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Boys soccer: Fremd blanks Streamwood for 3rd

There may not be a Class 3A state title coming home to Fremd to conclude its 20-win season, but senior Zach Schoffstall sure made the most of the Vikings' third-place finish Saturday.

In Fremd's 4-0 win over Streamwood during the state boys soccer finals at Hoffman Estates High School, the midfielder's hat trick found its way into the record books in Class 3A, as his 3 goals broke former Viking Brian Hindle's record of 2 in the 2011 semifinals against Naperville Central. Schoffstall's 4 in total from the two state tournament games is the most by anyone in Class 3A, as it also broke Hindle's tournament total of 3 from 2011. Schoffstall ranks second behind Chicago Mather's Qudos Lawal, who scored 4 in one game in the 2012 Class 2A finals and totaled 5 for that tournament.

And although the Vikings didn't get the 6 goals that would have given each Viking chocolate cake from Portillos, Schoffstall's the only one who's still going to get his cake and like it, too.

"He'll get his cake, he'll get a piece of cake," said Fremd coach Steve Keller, who added more to Schoffstall's record-setting performance.

"I saw a different person kind of step up and really take command of the team and encourage guys on and be that guy that kind of willed them to victory," Keller said. "He was walking off at halftime and the words out of his mouth was 'guys, this is the worst lead to have; 2-0 is not good, we got to go.' And to come into a third place game and to have that kind of says it all."

While Streamwood finished with its first state trophy, amassing a final record of 17-7-2, Fremd came home with its third, third-place finish since Keller took over in 1998. And there was no doubt from the start that Fremd smelled blood in the water as it scored 2 goals in each half, which included a goal from Danny Burton with just 1:37 left and Jacob Cuthbert with the lone assist.

"We had it in the back of our minds that maybe they'd come out a little flat since they got beat 4-0," the Vikings' Tomas Peleckas said of Streamwood. " We came out and scored those first goals after that it was pretty easy from then on."

Schoffstall started matters with a penalty kick in the 16th minute after being tripped up in the box. His second goal came on a laser down the right seam unassisted and using the words he told the team at halftime up 2-0, Schoffstall capitalized on a Sabre foul that allowed the Vikings to set up a free kick from nearly six yards out that broke the single game and tournament record.

"I don't know how to really describe it but it's one of the better feelings definitely," Schoffstall said. "I think the momentum switched after we scored the first goal, I think we just kept rolling, I think everyone wanted to score a goal in that game."

Fremd, which finished 20-6-1, was never doubted by Keller after losing Friday even though the Vikings were visibly upset losing to eventual state champ Hinsdale Central.

"We had one more game and I think there's good senior leadership, they wanted to go out on a win. It wasn't much I needed to say, really," Keller said. "I'm very happy for the group and what they've accomplished and a wonderful way for our 10 seniors to round out their season. We're going to be a team at the end of the year to be reckoned with and I think that's why everyone plays the game."

Streamwood on the other hand was just proud to be included as one of the four teams left standing in Class 3A. The skeptics didn't have the Sabres at Hoffman Estates in the state series due to their roster turnover from 2013 but Streamwood can still hold its head high despite being outscored 8-0 in the final 2 games, its last to Streamwood coach and 1994 Fremd graduate, Matt Polovin.

"Absolutely 100 percent super proud of these guys, despite the result," Polovin said. "From (where) we started at the beginning of the season where everyone pretty much had doubt about us, to playing in the state finals and taking fourth place, I told the guys there's probably 300 other teams in the state who would love to be in our position right now."

The red card senior defender Christian Balbino drew Friday was a clear indicator that Streamwood was missing defense and leadership. Balbino would mark the opposing team's best striker and without him the Sabres didn't have the same cohesiveness or camaraderie. The Vikings owned a 21-7 shot edge, as Streamwood was outshot 14-7 on goal.

"It was big, he really helps guard some of the bigger guys around and one of the more aggressive guys to go out there," defender Mike Delaney said. "Losing him was pretty big and our mentality was trying to get someone to play his position which they hadn't played in a while which was kind of difficult."

  Fremd's Daniel Burton is surrounded by teammates after his goal against Streamwood Saturday in the IHSA Class 3A 3rd place boys soccer game at Hoffman Estates High School. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Fremd's Zach Schoffstall is surrounded by teammates after his second half goal against Streamwood Saturday in the IHSA Class 3A 3rd place boys soccer game at Hoffman Estates High School. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Streamwood's Mike Delaney and goalkeeper Sergio Blanco both try to get the ball against Fremd Saturday in the IHSA Class 3A 3rd place boys soccer game at Hoffman Estates High School. A penalty was called on the play and Fremd scored on the penalty kick. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Fremd's Daniel Burton takes a shot against Streamwood goalie Sergio Blanco Saturday in the IHSA Class 3A 3rd place boys soccer game at Hoffman Estates High School. He got the shot past for the goal in the second half. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Streamwood's Ivan Gonzalez and Fremd's Jacob Cuthbert compete for a header Saturday in the IHSA Class 3A 3rd place boys soccer game at Hoffman Estates High School. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Streamwood's Blerim Shoboni gets the ball around Fremd's Luke Kosacz Saturday in the IHSA Class 3A 3rd place boys soccer game at Hoffman Estates High School. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
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