Burzynski, Avedon play heroic roles for Barrington

One hundred minutes of soccer was not enough to separate two of the Mid-Suburban League's super powers Friday night.

Finally a pair of relatively unheralded players stole the headlines.

Liz Burzynski and Kathryn Avedon, both usually found on the bench cheering for their teammates - yet important figures on a closely-knit soccer club - came through in sensational fashion when the Barrington Fillies went into a shootout against MSL East Division champion Hersey to settle the 21st MSL Cup.

Burzynski, who earlier this season played a heroic role in the nets during the Fillies' 4-2 shootout victory over Crystal Lake South, had watched Avedon strike the game-winner against South.

Avedon did it again Friday on a much bigger stage to help defeat the Huskies 1-0 as the Fillies (20-2-3) prevailed 5-3 in penalty kicks to capture their third MSL title in school history.

"You can never feel real good when you go into PK's, but we have a lot of confidence in Liz when we (do) get there, and once again tonight, she proved herself when we really needed her," said Fillies coach Ryan Stengren - who again was without three starters including leading scorer Emily Hyde.

"We knew before the match that if we got there (PK's) that I would be in goal for us, and although it's kind of hard to sit around all match long, it's a situation that I really enjoy being in and being there for our team," said the senior Burzynski, who has recorded 81/2 shutouts this season to share the team lead with starter Kelly Pedersen.

The Huskies (11-4-5), as they have this season and last year as well, opened the match with a blistering attack, particularly up the flanks. The Huskies nearly stunned the Fillies just moments after the match resumed in the 12th minute, where it had been stopped Wednesday because of inclement weather.

Maeva Waterman's high-powered strike from the left side exploded off the near post for the Huskies.

"I thought when I hit the post with my shot, that it would be the start of a great night for us," Waterman said.

"Once again, as we have of late, we struggled in the opening stages of a match to immediately get ourselves on our heels," Stengren said.

Along with their vaunted backline, the Huskies' midfield controlled the pace of the match and help frustrate the Fillies, who looked short of punch with both Catie Curran and Sarah Fox out of the lineup.

If not for the nonstop work ethic and effort of the Fillies' backline most of the first half, the Huskies - with Waterman, Nicole Pietro and Erin Reiff setting the tone - might have found the back of the net.

"Barrington's defense seems to get overlooked because of its offense and attacking style, but tonight, especially, they did a great job," said Hersey coach Brad Abel.

Amy Johnson, whom Stengren moved into the middle from her spot along the backline, had the best chance for the Fillies from 30 yards, but was unable to convert,

The Fillies matched Hersey in the first three rounds of the shootout, until Burzynski got a glove on a shot, setting up Avedon's left-footed goal.

"The best thing about scoring the game-winner was to turn around and see my teammate running at me to congratulate me," said the sophomore Avedone.