Fremd vs. Buffalo Grove for 42nd MSL Cup
By Mike Garofola
Statistically, and from the benefit of the usual conveyer belt of talent afforded each team, Buffalo Grove and Fremd were clearly the best two clubs in the Mid-Suburban League this fall.
The division champs, Buffalo Grove from the East, and Fremd from the West, will contest the MSL Cup final at 7 p.m. Thursday at Grant Blaney Stadium.
Both sides went out in-front early on. Aside from late 1-0 defeats, each fought their way through one of the area's top leagues and into this climatic 42nd final, the longest running high school hampionship series in the state of Illinois.
Everything is set for what should be an entertaining and hard-fought soccer match. Each club have been on a steady upward climb, and both managers have so many options at his their disposal.
Buffalo Grove (14-4-1) and Fremd (11-4-1) are built from the back, but both are very dangerous, particularly in the midfield and attack.
A victory for the Bison would be a landmark for new manager Darren Llewellyn. After witnessing the 30-year reunion of the 1988 state championship team last Friday during a halftime celebration at Homecoming, the BG manager had this to say:
"How cool was it to bring back so many players from that '88 team ... the last team here to win a MSL championship. That's something I want by guys to experience on Thursday night."
That 1988 team featured future U.S. National Team, Columbus Crew and Fulham star, Brian McBride, who as a junior helped lead a talent laden Bison team past Naperville Central (3-0) to capture the big trophy.
Mike Steele, who founded the highly successful Elite Soccer Club was also key player on that team, which was led by long-time manager, John Erfort, whose 2004 team lost 1-0 in the final to Downers Grove South.
Erfort, who attended the Homecoming ceremony along with 11 of his former players, is one of the classiest managers in the history of northwest suburban soccer. He collected 316 victories during a career which spanned from 1976 to 2005.
Buffalo Grove enters the game Thursday night with the same record as it did a year ago when it lost to Barrington in a shootout.
Llewellyn's club was one win better than Fremd in the league table, claiming 10 victories against one loss, that 1-0 decision to the Vikings on September 20.
The 2017 Bison had a top-flight scorer (Kyle Adams) and an exceptional man between the sticks in Daniel Sempoch, as well as five other seniors who were starters in-then manager Brad Abel's first 11.
Eight players returned from that squad including all-state candidate Kevin Eloiza. Brian Hanus and Christian Kozaczka are BG's crackerjack central defenders along with impact performers Alex Berk, Ryan Kim and Jon Peici.
"(Ryan) and Alex have been huge for us in our midfield as has Brian Perez, who came back from club to give us another weapon in our attack. And what can you say about Peici?" said Kozaczka.
"Our midfield this year can possess, create, defend and really get us going either in the counter and with combination play," continued the senior, who wears the captain's armband along with Hanus.
"But Jon has just been out of sight," beamed Kozaczka.
Peici is a stone-cold finisher who has provided YouTube-worthy goals. Many of his 10 scores on the season were game-winners for the Bison.
"Jon is big, strong and faster than you think," said Llewellyn. "Plus he can strike a ball like no other."
Buffalo Grove knows what it's achievement means.
"Advancing into the MSL Cup for a second-straight year is something that all of us will always have," began Hanus, whose been checking out the University of Illinois and Minnesota as possible landing spots next fall.
"Soccer is a religion to Llewellyn. He give us a lot of freedom, but he can pull the reins in on us really quick."
"His soccer IQ is way up there. He depends on us to play smart soccer, which we have to with the way he changes formations on the fly."
"This is a great group of players to have in my first year here," said Llewellyn, who retired from Hersey at the end of the last school year.
"They've worked hard, are willing to listen and make adjustments during the game, which is something we'll be prepared to do with Fremd, who will come prepared to play and will make us work for everything."
The reputation of Vikings manager Steve Keller, who demands plenty of his lads, was confirmed by both Jake Schoffstall and Dorian Lesiuk when each took a few minutes to talk about a 2018 campaign that saw the Vikings take a stranglehold on the division by opening with six victories and a draw before a 1-0 loss at Barrington stopped its MSL unbeaten streak.
"(Keller) is tough, but fair, plus he played the game in college, studies, and knows so much about the game," said Lesiuk. "So he will always have us ready. Then it's up to us after that."
The return of Lesiuk from club soccer, along with three of his mates, has supplied the Vikings with that little extra something needed to give them a chance at the silverware Thursday night.
"Playing for Sockers FC was a great experience, and we all learned a lot while there," Ldsiuk said. "But there's been little drop-off in high school soccer, and with the conference we play (in) and the nonconference games, there isn't much difference between club and high school.
"I am so happy to be playing for Fremd and to have a chance at winning a MSL title -- then later, a long run in the playoffs."
Lesiuk led the Vikings with 12 goals. Fellow club members Anthony Tambellini and Vince Daidone-Pavlovich added quality in a Vikings first 11 unmatched by most.
"There's a lot of talent on this team, but with so many new guys on the roster it's taken us awhile to come together as one strong unit," admitted Jake Schoffstall, one of 10 holdovers from a club that went 12-9-0 overall last season.
