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Girls soccer: Barrington downs Buffalo Grove to win another MSL Soccer Bowl

For the ninth consecutive season, Barrington is girls soccer champions of the Mid-Suburban League.

Senior Lara Lubinsky bagged 2 sensational first-half goal, and the Fillies' defense, led by Kate McGreevy and Ella Vanness, stopped Buffalo Grove star Pam Bolis to claim an impressive 3-0 victory Friday night at the 31st MSL Soccer Bowl at Grant Blaney Stadium in Buffalo Grove.

"Our focus was really clear coming into this game - stop No. 18 (Bolis), win the 50-50 balls, defend well as a team, and put away our chances and that's exactly what we did," said Barrington's Jen Devona, who has been a key figure in the last three MSL Soccer Bowls, and the 2018 state championship team.

"Ella did a great job against Pam tonight. She kept her from turning and getting looks on goal, and Lara had a great night for us scoring those two goals to help us take control of the game," added McGreevy who, like Devona, helped the Fillies during their state-title run.

The Fillies (12-1-2) showed their intent from the opening whistle with energy, pace, and a willingness to go out and win first and second balls to keep the midfield of the Bison (9-5-3) from connecting with its main target (Bolis), who was recently named MSL East POY.

Devona netted her 12th of the year at the end of a center channel run when she latched onto a near perfect cross by Ellie Sanchez from the left side to give the visitors the only goal they would need in the 22nd minute.

It could have been 3-0 at the intermission if not for a brave tackle by Samantha Larsen, who turned in an amazing effort along the back.

Moments later, a brilliant save by Bison keeper Sophie Veytsman on a piercing corner sent in from Brooke Brown dashed the hopes of Devona steering in a header into an open net at the back post.

"(Barrington) won nearly every 50-50 ball, and had almost all of the possession in the first half, and we never really recovered from that to put some pressure on them," admitted Veystman, who will play next fall at Illinois State University.

Lubinsky would double the Fillies' advantage in the 54th minute when she ran onto a wind-aided punt from keeper Coast Liapis and burst past a pair of defenders before sending her effort past a helpless Veystman.

The Fillies' senior would break the hearts of the Bison faithful in the 72nd minute when she unloaded a wicked left-footed cracker that rattled the post before falling over the line on the other side of Veytsman.

"The first ten minutes we came out and played almost perfect soccer and kind of set the tone for the rest of the game. It feels great to be a part of another championship team," said Lubinsky.

"Credit Barrington, (head coach) Ryan (Stengren) and his coaching staff. They were the better team tonight and very deserving of another MSL title," said BG head coach Pat Dudle, whose club will now turn its attention toward preparation for its regional opener next week against Round Lake.

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