Frontrunner Barrington wary of trip to Fremd
By Mike Garofola
Barrington and Fremd will start week no. 8 of the prep season off with a bang when the sides meet in Mid-Suburban League action tonight in Palatine.
This is a key match in this longtime rivalry on several fronts. It's most important for the survival of Steve Keller's side -- a loss will end Fremd's slim hopes for a West Division crown.
On the flip side, three more points for Barrington (10-2-2) will put further pressure on second place Conant, which opens this week chasing the reigning league champs by two points (21-19). The Cougars are hoping for help from Fremd, Prospect and Buffalo Grove, who will test Ryan Stengrens' club this week.
"No doubt it's a big week for us, but it all starts with Fremd," began the Barrington manager.
"Barrington-Fremd has become a real big rivalry for the past several years. When we play them (we) all know they will come ready to play us, because Steve is such a fantastic coach, who always has his players prepared to defend for 80 minutes, be organized, and be ready to play at a high level."
Both sides are coming off a demanding two weeks of soccer, which included for each, several away games associated with being a part of their annual participation in the Naperville Invitational.
The Fillies saw their chance to reach the final dashed with a 1-0 semifinal loss to Naperville North, which later fell in the championship game to New Trier
"We came out strong in our quarterfinal win over Waubonsie Valley (5-0) and just as strong against Naperville North, but it just wasn't enough," admits Stengren, whose club played to a 2-2 with Naperville North in its season opener.
"If we play like we did against Burlington Central at our place a week ago, we'll be in good shape tonight with Fremd, but we've got to come ready to play."
Burlington Central defeated the defending state champions in PKs after a scoreless 100 minutes of physical play that saw the Fillies miss two glorious chances to score before going to the shootout.
Stengren says the quartet of: Michayla Herr, Ashley Prell, Samantha Schmitz and Tina Teik, have been the most consistent group of players from a young and inexperienced roster
Herr, Prell and Teik have accounted for 23 goals and 17 assists. The Harvard-bound Schmitz is having an all-state season between the sticks following a superb junior campaign a year ago.
Schmitz enters the game with seven clean-sheets and a .58 goals against average.
"We've been dealing with injuries like everyone else has, but the return of our center back, Juliana Moreno has really helped strengthen our backline, and our overall depth as well," said Stengren.
Despite having Moreno on the injured list for just over two weeks, the Fillies have conceded just eight goals in 14 games.
Fremd (5-6-2, 5-2-0) is hoping to bounce back from a downturn. The Vikings went 0-3-1 at the Naperville Invitational. They have struggled on both sides of the ball according to their coach.
"We have been unable to possess, (therefore) we haven't had the opportunities we would like to have," Keller said.
"Mental mistakes have cost us at crucial times. And defensively, we haven't been patient, and tend to dive in, which has allowed other teams numbers going forward.
"It seems like we've been doing a lot of chasing of late."
The Vikings will welcome back standout sophomore keeper Jennifer Norris, who returns from an injury which kept her sidelined for more than a week.
Keller says his terrific center back, Marta Cholewa has been steady and consistent during this recent stretch, while the sophomore duo of Liz Prigge and Maddie McCarthy have earned plenty of praise.
By Mike Garofola
Barrington and Fremd will start week no. 8 of the prep season off with a bang when the sides meet in Mid-Suburban League action tonight in Palatine.
This is a key match in this longtime rivalry on several fronts. It's most important for the survival of Steve Keller's side -- a loss will end Fremd's slim hopes for a West Division crown.
On the flip side, three more points for Barrington (10-2-2) will put further pressure on second place Conant, which opens this week chasing the reigning league champs by two points (21-19). The Cougars are hoping for help from Fremd, Prospect and Buffalo Grove, who will test Ryan Stengrens' club this week.
"No doubt it's a big week for us, but it all starts with Fremd," began the Barrington manager.
"Barrington-Fremd has become a real big rivalry for the past several years. When we play them (we) all know they will come ready to play us, because Steve is such a fantastic coach, who always has his players prepared to defend for 80 minutes, be organized, and be ready to play at a high level."
Both sides are coming off a demanding two weeks of soccer, which included for each, several away games associated with being a part of their annual participation in the Naperville Invitational.
The Fillies saw their chance to reach the final dashed with a 1-0 semifinal loss to Naperville North, which later fell in the championship game to New Trier
"We came out strong in our quarterfinal win over Waubonsie Valley (5-0) and just as strong against Naperville North, but it just wasn't enough," admits Stengren, whose club played to a 2-2 with Naperville North in its season opener.
"If we play like we did against Burlington Central at our place a week ago, we'll be in good shape tonight with Fremd, but we've got to come ready to play."
Burlington Central defeated the defending state champions in PKs after a scoreless 100 minutes of physical play that saw the Fillies miss two glorious chances to score before going to the shootout.
Stengren says the quartet of: Michayla Herr, Ashley Prell, Samantha Schmitz and Tina Teik, have been the most consistent group of players from a young and inexperienced roster
Herr, Prell and Teik have accounted for 23 goals and 17 assists. The Harvard-bound Schmitz is having an all-state season between the sticks following a superb junior campaign a year ago.
Schmitz enters the game with seven clean-sheets and a .58 goals against average.
"We've been dealing with injuries like everyone else has, but the return of our center back, Juliana Moreno has really helped strengthen our backline, and our overall depth as well," said Stengren.
Despite having Moreno on the injured list for just over two weeks, the Fillies have conceded just eight goals in 14 games.
Fremd (5-6-2, 5-2-0) is hoping to bounce back from a downturn. The Vikings went 0-3-1 at the Naperville Invitational. They have struggled on both sides of the ball according to their coach.
"We have been unable to possess, (therefore) we haven't had the opportunities we would like to have," Keller said.
"Mental mistakes have cost us at crucial times. And defensively, we haven't been patient, and tend to dive in, which has allowed other teams numbers going forward.
"It seems like we've been doing a lot of chasing of late."
The Vikings will welcome back standout sophomore keeper Jennifer Norris, who returns from an injury which kept her sidelined for more than a week.
Keller says his terrific center back, Marta Cholewa has been steady and consistent during this recent stretch, while the sophomore duo of Liz Prigge and Maddie McCarthy have earned plenty of praise.