31st annual MSL Soccer Bowl
Barrington (11-1-2) vs. Buffalo Grove (9-4-3)
7 p.m. Friday, Grant Blaney Stadium, Buffalo Grove
By Mike Garofola
History
Barrington
The Fillies will make their ninth-consecutive and league-high 15th appearance in the big game. Barrington has another league best -- 12 Soccer Bowl titles.
The Fillies lost to Schaumburg in their first two visits to the Soccer Bowl in 1996 and 1998. They have won 12 in a row, including 2003 and 2005 under Paul Keenan, who previously managed the mens program at St. Charles to two state titles, four total state trophies and an 88 percent win mark from 1991-2000.
Buffalo Grove
The Bison compete for their sixth Soccer Bowl. The first visit came in 1993 when Buffalo Grove claimed its first and only league title with a 2-1 defeat of Schaumburg, which went on to win the state championship that season behind all-state stars forward Kristin Lester and defender Shay Feilen, who went on to All-American honors at Michigan State and the University of Chicago, respectively.
The Bison did not return to the Soccer Bowl until 2012 when they lost 2-1 to Fremd. Since then, Buffalo Grove has lost three times to Barrington, all by 2-0 scores.
Current day
Barrington
The bar is always set high for the Fillies as their faithful have watched one talent-rich roster after another send off their league rivals for almost a decade. But Barrington entered the 2021 season with just two starters back from its 2019 3A state runnerup squad.
The Fillies, who are ranked fifth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, finally shook off longtime rival and 19th-ranked Fremd in the divisional standings with a thrilling overtime victory on May 12. They followed with five-straight shutout victories to capture yet another division crown.
"Expectations are always high when it comes to Barrington soccer," said senior captain Jen Denova. “That's why it's very exciting to be back in the Soccer Bowl with such a young group that has worked hard to get here. We hope the experience they gain from playing in this game will go a long way towards their growth for next season."
Buffalo Grove
The no. 25 Bison suffered through an underwhelming start with two losses in their opening four games.
However, the MSL East champions have delivered when it mattered. They raised the bar with four-consecutive shutout victories and closed out division challengers Hersey and Prospect down the stretch.
"We had a rough start to the season, but we finally found our game said senior captain Quinlan Libit. “We all felt we could get into this game if we continued to train and stay healthy and focused."
Key players
Barrington
Jen Devona (Sr., MF-F), Nicole Gwiasda (Jr., MF), Coast Liapis (Sr., GK), Lara Lubinsky (Jr., F), Kate McGreevy (Sr., D), Riley Raynor (Jr., F).
Devona led the Fillies with goals 11 despite missing three games. She proved to be not only dangerous in and around the goal, but was also the beating heart of the attack, a dominant ball-winner, and consummate teammate who earned the MSL West Division Player of the Year honor.
Gwiada burst onto the scene in her first year with the big club with a work-rate second to none. She was a strong ball-winner alongside Devona.
Raynor and Lubinsky provided 16 goals between them as the Fillies’ dynamic duo up-top.
McGreevy, like Devona, was in the Fillies starting 11 as a freshman on the 2018 state championship club. She has proven to be a commanding figure along the back throughout her fine career. She is the glue which has held together the brand new backline group.
Just in back of McGreevy is keeper Coast Liapis, who earned several minutes behind star keeper Samantha Schmitz in 2018. She earned the starting spot this season and provided a calming effect in and around the area. She is a terrific communication and provides quality distribution.
Buffalo Grove
Pam Bolis (Sr., F), Kora Kipley (So., D), Savannah Larsen (Sr., D), Quinlan Libit (Sr., MF), Bridget Reynolds (Sr., D), Sophie Veytsman (Sr., GK), Alyssa Weede (S.r, MF).
MSL East Division Player of the Year Bolis is one of the most dangerous players up-top in the area. The senior has size, strength and can run past defenders. Her 16 goals and 10 assists says it all.
Libit, who will play at NIU next fall, is a four-year starter who likes the ball at her feet. She forms a terrific one-two offensive punch with Bolis.
Alyssa Weede is the real deal, but unfortunately the Illinois recruit has been out of action for most of the season with an injury. Should the senior play tonight, the center-of-the-park play will be given a major boost on both sides of the ball for the home side.
Reynolds and Larsen are the sturdy central defenders for the Bison. They are strong in the tackle and willing to get forward when needed.
Sophomore Kora Kipley who is back from club soccer, gives the club an outstanding complimentary player on the outside.
First and foremost, ISU-bound Sophia Veytsman is a brilliant shot-stopper, She knows when and where to come off her line and is a first-class distributor with accuracy and pace.
Managers
Ryan Stengren, Barrington
You would be hard pressed to find another manager around that can equal the level of success Ryan Stengren has achieved in his 13th seasons with the Fillies:
255 wins, just 46 losses, nine-straight MSL West titles, five Class 3A state appearances, back-to-back state titles, a pair of third place trophies and one second place finish.
"All of us associated with Barrington soccer is very excited to be playing against Pat's team tonight. The Soccer Bowl is one of the goals we always set forth at the start of the season and for the entire roster and especially the 14 girls who have never played in the Soccer Bowl. It's just a great game to be a part of."
Pat Dudle, Buffalo Grove
The Bison manager took over in 2008 and five years later led a marvelous club to a fourth place finish at the 3A state tournament.
"We dealt with a lot of adversity at the start, much of it due to injuries,” Dudle said. “It tested our depth and ability to overcome the loss of the players who were out.
"This is very resilient group, and one that likes to train and be together. They are strong both physically and mentally, which helped us down the stretch during a tight race for the MSL East title."
