League standings, Cardinal Cup
top issues when Hersey hosts Prospect
By Mike Garofola
After being on the climb for six weeks, Hersey finally reached the summit.
When Alex Ganekov's dramatic game-winner late in the second overtime session sent the Huskies faithful into orbit, it meant manager Mike Rusniak’s men went up and over high-flying Rolling Meadows to grab the top spot in the Mid-Suburban League East Division with its 2-1 victory Tuesday night.
Rolling Meadows, ranked seventh in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, lived up to its preseason hype but fell to the Huskies (8-2-1, 6-1-0) who now are one point (18-17) ahead of the Mustangs (10-1-2, 5-1-2).
However, this is no time to rest for Hersey. The Huskies play another important contest this evening at Roland Goins Stadium when they host division rival Prospect.
"We had a couple of tough games prior to Rolling Meadows," began Rusniak.
“(We) seemed to be stuck mentally thinking about our 1-0 loss to Barrington last Thursday, and also picked up a couple of injuries that kept players out for our next game with Lake Zurich two days later
"After our 2-0 loss at Lake Zurich, our captains Andrew Hamilton, Simon Hemenway, Charlie Shiffman, and Adrian Szumski did a great job getting the team to focus on (Meadows) and not our past two results."
"I cannot say enough about how great our captains have been with keeping the team connected and driving to accomplish our goals."
Hersey was hit hard with graduation losses following the 2021 spring season. Among a top-flight quartet of graduates was two-time Chicagoland Soccer all-stater Ronan Wilcox, who led the club to a 9-2-0 record which the fall version of the Huskies figured to be hard pressed to match or surpass.
"While it's true we lost four great players, and several others who were important players on our team, I never thought for a minute there would be a big drop-off in our play and ability to compete in the MSL this fall," said the classy veteran Hemenway.
"The reason for that in my opinion is the hard work and great work ethic on this team, and the desire to put in the extra work, not only in training but away from school to improve.
"The great leaders we had here last spring were great models to follow. They set the tone for excellence, and we all want to continue what they put in place."
Hemenway, who is playing with a broken nose, and chipped tooth, said there's a quote Wilcox left with him he still refers to.
"’Be comfortable being uncomfortable,’ meaning you need to push yourself not just physically but mentally also," continued the senior.
Rusniak agreed.
"Simon is 100 percent accurate about what has been a part of our success," says Rusniak.
"We knew that we would be almost a completely new team and would have to evolve and adapt in order to win games."
"Our attitude has been to outwork teams in every game. In every training session, there's been a level of intensity and competitiveness that has helped prepare us for each game. The boys continue to look forward and focus on the next game, and nothing beyond that."
The Huskies next game of course is against Prospect (8-3-2, 4-2-2, 14 points) which comes off its third overtime game in its last four fixtures, including a hard-fought and entertaining 0-0 draw with upstart Elk Grove this past Tuesday in Mt. Prospect.
"We obviously wanted to come away with three points tonight, but the effort in this game was terrific," said proud Prospect manager Mike Andrews following the Elk Grove contest. “The guys played hard for 100 minutes. In the end, you can't ask for much more than that.
"This team doesn't give in or panic, and it's one of many reasons for the season we've had thus far."
Senior Ari Kemperas, the Knights first-class defender and tri-captain for Andrews mirrored his counterpart Hemenway and never felt the 2021 fall version of Prospect soccer would fall to pieces, despite losing 12 to graduation.
"The new guys that came in this season showed right away they were willing to work," said Kemperas. “Right from the start, we developed great team chemistry which has helped carry us through the season.
"We were fortunate to have three players come back from club. Our backline, with David Marshall, Sam Heintz and Nick Casaletto has been a strength. So has our depth, and we also have an amazing keeper in Alejandro Rider-Leiner, who makes us that much stronger in the back."
"Ari is amazing," Andrews said. "He has started every game since his sophomore year, and he's a big-time leader on this team."
The addition of club players: Shea Morris, Ryan Novak and Owen Walsh no doubt added experience, strong soccer IQ and an immediate boost in overall talent, but Andrews says there's an influx of program players who have made a difference as well.
"After a couple of days of tryouts, we had an idea this team would be able to compete,” he said. “With Shea, Ryan and Owen, plus a dynamic group from our JV 1 team, the pieces were in place.
“The guys have worked hard and continue to do so to put us in a position to compete at a high level."
The Knights cannot afford to drop any more points from here on out in order to stay close to Hersey and Rolling Meadows, making tonight’s game its most important of the season.
The same can be said for the Huskies, who can remain atop the division heading into the final week of the regular season when Rusniak’s men will see Schaumburg, Fremd and then Buffalo Grove in their season finale.
"I expect tonight to be a great match to watch, and be a part of," said Rusniak.
"(Prospect) has had a great season, and has been in every one of their games just as we have. It seems each time we play one another, players on both teams bring their best game."
As if the game needed any more pressure, it will also decide the first winner of the Cardinal Cup.
The new travelling trophy was the brainchild of Rusniak, who named it after the school nickname of old Arlington High School, which closed in 1984.
After the shutdown Prospect, which opened in 1957 as a freshman campus for Arlington but became a full-fledged high school the next year, Hersey which opened its doors in 1968, and Rolling Meadows (1971) accepted displaced students from the shuttered school.
With its win over Rolling Meadows and Prospect’s tie with the Mustangs, Hersey can take first ownership of the prize with a win or tie. Prospect must win to take the Cardinal Cup home.
top issues when Hersey hosts Prospect
By Mike Garofola
After being on the climb for six weeks, Hersey finally reached the summit.
