Fremd claims key Kinsella Cup decision
Since its launch in 1996, the Jimmy Kinsella Cup has produced some thrilling finishes between boys soccer rivals Fremd and Palatine to decide local bragging rights for another year.
Thursday night was more of the same.
The Vikings' unbeaten start in the Mid-Suburban League continued when Ben Poder drove home the game-winner in the 87th minute to silence the Pirates and their home crowd with a 3-2 victory at Chic Anderson Stadium.
Poder's short-range strike off a long throw from Zach Schoffstall keeps the Vikings (7-4-0, 3-0-0-9 points) just behind MSL West leader Schaumburg, which is 1 point clear of coach Steve Keller's club after a 4-2 victory over Conant on Thursday.
"We weren't anywhere near what we've been the last three games, but when you're playing Palatine and all of the guys you have grown up with, I guess it's fair to say the expectations for attractive, free-flowing soccer should not be expected," said Keller, whose team has won its last five matches.
"It was a real battle out there tonight," said Schoffstall, a four-year varsity veteran. "There really wasn't any time or space to do much at all, and it turned into a game of who would be better in set-piece and dead-ball chances. And tonight, it was us."
The teams traded first-half goals, Poder finishing with a superb touch in the first five minutes and Gavin Falotico pouring in the equalizer off a corner from Kevin Burke.
Tyler Curylo struck early into the second period with a lovely finish near the spot when he redirected another long throw from Burke past a diving Will Lefevre, who had no chance to turn away the well-paced shot.
"We had about 10, 12 minutes to kill off that 2-1 lead, but we couldn't do it with a bad foul and a great shot from No. 10 (Schoffstall) - and things didn't go very well for us after that," said Palatine coach Willie Filian. "We had our moments tonight and created a few half-chances, but to be honest I felt that Fremd had the better of it than we did. And maybe it was a case of heavy legs from our OT game the other night, coupled with another one tonight - who knows?"
While Keller wasn't as pleased with his own team's performance, the Vikings long-time head coach was pleased with the effort of the back line.
"I really liked what I saw from (Tomas) Peleckas, (Danny) Burton and Jacob Cuthbert," Keller said. "They were the unsung heroes for us from start to finish."
"Tomas and the boys were strong throughout, especially after we got back even," said Schoffstall.
After 80 minutes could not decide a winner, the first extra session opened with both clubs having quality chances to end the match.
Curylo was put through with a marvelous early ball from Alejandro Vital, allowing senior to get past Lefevre who came far off his line to challenge. However, Curylo's shot lacked enough pace to finish, and an alert Peleckas parried the shot away.
Schoffstall's side volley in close from a Rohan Menon helper went just over the bar moments later.
Poder made his presence immediately felt when Keller brought him on. He finished a long throw from Schoffstall which slipped through the gloves of keeper Dylan Ruzbasan inside the 6.
"It was an unfortunate situation, which of course is magnified because of where and when it happened, but that was not the reason we lost tonight," said Filian.
"Nerves and excitement kind of took control of this match tonight," Keller said. "And while you didn't see some of the best soccer from either of us, it still was very exciting for the crowd and the young players who were here tonight."