Fremd tops Wheeling for MSL Cup victory
At the final whistle, the player everyone from Fremd sought was Luke Schoffstall - and why not?
The sophomore had scored the most important goal of his young career, firing in the game-winner at 71 minutes to help the Vikings (14-5-1) secure a 1-0 victory over host Wheeling to capture the Mid-Suburban League championship Thursday night in the 38th MSL Cup.
"Even though it didn't show on the scoreboard with more goals, it was probably our best all-around effort offensively this entire season," said Fremd coach Steve Keller, who watched his club lift a league-best seventh MSL trophy after the program's 13th appearance in a league title game.
"Ben (Poder) and I knew we were going to get one sooner or later, and when he beat his man to get to the end line, I saw my chance to loop around with my run, and he put a great ball onto my foot," said Schoffstall, who bagged the winner with a superb one-timer past Wheeling keeper Jose Castillo.
Keller raved about the combination play between Luke Schoffstall and Poder, which helped Fremd maintain command against Wheeling.
"Those two, along with Zach (Schoffstall), created a lot for us tonight, and several much better opportunitites than the game-winner," Keller said. "Their work up top, plus the ability of our midfield to control that part of the field, was key in keeping (Wheeling) from playing through (Frankie) Estrada, who makes their attack go."
The Wildcats (12-6-4), who were looking for a second consecutive MSL title (but this year with a brand new cast of players), weren't able to match the Vikings' energy and pace. That limited the opportunities for Estrada, who has been a menace to opponents of late along with with Fabian Acosta and Allen Mancilla.
"(They) were much faster and quicker than us tonight, which kind of surprised me, and that along with the pressure they put on s, and their terrific organization along the back gave them a result they deserved," said Wheeling coach Ed Uhrik.
After a slow start, the contest began to finally open up when the first dangerous chance occurred in the 17th minute, as Luke Schoffstall's serve into the box went to the back post was sent back the other way and found MSL West player of the year Tomas Peleckas, who nearly tucked in the first goal of the game.
With Poder and Luke Schoffstall becoming more fluent up top, the Wildcats back-line standout Francisco Arellano, the MSL East's player of the year, was called upon more often that Uhrik and his staff would have liked in order to keep the visitors far away from Castillo.
"Fremd did a great job of getting into our area, and easily had the better of the chances than we did all night long," Uhrik said.
Minutes into the second period, the Vikings began to lay the foundation for their lone goal.
At the end of an enterprising 30-yard run from Poder, the senior had a go at Castillo from the right side. Moments later, a wonderful crossfield serve from Luke Kosacz nearly found Kurt Rettke, only to be denied by a strong challenge from Castillo.
Zach Schoffstall and Poder helped release Luke Schoffstall, who side-stepped a defender and then Castillo, but the Vikings' eventual hero just missed the open net in the 62nd minute.
"We just encouraging each other each time we went close, and we knew if we kept working, it would happen," said Poder.
Nine minutes later, it did.
"Our defense with Tomas, (Danny) Burton, Ben Borst and Luke (Kosacz) were big tonight, and the guys in the middle did their job throughout," said Poder. "Right now it's amazing to think we first won the division, and now the MSL championship."