Hoffman Estates ties up MSL East champ Hersey
After booking its place in next week's annual Mid-Suburban League Soccer Cup, the next order of business for East champion Hersey was to stay healthy and win its regular season finale Wednesday night at home.
The Huskies (10-5-3, 7-2-2) left its match with visiting Hoffman Estates (7-5-4, 2-5-3) with good health, however only with a draw, and not a victory.
Colleen Thomas drew the Hawks even with a goal in the 71st minute and the two sides were unable to find the back of the net in two extra sessions to end this MSL crossover match 1-1 on a rainy night in Arlington Heights.
Hoffman will move on to Palatine for three tournament matches this weekend, while the Huskies begin preparation for their championship match against the MSL West champion on their home pitch in one week.
"Obviously we are a little disappointed with our result tonight," began Hersey coach Brad Abel. "It was a first-half filled with missed chances and opportunities, and we cannot do those types of things against whoever our opponent will be in the Cup next week."
Both coaches agreed it was one-way traffic in favor of the home side which dominated play in the first 40 minutes, fueled by the Huskies ability to win nearly every 50-50 ball all over the pitch, while creating plenty of dead-ball and set-piece situations which this club has made a living at doing all season long.
"(We) did have so many corners and free-kick (chances) but we converted only one and I'll take responsibilty for not providing better balls for my teammates to try to do something with," said Huskies' co-captain and defensive leader Kristen Gierman.
Gierman hit a well-struck corner low to the ground to the back post where Eileen Zydek had enough time to collect and settle before slotting the first goal of the match at 24 minutes.
Up until then, and all throughtout the half, Zydek, Gierman, Claire Poelking and Andrea Perkins were water-tight along the back while denying the Hawks 1-2 scoring punch of Chrissy Tooren and Leah Tednes the chance to work the same type of magic which has resulted in the duo striking for a combined 19 goals on the season.
"(Their) backline is so big and strong, and they play very well together as a unit, that it makes it tough to get in and behind them," offered Hawks coach Rob Schmidt.
Schmidt must have wondered if his club would ever get inside the Huskies' 18 to challenge keeper Julia Fredian. It wasn't until Megan Evans had a go on frame near the hour mark did the visitors attack awaken.
With new-found confidence, the Hawks began to cause problems in the Huskies end, and from the Evans shot until the end of regulation, it was clear the Hawks had the better run of play.
"There's a reason that Hersey is going on to play for the MSL championship next week, and I am really proud that our girls played hard, created chances and likely outplayed the division champs," said Schmidt.
Thomas was able to score after a scrum around the 6-yard box initiated by Tooren and Tednes led to a loose ball and open net for the sophomore to pounce on.
"We'll go back and regroup and look forward to getting some quality training sessions in before next Wednesday," said Abel.