Girls soccer supersectional preview
Class 3A
At Barrington: Barrington (20-3-3) vs. Conant (18-1-4), 7 p.m.
Previous meeting this season: Conant 1, Barrington 0
How they got here: The Fillies stopped all-state candidate Aimee Wronski and defeated state-ranked Huntley 3-0 to win the Jacobs sectional. Junior Amy Johnson recorded helpers on all 3 goals. An early goal from senior Alyssa Stylski held up for the Cougars in a 1-0 victory over Geneva for the Bartlett sectional crown.
Players to watch: Barrington: Mary Kubiak (Sr.; F, 28 goals, 9 assists), Kate Hasse (Sr., MF), Carolin Condon (Jr., MF, 9 goals, 7 assists), Amy Johnson (Jr., D, 12 assists), Emmelie Hirdes (So., D), Emily Hyde (So., F, 11 goals, 14 assists), Kelly Pedersen (Jr., GK, 0.66 goals against average)
Conant: Alyssa Stlyski (Sr., F); Courtney Raetzman (Fr., MF, 11 goals); Emma Loos (Sr., D); Brenna Fitzpatrick (Jr., MF); Lauren Jason (Sr., F, 10 goals); Becky Knoll (Sr., MF); Kelsey Foss (Fr., D).
Touchline talk
"Playing at home and on our turf is an advantage that we would like to (use) ... but what we really need to do is to play our game the way we have been, continue to defend well as a team, and find our people up top who know how to score."
- Ryan Stengren, Barrington coach
"We're obviously concerned about how the way (Barrington) shut down Wronski from Huntley and the way they've been scoring during the postseason. But we're not going to hold (back) and just sit-in, because we have some very good players who can go forward and be dangerous as well."
- Jason Franco, Conant coach
Advancement: Winner meets winner of Fremd-New Trier match Friday at 7 p.m. in Class AAA state semifinal match at North Central College in Naperville.
At Niles West: Fremd (18-4-1) vs. New Trier (18-4-1)
Previous meeting this season: New Trier 4, Fremd 1
How they got here: On the strength of airtight defense and superb work from GK Allison Norenberg, the Vikings stopped favored Glenbrook South in penalty kicks shootout to win the Libertyille sectional championship. New Trier ended cross-town rival Loyola's 10-game winning streak with a 2-1 overtime victory at the Evanston sectional.
Players to watch: Fremd: Laura Mayer (Sr., F, 12 goals, 13 assists); Danielle Romano (Jr., D); Allison Norenberg (Jr., GK, 0.84); Kaitlyn Kinsella (Sr., MF); Kathleen Holmburg (Jr., D); Alexis Tice (Jr., MF); Elise Kotsakis (So., F, 8 goals); New Trier: Amber Fry (Jr., F, 24 goals, 13 assists); Dani Fraelick (Jr., F, 13 goals); Lauren Mathy (Sr., MF, 13 assists); Sami O'Dwyer (Sr., D), Lauren Pope (Jr., D).
Touchline talk:
"The final score wasn't indicative of how we played or how even both sides were when we played (there) in our final regulation season match. We scored (first) but a couple of mistakes on crosses (cost) us, and we didn't capitalize on our chances. New Trier is physical, well-coached and always plays very hard. But we'll bring the intensity needed to compete with them tonight."
- Fremd coach Steve Keller
- Mike Garofola
Class 2A
At Barrington: Lakes (16-7-1) vs. Wheaton Academy (19-3-2), 5 p.m.
About Lakes: The Eagles are seeking to make more history for a school in its fourth year as a varsity program. Lakes won the school's first sectional title with a 5-0 shutout of Ridgewood on Friday. The Eagles have won five straight games, outscoring their opponents 20-3, including 3 shutouts. During the recent stretch of victories, Lakes has pulled together to play its best soccer of the season. Junior Ashley Chernich leads the Eagles with 16 goals and 5 assists, while junior Michelle Kosmen has 10 goals and 5 assists. Other key players include Alyssa Baker, Sara Bartlett, Ashley Downing, Emily Mason, Brittany Mooney and Kristina Umlauf.
- Rusty Silber