Prospect-Hersey meet in crucial MSL finale
By Mike Garofola
After nearly eight weeks of soccer, the final day of the regular season will decide the Mid-Suburban League East Division.
That's when Prospect (11-9-4, 5-3-2) travels to Hersey (10-5-3, 6-3-1) for a potential Soccer Bowl berth.
Hersey appeared to be in control over the rest of its rivals after a 4-0-0 start, but after a wobbly streak which included three bad losses, and a 1-1 draw with Rolling Meadows, the Huskies find themselves in a fight for top honors.
"We were a little shellshocked after that 6-0 loss to Barrington," admitted manager Mike Rusniak.
"We knew we were better that the result showed, so we had to regain our confidence on what we had accomplished, and created as a team before that three-game streak."
"I saw that in the next two games with Wheeling and Schaumburg we played with a sense of control and purpose, and with an edge of something to prove."
Rusniak will not use a run of injuries as an excuse for his team's fortunes, but the loss of star Laura Burckhardt has made its mark as has senior Emily Song absence. The pair wears captains' armbands as does Hannah Grawe.
"Both girls make an impact when they're on the field, and I know both are excited to get back on the field for us," said Rusniak.
Hersey will need to earn at the very least a draw to close out challengers Buffalo Grove and Prospect, but a victory will give the club more than the three points given for a win.
"Our juniors and seniors have always been in touch with our position in the standings, (not) so much for our youngers players," Said Rusniak. "I believe this game with Prospect will be a great one, and I know the girls are eager to play a divisional rival in such an important game for themselves and our program."
The young players Rusniak spoke of are six sophomores, led by Maddy Kim, Avery Larson, and Jane Stefaniak who play for the Aces Soccer Club, which won the 2018 under-15 U.S. Soccer President Cup National tournament.
Larson was the Golden Boot award winner at the tournament for being the top goal scorer.
Over at Prospect, it's been a mixed bag of results for the Lady Knights, who like the Huskies came out on their front foot. They played state powers New Trier and Fremd but then went off form and quickly fell behind Hersey.
"We too, have endured some injuries, but a jammed-packed schedule of late has been a little tough on us as well," said manager Tom Froats.
Since April 18, the Lady Knights have played every other day, with back-to-backs at its annual trip downstate to the Glenwood Titans Tournament, where they went 0-2-0.
"We were a little shorthanded at Glenwood last weekend, and our depth was tested, but we came out of it in pretty good shape and ready to go against Buffalo Grove on Monday," said Froats.
Prospect dominated play against the Bison and created countless chances before settling for a 1-1 draw.
The result kept both clubs four points behind Hersey, which they cut in half on Wednesday with 3-1 victories.
"That was a big win for us over Palatine, especially with it being on our Senior Night, and two days after that BG game. The girls recognized that we did so many things well but needed to be more focused on making that type of effort show up on the scoreboard."
One player who impressed not only Froats, but BG manager Pat Dudle was Ashley Welk.
The Lady Knights senior was dynamic in every facet of her play, including her trickery on the ball and ability to make something out of nothing for herself and others.
"Ashely is a special players, but even more so, a special person," began Froats.
"She combines a rare blend of talent, ability, hard work and class with a tremendously high soccer IQ.
"Ashley is part of an extra special senior class we have, who have been great leaders to our younger players, such as Hannah Mekky, Abby Knott and Karsen Keller, who are next in line for us."
Welk leads the club with 10 goals. Freshmen Mekky is next with nine; senior Ashley Adams, who is likely done for the season with a lower body injury, has eight.
"This game has become a winner-take-all for all of us. We need to win, then let the chips fall from there. Tto be in such an important game this late in the regular season is something the girls have worked very hard to have happen."
By Mike Garofola
After nearly eight weeks of soccer, the final day of the regular season will decide the Mid-Suburban League East Division.
That's when Prospect (11-9-4, 5-3-2) travels to Hersey (10-5-3, 6-3-1) for a potential Soccer Bowl berth.
Hersey appeared to be in control over the rest of its rivals after a 4-0-0 start, but after a wobbly streak which included three bad losses, and a 1-1 draw with Rolling Meadows, the Huskies find themselves in a fight for top honors.
"We were a little shellshocked after that 6-0 loss to Barrington," admitted manager Mike Rusniak.
"We knew we were better that the result showed, so we had to regain our confidence on what we had accomplished, and created as a team before that three-game streak."
"I saw that in the next two games with Wheeling and Schaumburg we played with a sense of control and purpose, and with an edge of something to prove."
Rusniak will not use a run of injuries as an excuse for his team's fortunes, but the loss of star Laura Burckhardt has made its mark as has senior Emily Song absence. The pair wears captains' armbands as does Hannah Grawe.
"Both girls make an impact when they're on the field, and I know both are excited to get back on the field for us," said Rusniak.
Hersey will need to earn at the very least a draw to close out challengers Buffalo Grove and Prospect, but a victory will give the club more than the three points given for a win.
"Our juniors and seniors have always been in touch with our position in the standings, (not) so much for our youngers players," Said Rusniak. "I believe this game with Prospect will be a great one, and I know the girls are eager to play a divisional rival in such an important game for themselves and our program."
The young players Rusniak spoke of are six sophomores, led by Maddy Kim, Avery Larson, and Jane Stefaniak who play for the Aces Soccer Club, which won the 2018 under-15 U.S. Soccer President Cup National tournament.
Larson was the Golden Boot award winner at the tournament for being the top goal scorer.
Over at Prospect, it's been a mixed bag of results for the Lady Knights, who like the Huskies came out on their front foot. They played state powers New Trier and Fremd but then went off form and quickly fell behind Hersey.
"We too, have endured some injuries, but a jammed-packed schedule of late has been a little tough on us as well," said manager Tom Froats.
Since April 18, the Lady Knights have played every other day, with back-to-backs at its annual trip downstate to the Glenwood Titans Tournament, where they went 0-2-0.
"We were a little shorthanded at Glenwood last weekend, and our depth was tested, but we came out of it in pretty good shape and ready to go against Buffalo Grove on Monday," said Froats.
Prospect dominated play against the Bison and created countless chances before settling for a 1-1 draw.
The result kept both clubs four points behind Hersey, which they cut in half on Wednesday with 3-1 victories.
"That was a big win for us over Palatine, especially with it being on our Senior Night, and two days after that BG game. The girls recognized that we did so many things well but needed to be more focused on making that type of effort show up on the scoreboard."
One player who impressed not only Froats, but BG manager Pat Dudle was Ashley Welk.
The Lady Knights senior was dynamic in every facet of her play, including her trickery on the ball and ability to make something out of nothing for herself and others.
"Ashely is a special players, but even more so, a special person," began Froats.
"She combines a rare blend of talent, ability, hard work and class with a tremendously high soccer IQ.
"Ashley is part of an extra special senior class we have, who have been great leaders to our younger players, such as Hannah Mekky, Abby Knott and Karsen Keller, who are next in line for us."
Welk leads the club with 10 goals. Freshmen Mekky is next with nine; senior Ashley Adams, who is likely done for the season with a lower body injury, has eight.
"This game has become a winner-take-all for all of us. We need to win, then let the chips fall from there. Tto be in such an important game this late in the regular season is something the girls have worked very hard to have happen."