When Alex Ganekov's dramatic game-winner late in the second overtime session sent the Huskies faithful into orbit, it meant manager Mike Rusniak’s men went up and over high-flying Rolling Meadows to grab the top spot in the Mid-Suburban League East Division with its 2-1 victory Tuesday night.
Rolling Meadows, ranked seventh in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, lived up to its preseason hype but fell to the Huskies (8-2-1, 6-1-0) who now are one point (18-17) ahead of the Mustangs (10-1-2, 5-1-2).
However, this is no time to rest for Hersey. The Huskies play another important contest this evening at Roland Goins Stadium when they host division rival Prospect.
"We had a couple of tough games prior to Rolling Meadows," began Rusniak.
“(We) seemed to be stuck mentally thinking about our 1-0 loss to Barrington last Thursday, and also picked up a couple of injuries that kept players out for our next game with Lake Zurich two days later
"After our 2-0 loss at Lake Zurich, our captains Andrew Hamilton, Simon Hemenway, Charlie Shiffman, and Adrian Szumski did a great job getting the team to focus on (Meadows) and not our past two results."
"I cannot say enough about how great our captains have been with keeping the team connected and driving to accomplish our goals."
Hersey was hit hard with graduation losses following the 2021 spring season. Among a top-flight quartet of graduates was two-time Chicagoland Soccer all-stater Ronan Wilcox, who led the club to a 9-2-0 record which the fall version of the Huskies figured to be hard pressed to match or surpass.
"While it's true we lost four great players, and several others who were important players on our team, I never thought for a minute there would be a big drop-off in our play and ability to compete in the MSL this fall," said the classy veteran Hemenway.
"The reason for that in my opinion is the hard work and great work ethic on this team, and the desire to put in the extra work, not only in training but away from school to improve.
"The great leaders we had here last spring were great models to follow. They set the tone for excellence, and we all want to continue what they put in place."
Hemenway, who is playing with a broken nose, and chipped tooth, said there's a quote Wilcox left with him he still refers to.
"’Be comfortable being uncomfortable,’ meaning you need to push yourself not just physically but mentally also," continued the senior.
Rusniak agreed.
"Simon is 100 percent accurate about what has been a part of our success," says Rusniak.
"We knew that we would be almost a completely new team and would have to evolve and adapt in order to win games."
"Our attitude has been to outwork teams in every game. In every training session, there's been a level of intensity and competitiveness that has helped prepare us for each game. The boys continue to look forward and focus on the next game, and nothing beyond that."
The Huskies next game of course is against Prospect (8-3-2, 4-2-2, 14 points) which comes off its third overtime game in its last four fixtures, including a hard-fought and entertaining 0-0 draw with upstart Elk Grove this past Tuesday in Mt. Prospect.
"We obviously wanted to come away with three points tonight, but the effort in this game was terrific," said proud Prospect manager Mike Andrews following the Elk Grove contest. “The guys played hard for 100 minutes. In the end, you can't ask for much more than that.
"This team doesn't give in or panic, and it's one of many reasons for the season we've had thus far."
Senior Ari Kemperas, the Knights first-class defender and tri-captain for Andrews mirrored his counterpart Hemenway and never felt the 2021 fall version of Prospect soccer would fall to pieces, despite losing 12 to graduation.
"The new guys that came in this season showed right away they were willing to work," said Kemperas. “Right from the start, we developed great team chemistry which has helped carry us through the season.
"We were fortunate to have three players come back from club. Our backline, with David Marshall, Sam Heintz and Nick Casaletto has been a strength. So has our depth, and we also have an amazing keeper in Alejandro Rider-Leiner, who makes us that much stronger in the back."
"Ari is amazing," Andrews said. "He has started every game since his sophomore year, and he's a big-time leader on this team."
The addition of club players: Shea Morris, Ryan Novak and Owen Walsh no doubt added experience, strong soccer IQ and an immediate boost in overall talent, but Andrews says there's an influx of program players who have made a difference as well.
"After a couple of days of tryouts, we had an idea this team would be able to compete,” he said. “With Shea, Ryan and Owen, plus a dynamic group from our JV 1 team, the pieces were in place.
“The guys have worked hard and continue to do so to put us in a position to compete at a high level."
The Knights cannot afford to drop any more points from here on out in order to stay close to Hersey and Rolling Meadows, making tonight’s game its most important of the season.
The same can be said for the Huskies, who can remain atop the division heading into the final week of the regular season when Rusniak’s men will see Schaumburg, Fremd and then Buffalo Grove in their season finale.
"I expect tonight to be a great match to watch, and be a part of," said Rusniak.
"(Prospect) has had a great season, and has been in every one of their games just as we have. It seems each time we play one another, players on both teams bring their best game."
As if the game needed any more pressure, it will also decide the first winner of the Cardinal Cup.
The new travelling trophy was the brainchild of Rusniak, who named it after the school nickname of old Arlington High School, which closed in 1984.
After the shutdown Prospect, which opened in 1957 as a freshman campus for Arlington but became a full-fledged high school the next year, Hersey which opened its doors in 1968, and Rolling Meadows (1971) accepted displaced students from the shuttered school.
With its win over Rolling Meadows and Prospect’s tie with the Mustangs, Hersey can take first ownership of the prize with a win or tie. Prospect must win to take the Cardinal Cup home.