Barrington (11-1-2) vs. Buffalo Grove (9-4-3)
7 p.m. Friday, Grant Blaney Stadium, Buffalo Grove
By Mike Garofola
History
Barrington
The Fillies will make their ninth-consecutive and league-high 15th appearance in the big game. Barrington has another league best -- 12 Soccer Bowl titles.
The Fillies lost to Schaumburg in their first two visits to the Soccer Bowl in 1996 and 1998. They have won 12 in a row, including 2003 and 2005 under Paul Keenan, who previously managed the mens program at St. Charles to two state titles, four total state trophies and an 88 percent win mark from 1991-2000.
Buffalo Grove
The Bison compete for their sixth Soccer Bowl. The first visit came in 1993 when Buffalo Grove claimed its first and only league title with a 2-1 defeat of Schaumburg, which went on to win the state championship that season behind all-state stars forward Kristin Lester and defender Shay Feilen, who went on to All-American honors at Michigan State and the University of Chicago, respectively.
The Bison did not return to the Soccer Bowl until 2012 when they lost 2-1 to Fremd. Since then, Buffalo Grove has lost three times to Barrington, all by 2-0 scores.
Current day
Barrington
The bar is always set high for the Fillies as their faithful have watched one talent-rich roster after another send off their league rivals for almost a decade. But Barrington entered the 2021 season with just two starters back from its 2019 3A state runnerup squad.
The Fillies, who are ranked fifth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, finally shook off longtime rival and 19th-ranked Fremd in the divisional standings with a thrilling overtime victory on May 12. They followed with five-straight shutout victories to capture yet another division crown.
"Expectations are always high when it comes to Barrington soccer," said senior captain Jen Denova. “That's why it's very exciting to be back in the Soccer Bowl with such a young group that has worked hard to get here. We hope the experience they gain from playing in this game will go a long way towards their growth for next season."
Buffalo Grove
The no. 25 Bison suffered through an underwhelming start with two losses in their opening four games.
However, the MSL East champions have delivered when it mattered. They raised the bar with four-consecutive shutout victories and closed out division challengers Hersey and Prospect down the stretch.
"We had a rough start to the season, but we finally found our game said senior captain Quinlan Libit. “We all felt we could get into this game if we continued to train and stay healthy and focused."
Key players
Barrington
Jen Devona (Sr., MF-F), Nicole Gwiasda (Jr., MF), Coast Liapis (Sr., GK), Lara Lubinsky (Jr., F), Kate McGreevy (Sr., D), Riley Raynor (Jr., F).
Devona led the Fillies with goals 11 despite missing three games. She proved to be not only dangerous in and around the goal, but was also the beating heart of the attack, a dominant ball-winner, and consummate teammate who earned the MSL West Division Player of the Year honor.
Gwiada burst onto the scene in her first year with the big club with a work-rate second to none. She was a strong ball-winner alongside Devona.
Raynor and Lubinsky provided 16 goals between them as the Fillies’ dynamic duo up-top.
McGreevy, like Devona, was in the Fillies starting 11 as a freshman on the 2018 state championship club. She has proven to be a commanding figure along the back throughout her fine career. She is the glue which has held together the brand new backline group.
Just in back of McGreevy is keeper Coast Liapis, who earned several minutes behind star keeper Samantha Schmitz in 2018. She earned the starting spot this season and provided a calming effect in and around the area. She is a terrific communication and provides quality distribution.
Buffalo Grove
Pam Bolis (Sr., F), Kora Kipley (So., D), Savannah Larsen (Sr., D), Quinlan Libit (Sr., MF), Bridget Reynolds (Sr., D), Sophie Veytsman (Sr., GK), Alyssa Weede (S.r, MF).
MSL East Division Player of the Year Bolis is one of the most dangerous players up-top in the area. The senior has size, strength and can run past defenders. Her 16 goals and 10 assists says it all.
Libit, who will play at NIU next fall, is a four-year starter who likes the ball at her feet. She forms a terrific one-two offensive punch with Bolis.
Alyssa Weede is the real deal, but unfortunately the Illinois recruit has been out of action for most of the season with an injury. Should the senior play tonight, the center-of-the-park play will be given a major boost on both sides of the ball for the home side.
Reynolds and Larsen are the sturdy central defenders for the Bison. They are strong in the tackle and willing to get forward when needed.
Sophomore Kora Kipley who is back from club soccer, gives the club an outstanding complimentary player on the outside.
First and foremost, ISU-bound Sophia Veytsman is a brilliant shot-stopper, She knows when and where to come off her line and is a first-class distributor with accuracy and pace.
Managers
Ryan Stengren, Barrington
You would be hard pressed to find another manager around that can equal the level of success Ryan Stengren has achieved in his 13th seasons with the Fillies:
255 wins, just 46 losses, nine-straight MSL West titles, five Class 3A state appearances, back-to-back state titles, a pair of third place trophies and one second place finish.
"All of us associated with Barrington soccer is very excited to be playing against Pat's team tonight. The Soccer Bowl is one of the goals we always set forth at the start of the season and for the entire roster and especially the 14 girls who have never played in the Soccer Bowl. It's just a great game to be a part of."
Pat Dudle, Buffalo Grove
The Bison manager took over in 2008 and five years later led a marvelous club to a fourth place finish at the 3A state tournament.
"We dealt with a lot of adversity at the start, much of it due to injuries,” Dudle said. “It tested our depth and ability to overcome the loss of the players who were out.
"This is very resilient group, and one that likes to train and be together. They are strong both physically and mentally, which helped us down the stretch during a tight race for the MSL East title."