Alfaro keys Buffalo Grove's win over Fremd

A sublime early goal from Alex Alfaro and an own-goal condemned Fremd's boys soccer team to defeat Saturday afternoon at Grant Blaney Stadium, where host Buffalo Grove came away with an important 2-1 victory.

"Any time you beat a Fremd team it's a good thing," said Buffalo Grove coach Brad Abel, whose team is now 5-1-0 in the MSL and 7-4-2 overall.

The Vikings were hungry for a victory as they looked to stay close to division leader Schaumburg. Fremd hosts the Saxons on Monday night.

"I don't know if it was the early start or that it was a weekend game, but that's no excuse for coming out the way we did because it wasn't very pretty in that first half for us," said Fremd coach Steve Keller.

"It was ugly out there, especially in the first half, but it was a win and 3 points we really needed," said Buffalo Grove senior Colin Doyle, who gave the hosts an extra helping of pace and energy up top with top striker Drew Brauner on the injured list for this match. "We lost last Monday to Schaumburg, so we had to get the momentum back in our favor because we have a big week ahead of us."

The Vikings (5-8-0, 3-2-0) found themselves a goal behind when Alfaro's angled shot from the right side eluded keeper Michael Kramer, who moments before saved an attempt from Doyle after teammates Christobal Damian and Danny Zickert created this half-chance.

"It was just Alfaro being Alfaro," said Abel of his midfielder's terrific work and finish.

Doyle had a great chance to double the Bison advantage in the 29th minute when Ryan Drum's serve out of the back wrong-footed his teammate. The subsequent left-footer lacked the pace to beat Kramer, who could thank Tyler Alfirivic for his clearing effort from the area.

Hector Herrera grazed the bar, much to the Vikings' relief. But minutes later it became 2-0 when Hans Haller's throw resulted in an own goal, ins spite of an argument from the Vikings bench when they thought Luke Schoffstall was fouled from behind while defending Haller's long toss.

Fremd got a PK conversion from Schoffstall at 54 minutes to set up an intriguing finish as Fremd moved numbers forward in its search for the equalizer.

"I liked our effort in the second half, and our ability to get a little something going here and there, but we still didn't really put anything dangerous at their keeper to challenge him," said Keller.

Drum, Haller, Gorgis Yelda and Tyler Niemann kept everything in front of them during the final minutes as the Vikings played direct, targeting Schoffstall, Rohan Menon and Max Clark up top.

"We knew Schoffstall and Menon were talented guys with the ball," said Abel, "and I thought our defense did well to absorb all of their pressure and keep them and others from getting into the area and close to Daniel (Sempoch, Bison keeper), who continues to play well for us in goal."

The Bison are now 5 points clear of division rival Wheeling, with Barrington up next for the Bison, on the road Tuesday evening.