Boys soccer: Late score gives Rolling Meadows tie with Fremd

In the span of a little more than 12 hours, Robert A. Hoese Field at Rolling Meadows High School was the site of two overtime games.

Friday night the Mustangs' football team rallied to defeat Deerfield in double overtime, and Saturday afternoon it was the Meadows boys soccer team's turn to rally.

Meadows scored late in regulation against Fremd to forge a 1-1 overtime tie versus the visiting Vikings.

The Saturday game was played in difficult conditions, as extreme September heat (85 degrees) and an unrelenting sun caused fatigue challenges for the players.

"It was pretty hot," said Meadows senior Brian Owsiany, who scored the game-tying goal. "But we were in the moment so it's all good."

Fremd struck first in the contest, scoring in the 28th minute as John Kating of the Vikings put a header into the back of the net.

"It was a throw-in, I just adjusted it and I headed it," said Kating.

Meadows had an early chance to tie it up in the second half, but a Tyler Dawson shot off a feed from Edwin Fuentes went just over the crossbar.

Then, in the final three minutes of regulation, Owsiany took an assist from Fuentes and found the back of the net.

"He played outstanding," said Rolling Meadows coach Brett Olson of Owsiany. "Credit to him because we put in a new formation today."

The first 10 minute overtime period went back-and-forth. Fremd had a chance to put the game away when the Vikings were awarded a penalty kick with 2 minutes remaining, but the attempt sailed over the crossbar.

In the second overtime period, the Vikings had the best chance but a late 23-yard drive resulted in a save by Meadows keeper Pablo Zarate

"We struggled the last two weeks to play solid, get the ball in the back of the net and play our game," added Olson. "We had some guys out injured and sick today, and some other guys stepped up."

"We've got to build on this," said the RM coach. "We've got to get a conference win. A tie against Fremd looks good for us, the guys are happy with this and I'm super proud of their effort. "