Filian, Palatine stun Hersey
Nearly one week ago, Hersey was on top of the Mid-Suburban League girls soccer world when the Huskies lifted the championship trophy after defeating favored Conant in the 22nd MSL Soccer Cup.
Tuesday afternoon the season ended abruptly for the No. 4 Huskies when regional host Palatine stunned Hersey 1-0 in the tournament opener for both sides.
Amanda Filian produced the game-winner at 22 minutes, and her teammates kept up the pressure for 80 minutes — allowing just a few chances for the league champions who were upset by the No. 13 Pirates (13-9-2).
The Pirates host No. 10 Buffalo Grove on Saturday after the Bison shocked No. 5 Glenbrook South 2-1 in a shootout late Tuesday evening at Chic Anderson Field.
“It somehow doesn’t seem fair to have our conference champ out of the state tournament so soon after having such a memorable night last week,” said Palatine coach Willie Filian after the match. “The MSL is so tough, and all of us go at each other and beat each other up during the regular season. Then we have to play one of our closest rivals right away, and that’s a very difficult thing for any of us to do.
“Today we were fortunate to score 1 goal, then make it hold up with some terrific work from our backline of Kellie Strauss, Alexis Dejulio and Taylor Harding — who made it really difficult for Hersey to get anything going, to help us get this win and advance on to play another day.”
With a strong wind at their backs, the Pirates looked to take advantage by creating plenty of dead-ball and set pieces. When the Pirates recorded their third corner of the match, it proved to be the charm when Filian ran onto the inward swinging serve at the back post.
“The key to this match was for us to score first, then defend like crazy, and outwork your opponent,” said the two-time all-area senior Filian. “We’re not the most technically gifted team, but we know what we can and cannot do. We knew (coming) in how important it was (not) to allow Hersey to be the first to score, because they are so good at defending a lead and dropping extra players to make it difficult for an opponent to get in on them.”
The first half ended without the Huskies (14-6-1) looking like the attacking force they have been of late, due to the Pirates’ ability to keep the ball away from Hersey freshmen Lauren Gierman — who directs the offense from her place in the center of the park.
Both Filian and Kaitlyn Burke took turns staying close to the the Huskies midfielder, with Filian who would be the disruptive force.
“We went from a 4-4-1 (in) the first half, to a 3-5-2 with the hope of generating more in our attack after the break, but Palatine did a great job in the midfield today, and although we came out flat, it was (still) the strong play from start to finish by Willie’s team that was the difference,” said Hersey coach Brad Abel.
Pirates junior keeper Meghan Ellis was severely tested in the 72nd minute when her point-blank stop off Gierman’s one-timer off Gina Giancola’s pinpoint flip kept the Huskies off the scoreboard.
“One game does not define an entire season,” Abel said. “I cannot tell you how proud I am of this entire team, and how much they have all given to each other and to our program, and the success they enjoyed this season is something (they) should be proud of as well.”