Scouting the girls soccer Mid-Suburban League Cup
21st MSL Soccer Cup
Hersey (11-3-5) vs. Barrington (19-2-3)
Where: Barrington's Celebrate Life Field
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday
How they got here: Barrington went to the wire in the West, staying one step ahead of Schaumburg and the others in the division (Fremd, Conant), which as a group were 31-6-4 in the MSL table, and a combined 52-11-12 overall heading into the state tournament series. Hersey outlasted upstart Elk Grove in the East and shut out four of its five division rivals and its last four to clinch.
History Lesson: Hersey makes its third consecutive appearance, and is after its second MSL title after beating Fremd 2-0 in 2008. The Fillies won back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006, and is in its sixth MSL Cup. Both teams played to a 1-1 tie Saturday.
Barrington players to watch: Amy Johnson (Sr., D, 8 assists), Emily Hyde (Jr., F, 13 goals), Caroline Condon (Sr., MF), Kelly Pedersen (Jr., GK, 7.5 shutouts), Alexa Rowe (Sr., MF), Emmelie Hirdes (Sr., D), Molly Pfeiffer (Fr., F, 8 goals).
Hersey players to watch: Kathryn Korff (Sr., D), Julie Fredian (Sr., GK, 13 shutouts), Andrea Perkins (Sr., MF), Maeva Waterman (Jr., F, 6 goals), Megan Boyle (So., D), Olivia Stasiuk (So., D), Eileen Zydek (Jr., D)
Fillies update: Fillies won the mega Pepsi Showdown tournament and were runners-up at star-studded Naperville Invite, all within two weeks of each other, and did so with stifling defense, timely scoring, terrific goaltending, while proving to be a resilient side as their superior depth allowed them to win when not always at full-strength. This depth will be tested once again tonight with its heart and soul in the midfield, Sarah Fox (hip flexor), likely out, while her runningmate Catie Curran is gone for the season (ACL surgery) and top scorer Hyde is potentially out of action as she continues to suffer flu-like symptoms.
Huskies update: Hersey is one of the most organized, ultimate defensive-minded clubs around, which takes great pride in the way it defends, from front-to-back, and all with a work rate second to none. This 80-minute effort takes away space from even the most rampant of attacks, and always seems to win the air and ground war in 50-50 and second-ball conflicts, beginning with Korff along the backline, who is the 'great' wall in front of record-setting keeper Fredian, who is athletic as a reaction-type save machine. Although not a big-time goal scorer, Waterman is one of the most dangerous strikers around, thanks in part to her speed, trickery and willingness to create.
Hersey coach Brad Abel: "Our big three, Kathryn, Julia and Andrea have been here since freshmen, and know what this is all about. They are skilled, hard-working and dedicated athletes to (this) program, but to be honest, that's our whole team. We are not a group of standouts and stars, but rather a group of soldiers who each understand and accept their specific role. I really believe we enjoy the big-match atmosphere, but we know, that in order to beat Barrington, we are going to need to play a near perfect match."
Barrington coach Ryan Stengren: "I cannot tell you how proud I am of this team this spring. We've been able to have the success that we've had (thus) far because of our overall depth, the ability to keep the opposing team out of the back of our net (11 goals allowed in 24 matches) - but more importantly, because this is so tight with each other - kind of like family. We have to defend any and all set pieces, and find a way to play our style of soccer. We're going to miss both (Fox) and CC (Curran) in the middle, but I think we finally sorted things out after playing (Hersey) the other day without (those) three starters, and that should help us tonight."