Girls soccer: Barrington runs MSL Cup streak to 12 by topping Hersey
Barrington’s girls soccer team won the MSL for the 16th time after defeating visiting Hersey 3-1 Wednesday night.
The win marked Barrington’s 12th consecutive title -- a record run in the league -- in this the 34th annual MSL Soccer Cup.
Junior Piper Lucier helped extend the Fillies’ (15-1-2) record with her first half double. Teammate Kaitlin Taylor put the finishing touches on the victory in the 73rd minute to dash the hopes of the MSL East champions who last year lost in OT to this same Barrington side.
"It's kind of crazy to think our program has won 12 straight championships. But I am really proud to have been a part of the last three," said Taylor.
"Getting those first two goals helped us settle in and give us a lot of confidence, plus forced (them) to chase the game early on. But Hersey always plays us tough, so it was important for us to defend well as a team and play smart," added Lucier.
Lucier, who has already committed to play at Marquette University following her 2025 graduation, created her own chance in the 19th minute to hit the opener.
After beating a pair of players on the right side, Lucier showed terrific control on the ball before finishing Huskies keeper Sam Fetzer in a 1v1 opportunity.
Lucier would double the Fillies advantage with her 11th goal of the season two minutes later. Annie Tarpey and Maddy Ziebarth did the work to help Lucier bag her second on the night.
"We made a couple of mistakes so we were forced to chase the game against a team as good as Barrington. But we kept our heads up and got ourselves back into the game just before the half," said Huskies coach Mike Rusniak.
That's when Gracie Lisota unloaded an inch perfect left-footed blast from 30 yards just inside the far netting at 36 minutes for her 15th of the season.
During the intermission, Lisota was honored as the MSL East POY while Fillies senior Roos Van Roekel won the MSL West POY after the fans at Barrington Community Field celebrated the 2024 MSL All-Conference Team with each player on hand to be announced.
"We were back in the game after Gracie's goal, and I thought we played a strong second half — especially defensively — but it just wasn't enough tonight," said Huskies central defender Finley Wilcox.
Lucier went close after the intermission, as did Ziebarth with her redirected header off the third straight Fillies corner until Taylor ensured victory seven minutes from time.
"I am very happy for this group of seniors who have put in so much hard work as well as providing great leadership to help us continue this incredible 12-year run," said Fillies coach Ryan Stengren.
The Fillies were anointed the No. 1 seed in the Huntley sectional and begin play at the Dundee-Crown regional next Tuesday afternoon, while the Huskies (12-8-1), the No. 8 seed at the Fremd sectional, open with No. 11 Palatine on Tuesday in Northbrook at the Glenbrook North regional.