Fremd ties up Barrington
One hundred minutes of soccer couldn't decide the victor Wednesday night between Mid-Suburban West rivals Barrington and Fremd.
The two sides hounded and hammered each other from all quarters throughout regulation and a pair of 10-minute extra sessions before ending in a 0-0 draw.
The result keeps the Fillies (8-1-1) still the only team in the division without a loss at 4-0-1 and 9 points, while the Vikings go to 5-1-1 overall, and 3-1-1 for 7 points in the MSL West.
"After just a terrible effort the other night at Schaumburg (in a 2-0 loss), tonight I saw the energy and effort that was missing, and although we still have a long way to go it was good to see the team find its way back and play the way it is capable of," said Fremd coach Steve Keller.
This closely played defensive battle featured few quality scoring chances in either end, despite two of top scoring strikers in the league in Elise Kotsakis (Fremd) and Emily Hyde (Barrington).
"Sarah Fox put her mark on the match tonight by not allowing (Kotsakis) not to get free anywhere near our end, and our backline was just right-on tonight, executing our defensive plan perfectly," said Barrington coach Ryan Stengren. "We were happy to come out of here with the draw, but we're still not satisfied with our overall effort."
The quartet of Amy Johnson, Emmelie Hirdes, Liz Sauer and Dana Kopp won a high percentage of tackles, whether in the air or on the turf, while staying organized for long spells to keep the hosts' attack in check.
Kotsakis got a touch between teammates Alexis Tice and Jennifer Freeman at 10 minutes, but a Freeman serve was pulled out of the air with confidence by Fillies keeper Kelly Petersen. Nicole Leginski also had a go at Petersen after the break to record the two best chances by the Vikings until a free kick from Danielle Romano just ahead of regulation.
"When Barrington did create its chances, they were more dangerous than we were, and I told (Stengren), with that, they had the better run of play on the night," said Keller.
When the Fillies came forward, they did so with an extra gear, finding Hyde and freshmen Molly Pfeiffer, with Catie Curran, Caroline Condon and Fox helping stage the attack.
"(They) ran at us with so much speed, more than we've seen all year," said Fremd senior defender Kathleen Holmberg of the Fillies' frontline.
Holmberg and her teammates along the back could thank keeper Allison Norenberg for her superb work near the break, when the senior sailed high into the air to turn away a close-range blast from Hyde, who then watched moments later as Fox helped Sara Condon nearly get into the back of the net from the right side.
Crystal Rohan, Tice, Leginski and Michelle Mottonen had plenty of pace during OT, but not enough to pull off a much-needed victory to help get the Vikings get closer in the MSL West race.
"It wasn't the prettiest game out there tonight, and it played out a little more defensive than I thought, but the tie probably helped us a little more than Fremd, and we still control our own destiny from here on out," said Hirdes.
Rolling Meadows 3, Hoffman Estates 1: Alex Partipilo scored twice, giving her 10 for the season, and assisted on a goal by Annie Lynch as the visiting Mustangs (6-5) earned an MSL crossover win. Kelsey Lukowicz scored with 31 seconds left to spoil the shutout from Meadows' Emily Haeger (5 saves).
Elk Grove 3, Buffalo Grove 0: Katie Naughton had an unassisted goal and Kelli Hubly assisted on two others to help the host Grenadiers improve to 2-2 in the MSL East. Nicole Ricci made 5 saves to earn the shutout.
Schaumburg 3, Hersey 1: Kelsey Steenstrup scored twice, both times with assists from Ali Schmalz, to lift the visiting Saxons to an MSL crossover victory. Brooke Schocker made 6 saves for the Saxons. Andrea Perkins scored Hersey's goal.
Conant 1, Wheeling 0 (2 OT): Alyssa Altosino corraled a loose ball in a tightly-bunched Wheeling defensive unit and scored the game's only goal with about two minutes left in the second overtime.
Prospect 0, Palatine 0: Neither team found the net in a scoreless tie in Palatine.