The Schoffstall family has sent four into the Vikings soccer program: beginning with Zach, who starred on the 2014 MSL championship club, and later the fourth place state team.
Luke Schoffstall hit the game-winner in the MSL Soccer Cup victory over Wheeling, followed Zach to Carthage to play soccer with his brother, before moving to Illinois State University, where he plays for the Redbirds club team.
Jake Schoffstall is a terrific central defender along with running mate Cole Jackson. The juniors have helped Artur Cholewa record (11) clean-sheets.
"Kaelen (Conway) and Jake Scesniak have been great all year as our outside backs," said Schoffstall, whose freshmen brother Eli is part of a second unit that is young, but rich in talent and could easily be starters on other clubs in and around the area.
"We've been fortunate to have a group of players who push one another every day," said Keller.
"The guys who don't get the starts (are) still ready to go, and fulfill their roles on the team, and it's nice to be able to bring players into the game, and have the level of play remain the same."
It's tough to crack that Vikings first 11.
Tambellini is an extraordinary playmaker. Sapiente is sharp in his role alongside Tambellini, while Daidone-Pavlovich, deployed just in front of the back four, is a high-percentage tackler and ball-winner.
Josh Bennett pushed the attack on the outside with relentless pace, while Joey Beaupre and Lesiuk form a dynamic duo up-top.
"Lesiuk has adapted well to playing striker. He is normally a midfielder. Vincent has been huge in the middle of the park," says Keller.
"Those two guys, plus Cholewa whose had a great season in goal for us, are three who have been pleasant surprises for us."
Keller, Lesiuk and Schoffstall all agree the 1-0 defeat at the hands of nationally ranked Naperville North signaled the coming-out game for the Vikings, who up until then had failed to play 80 strong minutes.
"That Naperville game was clearly the best we played all season," said Keller.
"The focus, intensity and soccer IQ were outstanding that day in a game that was great to watch. Now I hope we can get back to that level Thursday and when the playoffs begin."
Predicted Fremd first XI:
Josh Bennett, Joe Beaupre, Artur Cholewa (0.51 GAA), Kaelan Conway, Vince Daidone, Cole Jackson, Dorian Lesiuk (12 goals), Connor Sapiente, Jake Scesniak, Jake Schoffstall (4 goals), Anthony Tambellini.
Predicted Buffalo Grove first XI:
Shane Adams, Alex Berk (7 goals), Marcin Czaplinski, Kevin Eloiza (8 goals, 18 assists), Alexis Escobar, Brian Hanus, Ryan Kim, Christian Kozaczka, Jon Peici (10 goals), Brian Perez (12 assists), Adam Sempoch.
By Mike Garofola
Statistically, and from the benefit of the usual conveyer belt of talent afforded each team, Buffalo Grove and Fremd were clearly the best two clubs in the Mid-Suburban League this fall.
The division champs, Buffalo Grove from the East, and Fremd from the West, will contest the MSL Cup final at 7 p.m. Thursday at Grant Blaney Stadium.
Both sides went out in-front early on. Aside from late 1-0 defeats, each fought their way through one of the area's top leagues and into this climatic 42nd final, the longest running high school hampionship series in the state of Illinois.
Everything is set for what should be an entertaining and hard-fought soccer match. Each club have been on a steady upward climb, and both managers have so many options at his their disposal.
Buffalo Grove (14-4-1) and Fremd (11-4-1) are built from the back, but both are very dangerous, particularly in the midfield and attack.
A victory for the Bison would be a landmark for new manager Darren Llewellyn. After witnessing the 30-year reunion of the 1988 state championship team last Friday during a halftime celebration at Homecoming, the BG manager had this to say:
"How cool was it to bring back so many players from that '88 team ... the last team here to win a MSL championship. That's something I want by guys to experience on Thursday night."
That 1988 team featured future U.S. National Team, Columbus Crew and Fulham star, Brian McBride, who as a junior helped lead a talent laden Bison team past Naperville Central (3-0) to capture the big trophy.
Mike Steele, who founded the highly successful Elite Soccer Club was also key player on that team, which was led by long-time manager, John Erfort, whose 2004 team lost 1-0 in the final to Downers Grove South.
Erfort, who attended the Homecoming ceremony along with 11 of his former players, is one of the classiest managers in the history of northwest suburban soccer. He collected 316 victories during a career which spanned from 1976 to 2005.
Buffalo Grove enters the game Thursday night with the same record as it did a year ago when it lost to Barrington in a shootout.
Llewellyn's club was one win better than Fremd in the league table, claiming 10 victories against one loss, that 1-0 decision to the Vikings on September 20.
The 2017 Bison had a top-flight scorer (Kyle Adams) and an exceptional man between the sticks in Daniel Sempoch, as well as five other seniors who were starters in-then manager Brad Abel's first 11.
Eight players returned from that squad including all-state candidate Kevin Eloiza. Brian Hanus and Christian Kozaczka are BG's crackerjack central defenders along with impact performers Alex Berk, Ryan Kim and Jon Peici.
"(Ryan) and Alex have been huge for us in our midfield as has Brian Perez, who came back from club to give us another weapon in our attack. And what can you say about Peici?" said Kozaczka.
