Vikings win second straight in Best of the West

By Matt Le Cren

Fremd played its best all-around game of the season Thursday night in beating Waubonsie Valley 1-0 at the Best of the West Tournament at Naperville Central, but the Vikings still are learning that they can't ease off the gas pedal until crossing the finish line.

Though it took control of the match in the first 25 minutes of the second half and scored the game's only goal with 25:41 left on a header by Jake Nedza, Fremd (3-0-2) had to sweat out the final 10 minutes as the Warriors put on some late pressure.

"I felt we were knocking on the door, especially in that second half," Fremd coach Steve Keller said. "It was good to finally get one.

"I thought we had most of the possession and play and created opportunities, but the last 10 minutes, for whatever reason we didn't close the game out, just like [in a 2-2 last Saturday at Downers Grove South]. All our clears were right up the middle to them and it made it very hairy for us."

Despite making several dangerous runs and counterattacks, the Warriors (1-3-1) were not able to put a shot on goal in the final minutes, though they sent several balls high or wide.

Waubonsie's best chance came with 1:40 left, when Sean Piegore headed one over the crossbar from 15 yards out.

Waubonsie Valley coach Angelo DiBernardo wished his team had shown the same kind of spark earlier in the game.

The Warriors learned they have to start their engines sooner in order to win close matches.

"I think the first half was an even game," DiBernardo said. "Both teams played okay. Second half we ran around like chickens with our heads cut off for the first 25 minutes or so.

"The last 10 minutes were good. We created more chances in those 10 minutes than the [rest of the] whole bloody game. We played with more purpose and not just kick ball. For the first 28 minutes of the second half it was just kick ball and was awful to watch.

"We had some chances at the end of the game but you have got to create those chances throughout the game as well, and not wait to be [behind] 1-0 with 10 minutes to go in the game. That's the mental attitude you have to bring, and maybe because we are as young as we are, it's something they have to develop."

Each team mustered four shots in the opening half. Fremd had the best chance when Spencer Filosa ripped a shot on frame from just inside the penalty area, but Warriors keeper Sean Elvert made the best save of the night, diving to his left to deflect the ball over the bar at the 15:47 mark.

Over the next eight minutes, Waubonsie put three shots on goal to no avail.

Frankie Saiz made a pair of cutback moves in the box to get free momentarily, but his ensuing shot was deflected by a defender before being caught easily by Fremd goalie Scott Sutarik, who finished with five saves to record his second consecutive shutout.

Saiz then caught Sutarik out of the net but his shot was cleared by freshman Eric Leonard.

Two minutes later, sophomore Mike Eschbach stopped another Waubonsie shot with his chest before knocking the ball up the field.

"It was pretty cool," Eschbach said of his non-goalie save. "I just tried to get it out, had a good touch."

Fremd began to dominate at the beginning of the second half. The Vikings nearly drew first blood just 90 seconds after intermission when a header by Brian Hindle bounced off the top of the bar.

The breakthrough finally came when Filosa got loose in the right corner and crossed in front to Nedza, who nodded it home for his first goal of the season.

"We had a lot of opportunities at the beginning of the first half and then we just kept on going," Nedza said. "Spencer came down the line, then he cut inside and I saw him cutting inside so I beat my man on the inside. He curved it right to my face."

The victory gave Fremd a 2-0 record in pool play. The Vikings need only a tie against Sandburg at noon on Saturday to advance to the tournament championship game, which will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday at Naperville Central.

A trip to the title game would not surprise Keller, though he said there is still much room for improvement, especially at the end of matches.

"I think our legs got a little tired in the end and then your brain starts to get tired and that's what happened – we started to lose a little composure," Keller said.

"But I think this was by far the best game we've played. We've still got a ways to go."

As do the Warriors, who finish the tournament Saturday morning against Naperville Central.

"Sean [Elvert] had a decent game today but I cannot say that any of the field players played as well as I think they can," DiBernardo said.