Soccerfest breaks in Schaumburg's new turf

Soccerfest wrapped up its fifth annual tournament over the weekend in Schaumburg, drawing more than 3,500 players or 244 travel teams from the Northwest suburbs.

But the three-day event also lodged another milestone: it was the first tournament played on the Schaumburg Park District's brand new all-weather turf fields, which opened earlier this summer.

"The addition of the turf fields make this tournament one of the premier events in the area," said Aaron Kelly, tournament director.

Of the 18 fields in play during the three-day event, six were turf fields.

While players said the artificial turf was at times hot on their feet and reflected the weekend's heat, they generally gave the fields rave reviews.

"It's nice and flat, and there are no dips in the grass, so the play is a lot faster," said Zach Rowe, 13, of Barrington, whose Ela Travel Soccer team defeated Johnsburg to win the boys' under-14 division. "And we like to play fast."

Likewise, the under-19 girls' team from Hampshire, heading into the championship game against Evanston, liked their chances playing on the new field.

"It just feels so much more official," said center midfielder, Kelly Plichta, 17, of Hampshire.

Boys and girls' teams came from throughout northwest Cook, southern Lake and the Fox Valley areas to play, including teams from: Algonquin, Arlington Heights, Cary, Crystal Lake, Buffalo Grove, Hampshire, Johnsburg, Lake in the Hills, Lake Zurich, McHenry, Rolling Meadows and Schaumburg.

Schaumburg's under-16 Cosmos won their division, edging the Fox Valley Strikers in the championship game.

"It was amazing playing on brand new fields," said Elizabeth Tapia, 15, of Hanover Park.

Her teammate, Bailey McNamara, 15, of Hoffman Estates, concurred, saying the team played better on their home field after coming in second last week in Milwaukee.

"It just really feels good to win our own tournament," McNamara said.

Members of the Schaumburg Athletic Association's Travel Soccer program hosted the event. An estimated 8,000 people attended the three-day event.

"You see so many families here, and with the playground and jumping attractions, it feels kind of like a festival atmosphere," Kelly added. "It's our club's largest fundraiser, but it's good for the whole community."