Highland Park stuns Vikings
Upstart Giants top Fremd with 3-goal explosion
By Mike Garofola
No. 7 Highland Park continued its magical postseason ride when it sent No. 2 Fremd crashing out of the state tournament on Wednesday.
The Giants’ stunning 3-1 upset of the MSL champs Wednesday evening at wind blown Libertyville ended a marvelous 2010 season for the Vikings, which saw 7 seniors in its first-11 lift a trio of championship trophies this season, before watching their year end abruptly in a sectional semifinal contest.
Highland Park will play Libertyville this Saturday for the sectional crown.
The Giants used a stunning 7-minute, goal-scoring explosion to come back from a 1-0 deficit, highlighted by a sensational goal from senior Eoin Moore that opened up a 2-goal lead from which the Vikings (17-3-2) never really fully recovered.
"We didn't really meet their energy level tonight, and didn't manage the wind and conditions as well as Highland Park did, but make no mistake, they are a very underrated team,” Fremd coach Steve Keller said. “They have a big-time player along the back, and several skillful attacking players that gave us some trouble, especially in the first-half.”
The Vikings asserted themselves right from the start and put a scare into retiring Highland Park (14-5-4) head coach Dave Bene, who is stepping down after 33 years as the Giants’ head coach.
Bene watched Fremd spend the first quarter-hour all over the Giants in their own end.
"I was a little nervous after watching how quick and fast on the ball Fremd was from the opening whistle,” Bene said. “I really thought we could have been in for a long night if they were able to get into the back of the net with an early goal on us."
The Vikings suffered a terrific loss when holding mid Jeremy Koscaz was injured on a 50-50 challenge near the mid-line at 19 minutes. His absence for the rest of the match proved significant as the Vikings would miss his non-stop energy, and ball winning ability in the middle of the park.
Fremd’s Brian Hindle and Lorenzo Savino teamed up to produce a quality scoring chance at 22 minutes, and although Savino was sent in close, his shot sprayed wide at the near post.
After a bright start, the Vikings attack fell off. The Giants fashioned a nice counter with Moore generating the trouble, and Endy Marban and Ricardo Rodriguez turbo-charging the attack going forward, but they were unable to put a shot on frame at Fremd keeper Scott Sutarik.
"I told our coaches beforehand that I thought with the strong winds and tough conditions, that this would be a 1-goal result,” Bene said. “When Fremd scored so quickly into the second half, I’m not so sure that I liked our chances at that time."
The Vikings cashed in early after intermission to give their frigid faithful something to warm their hearts, when Spencer Filosa drove a low riding smash from an impossible angle along the end line. Filosa’s ball went off Giants keeper Aaron White for the first goal of the match at 41 minutes.
Unfortunately, the Vikings’ euphoria was short-lived.
Highland Park’s Noah Bloch sent a well-aimed corner in that found the carpet, where an alert Konrad Kucharski thumped home the equalizer.
The goal revved the Giants. Moore's powerfully struck 30-yard guided missile was a world-class goal at 50 minutes, and the Giants continued pressuring and put a dagger in Fremd’s hopes when freshman Francesco Moore collected a loose ball and fired a cracker past Sutarik, who no time to react to the shot.
"Three quick goals, all of them better than the other, and then we were suddenly chasing for the first time in a long time," said Keller.
Although reeling, the Vikings almost turned the tide moments after the Giants scored their third goal.
A tremendous effort from Filosa got the ball to Brian Hindle whose shot appeared headed inside the near post until White extended fully to his left and pulled it out of space and safely into his gloves.
Keller would push Filosa up top to join Savino and Burkhardt with the hope of an extra attacker causing more trouble for the Giants backline. But the magnificent work of defender Kucharski, whom Keller praised as one of the best he’s seen this year, never allowed the Vikings to challenge White, despite flooding the area for the final quarter hour.
"I told the guys its stinks to lose, and there was nothing that I could say to make them feel better, or for the loss to go away," began Keller.
"But someone has to lose in these games, and tonight Highland Park was just better than us. But there was no reason for any of them to hang there heads, because they played hard, and didn't give in when we went down by those two goals.
"They have a lot to be proud of, and I’m very proud of what they all accomplished this season, and that's really what it’s all about."
