Scouting the 26th MSL Soccer Cup

Scouting the 26th MSL Soccer Cup

Barrington ( 15-1-3) vs. Hersey (13-4-2)Where: Roland Goins Stadium (at Hersey)

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday

History lesson: The Fillies continue to set records in this long-standing championship series between the Mid-Suburban League's divisional winners. Barrington makes an unprecedented fourth consecutive appearance here, exceeding the three-year run from Elk Grove under Tony Kees (2000, '01) and Dan Klaus.

"I couldn't be happier for our three seniors (Jenna Szczesny, Hannah Luedtke, Megan Fox) who have been here from the very start of our run, and who have also set the example for others to continue the tradition we have here," says Barrington coach Ryan Stengren.

Last year, the Fillies used an early strike from Szczesny to fuel an impressive 3-0 win on their home pitch to give the program its seventh conference crown in program history and a fifth under Stengren, who has more championship trophies than any other coach in the history of the MSL.

"The great thing about this team is (it) isn't caught up in records and what's happened before," Stengren said. "They respect the past, but for them, it's just one game at a time, and about the journey to reach certain goals we've set."

Hersey coach Darren Llewellyn, too, has his fair share of titles from the boys program, including three straight and four overall during a marvelous 10-year career to date.

Last season, the Huskies sprung the biggest surprise of all by stunning defending division champ and state-ranked Buffalo Grove to reach the finals, with NIU-bound star Lauren Gierman the clear star of that championship club.

"There's nobody like (Gierman) on our roster this year," said Llewellyn, "but we have what Sara (Magnuson) and Kayla (Knauss) both said is great team chemistry, and that will take a team a long, long way."

Since Stengren's first title in 2006, these two sides have dominated the Soccer Cup headlines with eight appearances between them. Brad Abel led Hersey to its first-ever final back in 2005, falling that year to a Paul Keenan-coached Fillies team which later advanced into the Elite Eight under the old two-class system.

Who to watchBarrington: Jenna Szczesny (Sr, F, 27g, 8a), Hannah Luedtke (Sr, GK, 0.42, 9 shutouts), Megan Fox (Sr, MF), Jackie Batliner (So, D, 5g), Kelsey Muniz (Sr, MF-F), Soph Spinell (So, MF-F, 5g,8a), Kayla Schutter (So, MF-F,7a).

Hersey: Kayla Knauss (Sr, D), Sara Magnuson (Sr, D-MF, 8a), Annie Korff (Sr, D), Abby Wendell (Sr, MF, 5g), Jessica Schmidt (Sr, F, 9g), Claire Gritt (So, GK, 0.70, 9 shutouts), Grace Kozurek (So, MF, 6g, 7a).

The lowdownBarrington: It all goes through the powerhouse all-state striker Szczesny, who is without a doubt one of the top players at her position in the state. Last year's all-area captain is dangerous with and without the ball, and will draw a crowd of defenders. Fox is unselfish, creative and plays with a lot of spirit, giving her team plenty of energy at midfield.

There are few who possess both the tactical acumen of Hannah Luedtke between the sticks, and along with the back line of Batliner, Kayla Keck, Haley Tausend and junior Lauren Pircher, you'd be hard-pressed to match this unit for its speed, effeciency in the tackle, and 50-50 ability in the air.

The return of a healthy Ann Marie Niro cannot be understated, for her playmaking skills alone. Meanwhile, the future of the Fillies is already here in Spinell, Schutter, Anna Brodjian, Maesyn Poldomani and a generally young group which helps put some more bite in the Barrington attack.

"It's a fun group to coach because they never stop working at getting better, and it's the way they for each other that makes me happy and proud to be their head coach," says Stengren.

Hersey: Defense is once again Hersey's calling card. Sophomore keeper Claire Gritt and another fine back line are carrying on a long-standing tradition of stingy play. During the Huskies' run to the MSL Soccer Cup last season, Llewellyn's team conceded zero goals during league play, then came back this year, with a new keeper, defender, and several other newcomers to allow just 3 goals against the league.

"This team just loves to compete, and their work rate and willingness to just fight like warriors for 80 minutes is something that I enjoy being around, as well a part of," Llewellyn said.

While this club doesn't have the equivalent of an offensive standout such as Gierman, what it does have are several who can defend at an elite level, then quickly jump into the fray going forward in the counterattack.

Llewellyn will likely open with a lone forward up top (Schmidt) in a modified 4-5-1, in which he asks a lot of his outside players (Kozurek and Kelly Weyhrich) to run up and down the flank, defending and attacking as required. Both have done well within the Huskies' system, as has Wendell, who pulls the strings in the attack from the middle but is also highly adept at defending along with with senior Emma Slosar, the Huskies defensive midfielder.

"To have seniors such as (Kayla) Knauss, a tough competitor, and the ultimate positive leader, along with Sara Magnuson, who'll play anywhere we need her, plus Annie Korff, who competes at such a high level, and just hates to lose, it's no surprise to me this team has great team unity," Llewellyn said. "They enjoy being in this type of game, and they do not fear playing anyone at any time."

They said itRyan Stengren (8th season, 149-37-15): "Darren and both his girls and boys programs are amazing. Year in and year out they are the most organized, and disciplined opponents we play. They defend so well, and seem to really embrace the concept of team defending. I fully expect them to park their team bus along the back, and dare us to break through. If we can come out in full attack mode and score early, then we'll force them to come out their shell. Then the game will open up for sure, and that will be to our advantage."

Darren Llewellyn (2nd season, 29-10-3): "It's a tough question to answer, as to what to do in order to beat Barrington. They're loaded with talent, and you have to be impressed with their overall depth. We'll have to win the free balls, contain the dribbler play wisely behind the ball and not give up the big powerful run to their awesome forwards. If we can figure out our rotations early and then adjust our shape in the back and attacking runs, then our chances will improve for success."

- Mike Garofola