Scouting the MSL girls water polo championship

Mid-Suburban League championship game

Who: Wheeling (16-4) at Fremd (25-1)

When: 6 p.m. Thursday

Outlook: It's a rematch of last year's championship match, which Fremd won 10-4. Several key figures from that contest are still around, including Fremd senior Erika Lauraitis and Wheeling senior Amy Wilson, clearly the focal points of their teams. Lauraitis is Fremd's leading scorer, but that only hints at her all-around effectiveness as she also leads the Vikings in steals and assists. Wilson is Wheeling's offensive hole set and the Wildcats will run their methodical offense through her, with a priority on maintaining possession. For Fremd, Megan Kennedy, Kristin D'Andrea and Sam DelPrado have delivered excellent results for coach Brian Newby in expanded roles following the Vikings' march to a third-place finish at state, the first trophy performance by an MSL team in the state finals. Sophomores such as Sam Matuszewski, Julie Conrath (goalie) and Emily Orlowski (defensive hole set) have helped a smooth transition for the Vikings. Wheeling, coached by Bob Savitt, tied Prospect in the MSL East with a 9-1 record but won the goal-differential tiebreaker with the Knights. The Wildcats will count on veterans such as Christa Khatcherian, Kaitlyn Webb, Emily Sullivan and Leah Malsom as they try to claim a conference title for the second straight year.