Boys soccer: Naperville North fends off Fremd

Naperville North's boys soccer team continued its flawless season after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Fremd Saturday thanks to Ty Konrad's late winner at Hildebrandt Field in Palatine.

The nonconference contest proved to be a slow burner for the nations No. 2 rated (TopDrawer.com) Huskies (10-0-0) with their hosts having the better of the play for most of the opening first period and during the early stages of the second half until coach Jim Konrad's team finally took control.

" (Fremd coach) Steve (Keller) has a very good team, and in my opinion, they were the better team for nearly all of the first half, until our big players came up with big plays," said Jim Konrad.

Those big players he spoke of were the aforementioned Ty Konrad, and Huskies keeper Tommy Welch, who each made their mark on this tightly played affair.

Welch would need all of his 6-foot-8 frame when he went full extension to turn around a low drive from Jake Schoffstall at 54 minutes which was on its way into the back of the net.

Nine minutes from time, Ty Konrad dribbled through a trio of Vikings to earn enough time and space to fire in the game-winner from 14 yards.

"That's what you expect from players like Welch and Konrad, but it was a complete effort from everyone in the second half that allowed us to get by one of the best teams we'll see in the regular season," offered Jim Konrad.

After what Keller called a subpar performance from his team earlier in the week in a 2-0 win over Elk Grove, the Vikings (5-3-1) responded with their best 80 minutes of the season, according to their head coach.

"Losing is never the result we want, but today's work rate, play on the both sides of the ball, and just the overall play from everyone was what we've been looking for, and is easily the top effort of the season thus far," said Keller.

The Huskies, the reigning Class 3A state champs, endured several anxious moments in the first 40 minutes when the home side created a handful of corners and deep throws.

Players such as Russell Beaupre, Vince Daidone, Anthony Tambellini and freshman Eli Schoffstall off the bench were the heartbeat of a Vikings attack which has struggled at times recently.

This was a key game for us because we were able to find out just how good we could be if we played at a high level, so even with the loss we can build something positive from this game," offered Beaupre.

It was his long range deep throw that allowed Jake Schoffstall to get inside his man before sending his attempt on frame until Welch, who will play basketball at Loyola next year followed the play before coming to the rescue.

The Welch save inspired the Huskies for the rest of the day and shortly thereafter, the visitors would create one set-piece and dead ball opportunity after another to help keep the Vikings under pressure the rest of the way.

If it wasn't Myles Barry on the end of one of those chances it was Colin Iverson, who both went close several times during a stretch in which the Vikings were most dangerous only in the counter as their teammates along the back - Cole Jackson, Jake Schoffstall and Daidone - defended as best they could.

"They had some big guys coming at us during the last 15-20 minutes every time the ball was sent into the box (we) defended better than we have all year long, but it just wasn't enough," said Daidone.

Ty Konrad would settle the engaging and intense thriller to give the Huskies their 30th consecutive victory, with Welch adding to his program record shutout total, now at 36.

"It was a great game, and one that told us a lot about ourselves, with Fremd exposing us a few times which is something we needed to have happen in order to get ourselves ready for the last half of the season," said Jim Konrad.

The Huskies host Garcia on Thursday, before going on the road to Plainfield Central next weekend.

The Vikings play MSL West division rival Conant on Tuesday, then host MSL East leading Buffalo Grove two days later.

"I am really glad that Jim brought his team here today. It was a very entertaining and well-played game that showed that we can play at a high level against a quality team such as North," said Keller.