Girls soccer: Fremd blanks Palatine in Kinsella Cup matchup
Goals from Emma Spotak and Mackenzie Stein helped Fremd earn bragging rights in Palatine, and the coveted Kinsella Cup Friday night at Hildebrandt Field after the Vikings' 2-0 victory.
"It wasn't always the prettiest game at times out there, but I know the result was something that was very important to all of the girls," said Fremd coach Steve Keller.
Two nights after playing 100 minutes of high energy soccer in a 0-0 draw with Prospect, the Vikings (3-1-1, 1-0-1 Mid-Suburban West) came out a little flat, much of that due to the Pirates and what was at stake.
"Palatine has held the cup for the last four or five years, so all of us wanted to get it back here at Fremd," said Stein.
The Kinsella Cup was named after the co-founder of the Palatine Celtic Club, Jimmy Kinsella, and was first played for in 1995.
The Pirates (2-4-0, 0-1-0) came into this contest as holders of the cup for the last five years, which included a 2-2 draw in 2016.
"It's always one of the biggest games on our schedule every season but tonight Fremd was the better team, especially in the second half when they kept us under pressure for nearly the entire 40 minutes," said Palatine coach Willie Filian.
Spotak scored the opener in the 6th minute when she finished a sitter inside the box after Liz Prigge's booming free kick bounded off Pirates keeper Amaya Rivera.
The Vikings enjoyed 50-55% of the play in the first half, but the combined efforts of the Pirates' back line of Jennifer Lopez, Julianna Mandarino, Grace Marion and Melanie Simon kept the home side from creating quality chances.
However, from the start of the second half the Vikings were on their front foot and if wasn't Spotak or Stein buzzing in and around the visitor's end it would be Caleigh Stone, Ashley Scesniak or Emma Katovich causing trouble.
"We played a much better second half, there was more purpose and better possession but we still need to finish more of the chances we create," said Keller.
Stein would double the Vikings' advantage just after the hour when their guests failed twice to clear a nicely played ball into the box from Scesniak, allowing the junior to one-time her effort easily into an open net at the back post.
Jennifer Norris claimed her fourth shutout of the season for the Vikings, thanks in part to some wonderful work from her back line of Liz and Allie Prigge, as well as Lauren Burk.
Palatine is at Elk Grove next Wednesday, while the Vikings open play in the Naperville Invite at home against Loyola Academy on Tuesday.