Fremd tops New Trier, makes final four

If anyone wondered about Fremd's chances of reaching the boys soccer state tournament finals, well, surely there can be little doubt now.

Will Lefevre added another brilliant save to his postseason collection and Ben Borst stunned New Trier with the game-winner ten minutes from time to give the Vikings a 1-0 victory Tuesday night in Class 3A Barrington supersectional action.

The Mid-Suburban League champs advance to the state semifinals Friday at Hoffman Estates High School. The Vikings (19-5-1) will meet Hinsdale Central (17-4-4) at 7 p.m.

"It's not always pretty, especially at this time of the year, but this team just finds a way to win," said Fremd coach Steve Keller, whose club will make a ninth state appearance in program history, and first since 2011 when the Vikings earned a third-place trophy.

"We did the things tonight you have to do to win - and that was solid defending against a very good attacking team, creating a few chances and putting one in. And having Will come up with that one big save that every team needs this time of the year in order to advance."

"It's what I've been training my whole life for," said the Vikings keeper, who for the third consecutive match pulled a sure goal out of the back of the net.

The senior, in full extension to his left, was able to somehow get a glove on a wicked blast from Spencer Farina, who turned his head in disbelief after watching what he thought was the equalizer in the 77th minute.

"Will did it again," screamed Zach Schoffstall, who has seen his teammate turn away late attempts from Libertvyille amd then Highland Park last week at the Palatine sectional to keep the Vikings' postseason hopes alive and well.

"Will has been amazing each time we've needed him to step up, and tonight he was there once again - only that save was his biggest," said Borst.

Minutes before Lefevre robbed Farina with his late-game heroics, it was Borst steering his shot into the back of the net from in close after Schoffstall's corner began the trouble for the Trevians, whose superb season ended at 21-4-2.

"Schoffstall got it going with a great corner to the back post, and I think it was Rohan (Menon) who kept the ball alive in the box, and I just finished with the inside of my left foot," said Borst.

"Again, not very pretty, but we created a chance, which turned into a scrum inside their box, and we put it in," said Keller.

The Vikings had their troubles with the Trevians' front at times during the first period, particularly Farina and his running mate up top, Duncan Gill. But after slowly gaining their shape defensively, the Vikings began to get into the game.

Schoffstall's long throws were a concern, as were several of his corners. And the always dangerous Ben Poder found a way to get behind the Trevs' back line, even though at times the senior was the lone striker in the Fremd formation.

"I just started to take our corners during our last game, and I thought we did a pretty good job of creating some dangerous situations - especially when the last one I took ended up in the back of the net," Schoffstall said with a smile.

After the Borst goal, the Vikings began to defend in numbers to thwart their opponents, who were relying on long balls over the top in their bid to stretch the back line and find space in and around the box.

Lefevre came off his line with confidence to punch a well-paced serve from Jamey Minturn just after the Vikings scored, setting up the keeper's athletic save to all but end the hopes of New Trier.

"This is what you work for," said Keller, "and right now, I am very happy and proud of the effort of this team to get into the tournament."