Chicagoland Soccer

Vikings drop MSL home game to Barrington

By Dan Santaromita

Barrington got off to a rocky start at Fremd, but recovered to play its best game of the year.

The Broncos conceded less than four minutes into the match, but dominated the play for the last 70 minutes to take a 3-1 win in Palatine over the Vikings in a Mid Suburban League match Tuesday night.

Barrington coach Scott Steib knew his team had the ability to win, but that it would take a special effort.

“(Fremd) is not an easy place to play,” Steib said. “We said we could come over here and win tonight, but it would take a lot of players raising their hands saying I had my best game in a while. I think if we get on the bus and ask them that question we’d see six or eight hands go up.”

The Vikings’ early strike came from Yusuke Kanada after Brian Hindle slotted him through in the box. Kanada was left unmarked and converted with an easy finish.

Barrington quickly turned the run of play in its favor. Following the goal, Fremd managed the next shot of the match but would not put another on goal the rest of the half.

“We gotta go for that next one,” Fremd coach Steve Keller said. “I think tonight we scored and we almost relaxed a little bit.”

The Broncos’ got the equalizer in the 22nd minute following a pair of redirected balls in the box. A deflected centering pass landed with Grant McAndrew, who fired at goal. His shot was partially blocked, but Bryan Adams was waiting at the back post and was able to pound the ball through Vikings’ goalkeeper Steven Soltykiewicz (2 saves). Soltykiewicz got a touch on the ball, but the powerful shot from inside the six landed in the side netting.

The play was more even in the second half with the Vikings earning a number of corner kicks and attacking half free kicks. However, the Broncos defended well on aerial balls and turned one Fremd corner into a goal the other way.

Just short of the hour mark Danny Jaderholm started the break on the left side and spotted a streaking Jack Hoots. Jaderholm played a perfect ball ahead of Hoots, who outran his defender and scored the go-ahead goal.

“It’s awesome to see different guys getting in today and contributing,” Steib said. “Jack Hoots’ goal is just outstanding, especially Danny Jaderholm, who has been playing as a reserve for us, but comes in and delivers a fantastic ball. Both those guys are off the bench.”

Mark Plescia headed in the third in the 66th minute to give the Broncos breathing room following a service from Adams.

The Vikings’ set piece barrage continued with Fremd earning five corners in the match’s final 20 minutes, but they couldn’t produce quality shots at Broncos’ keeper Max Redpath (3 saves).

The loss snapped a four-match win streak for Fremd (8-3-1, 5-2). Barrington (5-6-2, 3-1-1) picked up its third win in a row and has lost just one in its last six.

“I think it took us a little while for our team to get our chemistry down,” Hoots said of Barrington’s turnaround. “I think we’re playing better as a team now and I think we’re working out some of our kinks like playing in the air and finishing.”

Following what Keller called a solid 80 minutes at Hoffman Estates on Saturday, a 3-1 win, he is back to preaching for his team to play more assertively and consistently.

“It’s all reading the game and anticipating the game and we’re not doing a very good job of that,” he said. “It’s not just tonight. Fortunately we’ve been able to get some wins, but we’ve had these three losses where we’ve been beat up pretty good. Sooner or later if you’re inconsistent that’s going to catch up with you.”

Fremd visits Buffalo Grove Thursday at 6:30 p.m. while the Broncos have a quick turnaround and host Hersey Wednesday at the same time.