Boys soccer: Hersey captures MSL Cup championship with shutout of Conant

A sparkling soccer season continued to shine even brighter for Hersey on Wednesday night in Arlington Heights.

When the dust settled, it was the Huskies who captured the Mid-Suburban League title at the 50th MSL Soccer Cup.

Hersey’s 1-0 victory over Conant gives the Huskies (16-0-3) their sixth MSL Soccer Cup title and second in three years.

“It was a great game and one that could have gone either way,” said Hersey coach Mike Rusniak. “Conant is a great team and even better, if it's possible (than) the last time we played them a couple of weeks ago.”

This was the fifth MSL Soccer Cup meeting between the two programs, with each side claiming victory.

“Hersey is so athletic, physically strong, and very difficult to pry open. (We) just cannot seem to get over the hump against them,” said Cougars coach Jason Franco. “It wasn't a perfect game, but I am very proud of the way we possessed, attacked and matched their toughness, (so) I know we'll be ready for the playoffs when they begin next week.”

The pace of the game at times was fast and full of high-octane attacking soccer that highlighted some terrific play along the back line, with each side doing its best to probe, test and expose the other’s stout defensive unit.

“All year our back line has been the strength of our team. (There) was so much fight in all of us tonight, but as always, it was our guys in the back that helped us win tonight,” said Huskies senior Adam Myslinski, the MSL West Player of the Year.

Rolling Meadows junior Tommy Jackman earned the same award in the MSL East.

“It's not easy playing a team for the third time in a season. (Conant) has improved so much more than our last game with them,” said Huskies goalkeeper Patryk Smakowski.

The senior tied the program record with his 12th shutout of the season, joining his older brother Adrian, who set the record during the Huskies’ 2024 state championship season.

The eventual game-winner came at 18 minutes when David Kozakiewicz earned the home side its first corner kick of the night.

Teddy Reyes sent his curling effort into the box, finding Akram Alividinov near the spot.

The senior’s fired his snap shot at goalkeeper Sam Molberger, who made the save.

Mateja Dordevic steered his close-range shot of the rebound into the back of the Cougars net.

“I always felt like we could put one in on them, but for all we did in our attack, we just never created anything really dangerous at their keeper,” said Conant captain Kacper Niziolek.

Next up for the Cougars (13-4-3) will be the regional opener against York on Tuesday at Leyden. The Huskies will host the play-in winner between Buffalo Grove and Mundelein in their regional opener, also on Tuesday.