremd forward Missy Adrian said. “We start every game with a chance. Because we have such a great goalie, we go into every game with a shot to win. She will save what we need her to save, and she will get us where we need to go.”
Stone is fearless, physical and blessed with extraordinary instincts.
“I feel like I was born to be an athlete,” Stone said. “Once I was found this position, I was born to play keeper.”
The Vikings have also played a formidable schedule and have beaten two top 10 teams -- Neuqua Valley and Lake Zurich -- and played current no. 16 St. Charles East to a draw. Coach Steve Keller has moved players around to adjust to the absence of the two attacking players. Midfielders Julia Leonard, Marta Cholewa and Layla Dib have stepped up and taken on greater offensive responsibilities.
Adrian, a big and physical player with a great touch and strong shot, is very versatile and is equally dangerous up top or as an attacking midfielder. They are the players to watch in a game of ever greater importance.
when Prospect hosts Fremd
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Lightning storms delayed the planned Mid-Suburban League showdown of no. 5 Fremd and Prospect. It has only deepened the intrigue, excitement and privileged aura.
Atmosphere means a lot this time of year. With the start of the state tournament looming, every school seeks out a chance to replicate the drama, intensity and heightened action of the win-or-go home format.
“We had a game in our tournament [against Elgin] that ended with a shootout, and as I shared with the girls afterwards, that is the environment that the postseason is going to be like,” Prospect coach Tom Froats said. “To be able to see that now is important.”
The Knights (6-7-1, 4-3-1) have played some of their best soccer in the last two weeks. Prospect enters the Fremd match riding a two-game conference winning streak. The 4-2 victory over Schaumburg was one of its most impressive wins of the year.
Fremd is also the third top-ten ranked team Prospect has played during that time. The Knights have faced no. 9 Lake Zurich in their own tournament, top-ranked Barrington and now the Vikings. Additionally, Prospect just played downstate power Glenwood -- ranked no. 8 in the Chicagoland Soccer Illinois Top 10 poll -- to a 3-3 2 OT draw that ended with the Knights falling 4-2 in the shootout.
“I think the Mid-Suburban League has been pretty evenly matched,” sophomore forward Ella Marzolf said. “Playing the schedule we have, both inside and outside the conference, helps us play to a level of excellence that we want to play at. We have some strong goals that we are looking to achieve.”
Marzolf and senior forward Aly Kobler are the cornerstones of the Knights’ attack. For them to pull the upset, they are the attacking players who must find a way to penetrate the Vikings’ air-tight defense. Another sophomore forward, Ashley Welk, has also played well as she has gained greater experience.
The Knights’ middle formation has also developed. Another bright young talent, Jalyn Mosley, a freshman, has the versatility to play there or on the backline. She has good size and speed. Midfielders Kristina Suto and Caroline Hajek are also essential members of the attack.
Natalie Marfilius, Grace Taldone and Grace Johannesen solidify the back. Meredith Nyborg, who has field experience as a defender, is the keeper.
“This is a fantastic group, and we all work very well together,” Kobler said. The four-year starter knows the score. Prospect is chasing Buffalo Grove to represent the East in the MSL Cup. Buffalo Grove (5-3-1 in league play) has played one additional conference game.
The reschedule posits an interesting challenge for Fremd as well. The game is a dangerous one, a classic trap game given the Vikings confront top-ranked Barrington Wednesday for the right to represent the West in the Cup.
Fremd is also coming off a remarkable performance. Playing in the state’s top regular season tournament, the Naperville Invitational, the Vikings (11-2-1, 7-1-0) played some of their greatest soccer of the year. Without two of their top offensive players, senior forward Emilijia Peleckas and senior midfielder Katie Kiolbassa -- who both suffered season-ending injuries -- Fremd stunned previous no. 5 Neuqua Valley 1-0 and pushed formerly top-ranked Naperville North to double-overtime.
Fremd features Kelsie Stone, one of the best players in the country at her position. The senior keeper, a Drake recruit, has registered nine shutouts against elite competition. Naperville North generated an 18-3 advantage in shots in their game. Stone is the great equalizer.
“With Kelsie, there is really only one thing I can think of,” senior Fremd forward Missy Adrian said. “We start every game with a chance. Because we have such a great goalie, we go into every game with a shot to win. She will save what we need her to save, and she will get us where we need to go.”
Stone is fearless, physical and blessed with extraordinary instincts.
“I feel like I was born to be an athlete,” Stone said. “Once I was found this position, I was born to play keeper.”
The Vikings have also played a formidable schedule and have beaten two top 10 teams -- Neuqua Valley and Lake Zurich -- and played current no. 16 St. Charles East to a draw. Coach Steve Keller has moved players around to adjust to the absence of the two attacking players. Midfielders Julia Leonard, Marta Cholewa and Layla Dib have stepped up and taken on greater offensive responsibilities.
Adrian, a big and physical player with a great touch and strong shot, is very versatile and is equally dangerous up top or as an attacking midfielder. They are the players to watch in a game of ever greater importance.