Fremd crowned MSL West champs
Prior to Thursday night, Fremd has lost four consecutive matches to Hersey, three last season when the Huskies ended the Vikings' season in the sectionals.
But the Vikings have stopped the streak.
Alexis Tice's header gave the Vikings the lead just minutes before intermission, and Mid-Suburban League West Division player of the year Laura Mayer provided a 2-goal cushion after the break as Fremd captured a 2-0 victory over the host Huskies in the MSL Soccer Cup.
"After losing three times last year and once more earlier this season, it feels really good to finally beat Hersey, and in a game that was so important to all us tonight," said Vikings junior sweeper Danielle Romano, who joined her backline mates to frustrate the Huskies (10-6-3) over and over - and watch keeper Allison Norenberg make 2 key stops in the first half.
The last time the teams met, the defending MSL champion Huskies dominated en route to a 3-0 victory in Arlington Heights.
"We came in ready for this match tonight and were confident that we could do what we wanted to do if we kept up the defensive pressure, score off a set-piece or dead ball and not allow Mayer any chances," said the Huskies' Kristen Gierman.
An entertaining, lively first half saw the Vikings (14-3-1) have the better run of play.
The defensively disciplined Huskies kept the Vikings from challenging keeper Julia Fredian in the first half-hour.
Fredian's counterpart, Norenberg, stopped Nicole Pietro, who was sent through at 13 minutes. The junior Norenberg was at her best in the 24th minute when she stopped what appeared to be a sure goal.
Huskies sophomore Maeva Waterman instigated the trouble, and her initial blast in close was turned away by Norenberg. On the rebound, Waterman quickly reshot the ball, but Norenberg made the sstop.
"A big save for us by Allison, and then later we score on something we've been practicing and what Hersey is so good at," Romano said.
Near the end of the first half, Kaitlyn Kinsella and Mayer worked a quick 1-2 off a corner at the near flag, and Kinsella curled in an inward swing to the back post where Tice finished.
"The first goal scored in a big match like this, and at that time just before the half gives the team that scores so much momentum that just carries over into the second-half," Mayer said.
Just three minutes after the break, Mayer moved in from the left side with a dazzling step past her mark before unleashing a nasty left-footer into the far inside netting.
Crystal Rohan, who with Kinsella, Tice and Nicole Leginski gave the Vikings a significant boost in the middle for 80 minutes, was credited with the assist.
The Huskies pushed Kathryn Korff up top along with Waterman and Pietro hoping to ignite their attack, but the Vikings held on.
"We pride ourselves on our effort and heart, and tonight we didn't let down at all in the area," said Huskies coach Brad Abel, "but Fremd did a terrific job of taking a lot away from us and in the end they deserved to win this match.