Fremd delivers postseason victory over Mundelein
No. 18 Fremd (7-9-3) broke loose with 4 first-half goals, then cruised to a 5-0 win over No. 16 Mundelein on Saturday in a Class 3A boys soccer regional quarterfinal in Palatine.
The victory sends the Vikings into second-round play against No. 1 seed and cross-town rival Palatine in Tuesday's 4 p.m. regional semifinal at Mundelein.
"Today we came out with the type of energy and intensity needed during this time of the season," said Fremd coach Steve Keller, who late on Friday learned this match would be played on the Vikings home pitch to help preserve the natural grass at Mundelein for three matches next week.
"Garrett Peters, Alex Prelipceanu and Alex Bochat played very well as a unit along the back, and we were able to score (that) early goal which helped set the tone for the rest of the match."
Brian Hindle would strike what would be the eventual game-winner after just five minutes with a swerving corner that found its way into the back of the net.
"The way we have been struggling of late, we could least afford to give up an early goal (like that) one, which did a real number on our confidence," said Mustangs coach Dave Ekstrom.
The first half belonged to the Vikings after the Hindle goal.
While the Mustangs (5-12-4) had trouble with possession in the middle, making top scorer Eder Alcantar (11 goals) nearly invisible, it was the backline of Zach Guthrie, Robbie Munnings and Nate Brune that saw the ball much too often as the trio did its best to slow the Vikings in its own end in front of keeper Javier Ramirez.
Ramirez chased and stopped a trio of short-range shots inside the 6-yard box before Spencer Filosa had the vision and composure to chip the fallen keeper and make it 2-0 in the 21st minute.
It was one-way traffic afterward, with the Vikings' Filosa, Hindle, Mike Heika and Lorenzo Savino each taking turns weaving around and through their opponents.
Heika was given what had to feel like an eternity before loading up a left-footed blast from 12 yards that Ramirez turned around the back post. But moments later, with a second chance in close, the senior whistled his shot off the outstretched left glove of Ramirez to increase the Vikings' lead at the half-hour mark.
Jake Nedza ended the first half with a late goal, with Filosa recording the helper, while teammate Nick Tambellini would end the scoring at 70 minutes.
Jeff Pearson, Eric Ciura and Jeff Vasuden would all share the shutout for the Vikings, with Vasuden helping preserve it all with 3 saves in his 20 minutes of work, the best coming on a well-struck shot from Nico Monroy.
"We didn't come ready to play today, and Fremd did," said Ekstrom. "They are a much better team than their No. 18 seed, and they showed how much they wanted this match with solid play on both sides of the ball."
Glenbrook N. 2, Meadows 1: Chad Silver's goal in the third overtime gave host Glenbrook North the regional quarterfinal win over visiting Rolling Meadows.
Hoffman Estates 4, Proviso West 0: Shisue Zerihun and Brad Powszok both scored once and had 2 assists as the Hawks picked up a decisive victory in Wheaton North regional quarterfinal play. Luis Vargas and Rejna Oishi also scored for the Hawks.
Correction: Scott Faul was the St. Viator goalkeeper in its 2-0 win over Benet on Friday.