Cooney, Prospect wrap up MSL Cup appearance

Bill Cooney can’t stop scoring, Prospect’s boys soccer team can’t stop winning — and now the Knights can count on an appearance in the MSL Cup next month.

On Wednesday afternoon the Knights (13-0-2, 7-0-1) beat visiting Conant 2-0 on a soggy pitch in Mt. Prospect to advance into the championship match for the third time in program history.

“We have now officially met one of our goals as a team,” said Prospect coach Kurt Trenkle with a wide smile after his team another 3 points to ensure its closest rival, Buffalo Grove, would be unable to overtake his club for the top spot in the MSL East.

“It maybe wasn’t the prettiest soccer you’ll see because of the conditions from all of the rain, but as we have all season long, we got the job done. And in a busy week of soccer, we were able to clinch our division and take care of business.

“It feels great to be going to the MSL Cup,” said a grinning Cooney. “I can’t say that I would have thought we would be undefeated this late in the season, but I do know that going in, and with the group of players that we have, that we had a great chance to win the (East) and play for a conference championship.”

The Cougars, beset with countless injuries all season long, including a season-ending broken ankle to one of its top defenders, Curtis King, continued to fight adversity a day after falling 3-2 in OT on the road to Fremd.

“We fought so hard last night against Fremd, and today, we put up another good fight, despite being shorthanded, but in the end, it wasn’t enough, as we still are having trouble getting into the back of the net,” said Conant coach Jason Franco.

The Cougars are 5-8-3 overall, 3-5-1 in the MSL, and have scored 3 goals in their last 7 matches.

“Losing (Curtis) for the rest of the year really put a dent in our back line, and it seems like it’s just one injury after another for us lately,” said Cougars defensive standout Dan Ruzich, who lost teammate Billy Belmonte to injury at 22 minutes after a 50-50 challenge with Knights striker Richard Lenke sent both players to the turf.

Up until that moment, the match was evenly played, with both sides generating scoring chances — but with precious little sustained possession as the all the rain from the past few days wreaked havoc on nearly every player’s touch.

Cooney and Alex Schnef worked some magic up the right side, which resulted in a shot from Schnef sailing wide and over Cougars keeper Sean Cox to help awaken the Knights’ attack at 19 minutes. Moments later, off the counter, Cougars leading scorer Nathan Cornell nearly broke free but was ultimately denied thanks to a terrific tackle from Matthew Burikas.

Cooney bent a free kick through a Conant four-man wall and forced Cox into a save in the 24th minute. But Prospect’s senior knew exactly what to do when Joe Tuczak put him through two minutes from intermission — namely, to drive a pace-filled low shot into the back of the net for his league-high 17th goal.

“It’s tough to give up a goal just before the half, but I thought we came out with a lot of energy after the break, and certainly created some opportunities, but we were unable to put anything in the net or on frame,” said Franco.

Trenkle brought on senior Christian Talbot in relief of stellar senior Brad Reibel for the second half, and the back-up keeper was instantly put under pressure by the visitors. If not for the play of Burikas, Conor O’Leary and Ethan Graven, the Cougars’ chances to equalize in the first 10 minutes would have been greater.

Zach Conrad shot wide of Talbot, and Cornell got past his mark down the right side before serving over the bar.

After Ruzich headed at Talbot in the 50th minute, the Knights settled things down and started to enjoy some better possession through the middle, while keeping their guests’ touches to a minimum in the Prospect end.

Lenke doubled the Knights’ lead, when he collected a well-placed ball from Cooney against the run of play, and fired past Cox with an exquisite touch.

“It wasn’t easy out there today, but we got the win that we needed and wanted, and I am very happy for the guys, with all of the work they have put in to reach the MSL Cup,” said Trenkle.

Prospect is still awaiting its MSL West opponent for the Oct. 13 match.