"Our midfield this year can possess, create, defend and really get us going either in the counter and with combination play," continued the senior, who wears the captain's armband along with Hanus.
"But Jon has just been out of sight," beamed Kozaczka.
Peici is a stone-cold finisher who has provided YouTube-worthy goals. Many of his 10 scores on the season were game-winners for the Bison.
"Jon is big, strong and faster than you think," said Llewellyn. "Plus he can strike a ball like no other."
Buffalo Grove knows what it's achievement means.
"Advancing into the MSL Cup for a second-straight year is something that all of us will always have," began Hanus, whose been checking out the University of Illinois and Minnesota as possible landing spots next fall.
"Soccer is a religion to Llewellyn. He give us a lot of freedom, but he can pull the reins in on us really quick."
"His soccer IQ is way up there. He depends on us to play smart soccer, which we have to with the way he changes formations on the fly."
"This is a great group of players to have in my first year here," said Llewellyn, who retired from Hersey at the end of the last school year.
"They've worked hard, are willing to listen and make adjustments during the game, which is something we'll be prepared to do with Fremd, who will come prepared to play and will make us work for everything."
The reputation of Vikings manager Steve Keller, who demands plenty of his lads, was confirmed by both Jake Schoffstall and Dorian Lesiuk when each took a few minutes to talk about a 2018 campaign that saw the Vikings take a stranglehold on the division by opening with six victories and a draw before a 1-0 loss at Barrington stopped its MSL unbeaten streak.
"(Keller) is tough, but fair, plus he played the game in college, studies, and knows so much about the game," said Lesiuk. "So he will always have us ready. Then it's up to us after that."
The return of Lesiuk from club soccer, along with three of his mates, has supplied the Vikings with that little extra something needed to give them a chance at the silverware Thursday night.
"Playing for Sockers FC was a great experience, and we all learned a lot while there," Ldsiuk said. "But there's been little drop-off in high school soccer, and with the conference we play (in) and the nonconference games, there isn't much difference between club and high school.
"I am so happy to be playing for Fremd and to have a chance at winning a MSL title -- then later, a long run in the playoffs."
Lesiuk led the Vikings with 12 goals. Fellow club members Anthony Tambellini and Vince Daidone-Pavlovich added quality in a Vikings first 11 unmatched by most.
"There's a lot of talent on this team, but with so many new guys on the roster it's taken us awhile to come together as one strong unit," admitted Jake Schoffstall, one of 10 holdovers from a club that went 12-9-0 overall last season.
The Schoffstall family has sent four into the Vikings soccer program: beginning with Zach, who starred on the 2014 MSL championship club, and later the fourth place state team.
Luke Schoffstall hit the game-winner in the MSL Soccer Cup victory over Wheeling, followed Zach to Carthage to play soccer with his brother, before moving to Illinois State University, where he plays for the Redbirds club team.
Jake Schoffstall is a terrific central defender along with running mate Cole Jackson. The juniors have helped Artur Cholewa record (11) clean-sheets.
"Kaelen (Conway) and Jake Scesniak have been great all year as our outside backs," said Schoffstall, whose freshmen brother Eli is part of a second unit that is young, but rich in talent and could easily be starters on other clubs in and around the area.
"We've been fortunate to have a group of players who push one another every day," said Keller.
"The guys who don't get the starts (are) still ready to go, and fulfill their roles on the team, and it's nice to be able to bring players into the game, and have the level of play remain the same."
It's tough to crack that Vikings first 11.
Tambellini is an extraordinary playmaker. Sapiente is sharp in his role alongside Tambellini, while Daidone-Pavlovich, deployed just in front of the back four, is a high-percentage tackler and ball-winner.
Josh Bennett pushed the attack on the outside with relentless pace, while Joey Beaupre and Lesiuk form a dynamic duo up-top.
"Lesiuk has adapted well to playing striker. He is normally a midfielder. Vincent has been huge in the middle of the park," says Keller.
"Those two guys, plus Cholewa whose had a great season in goal for us, are three who have been pleasant surprises for us."
Keller, Lesiuk and Schoffstall all agree the 1-0 defeat at the hands of nationally ranked Naperville North signaled the coming-out game for the Vikings, who up until then had failed to play 80 strong minutes.
"That Naperville game was clearly the best we played all season," said Keller.
"The focus, intensity and soccer IQ were outstanding that day in a game that was great to watch. Now I hope we can get back to that level Thursday and when the playoffs begin."
Predicted Fremd first XI:
Josh Bennett, Joe Beaupre, Artur Cholewa (0.51 GAA), Kaelan Conway, Vince Daidone, Cole Jackson, Dorian Lesiuk (12 goals), Connor Sapiente, Jake Scesniak, Jake Schoffstall (4 goals), Anthony Tambellini.
Predicted Buffalo Grove first XI:
Shane Adams, Alex Berk (7 goals), Marcin Czaplinski, Kevin Eloiza (8 goals, 18 assists), Alexis Escobar, Brian Hanus, Ryan Kim, Christian Kozaczka, Jon Peici (10 goals), Brian Perez (12 assists), Adam Sempoch.