MSL Cup preview
Fremd (13-3-1) vs. Hersey (10-5-3)
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Hersey High School, 1900 E. Thomas, Arlington Heights
Last year: Hersey d. Fremd 2-0
This year: Hersey d. Fremd 3-0
Story lines
For Hersey: The team's slow start never concerned all-state candidate Kristen Gierman, who anchors a terrific back-line for coach Brad Abel. She seemed to know her teammates would prevail despite an early 1-3-0 record. "We lost five all-conference seniors to graduation," said Gierman, "but we knew we had our core group in place, and all of us trusted the players who were going to step in to fill the spots of the players that left." Since giving up 2 goals in a 2-1 loss to state-ranked Huntley, the Huskies have not allowed another side to score more than once on its vaunted defense and keeper Julia Fredian.
For Fremd: Instead of taking a step backward after its disappointing regular-season loss at Hersey, the Vikings took giant step forward by reeling off 7 wins in a row, with 2 coming against both Conant and Barrington, and 9 of 10 overall, including a 1-0 defeat of state-ranked Neuqua Valley (1-0) in OT, before clinching its division title Monday. "We knew we were capable of getting back (to) the Soccer Cup because this team we have a very skillful team, with special players and solid leadership in the right spots," said Fremd coach Steve Keller. Just as their with Hersey, the Vikings lost six all-conference players from its 2008 championship club.
Main characters
Fremd: Laura Mayer (Sr, F, 10g, 11a), Kaitlyn Kinsella (Sr, MF), Danielle Romano (Jr, D), Crystal Rohan (Jr, MF), Allison Norenberg (Jr, GK, 0.97 GAA, 5.5 shutouts), Elise Kotsakis (So, F).
Hersey: Laura Gierman (Sr, D), Kristen Corley (Sr, MF), Claire Poelking (Sr, D), Andrea Perkins (Jr, MF), Julia Fredian (Jr, GK, 0.64 GAA, 9.0 shutouts).
Local focus
Hersey is living proof that defense wins championships. Its back line is big, strong, physical, organized and, along with Korff (MF) are air-ball winners who take pride in what they bring in front of Fredian, and when pushed forward as a dangerous group in all set piece and dead-ball opportunities, usually initiated by Gierman. While not an offensive juggernaut (21 goals) Huskies can create chances with sophomore Maeva Waterman providing the pace and work rate up on a regular basis.
Fremd is fortunate to have one of the premier strikers in the area in Mayer, who is captivating with and without the ball and fully capable of striking from nearly every spot from 25 yards while helping creating opportunities for her teammates. In the midfield the Vikings have terrific pace and quickness on the ball, and can dictate the speed of the match if allowed to. Romano in the back is superb.
They said it
Hersey coach Brad Abel: "From the very first day of training at 5:30 in the morning, we began to stress to the team how we could put ourselves in position to return to the Cup, and the reason we (are) back is we're build (strong) from the back. There's no egos or individuals who put themselves before the team, and we've been able to get young players (freshmen Megan Boyle and Nicole Pietro) to be key contributors to this team, and surprised by the work from Claire Poelking as a first-year starter on defense."
Fremd coach Steve Keller: "We're fortunate to have an impact player in (Laura Mayer), steady players in the middle like Kaitlyn (Kinsella) and the calming effect and leadership we receive from Danielle (Romano) in the back. When this team is playing like it is capable (of) playing, they're a very entertaining group to watch. We've stayed injury free, which is always important, and after having that special day recently at the Naperville Invite where we beat Neuqua and lost to Waubonsie in OT, we knew what this team could do."
- Mike Garofola