Vikings get second straight shutout in 1-0 win at Lake Zurich

By Dan Santaromita

Fremd coach Steve Keller would like to see his team become more balanced, but for now the Vikings are doing just fine relying on Elise Kotsakis to come up with moments of brilliance on her own.

The senior forward scored the only goal of the game as Fremd won at Lake Zurich on Thursday to improve to 2-0 on the season.

In the 29th minute, Kotsakis stole the ball from a defender, made a couple of nice cutback dribbles and beat the Bears’ goalie by hitting a perfect shot in the upper 90 from the edge of the penalty box.

“I had some space and saw the upper 90 so I took it,” Kotsakis said of her second goal of the season.

Despite the win, Keller thought his team is capable of playing better.

“This was ugly,” Keller said. “Not our best game. Lake Zurich put more pressure on us than St. Charles (East).”

Fremd opened its season with a 2-0 home victory over St. Charles East on Tuesday.

The Vikings were Class 3A runners up last year and expectations remain high despite graduating Mid Suburban League West player of the year Laura Mayer, who led the team in goals and assists last season.

Her former partner up front, Kotsakis has become the go-to scorer for Fremd. The Vikings have been playing with her as the middle forward and a playmaker behind Kotsakis, who also hit the post on a shot try in the second half.

Keller said he would like to see other gets involved in the offense, mentioning that both of Kotsakis’ goals this season have been solo efforts.

He was more impressed with his defense on Thursday night.

“I think our defense was solid,” he said. “One v one we’ve got some girls that are tough to beat.”

The game was mostly played in the midfield with neither team dominating, but Fremd looked more threatening up front.

Keller’s frustration was visible when he yelled out “Control the midfield!” in the middle of the second half. Keller, who is in his tenth year as Fremd coach, said his team has to work on their tactics.

Fremd has a veteran team that should be able to smooth things out before long. It will have to if it hopes to repeat the success of last season.

“We definitely want to get to state again,” Kotsakis said. “We’re maybe a better team.”

The lone underclassmen starter was freshman Michelle Mottonen, who played right wing in the first half before shifting more towards the left side in the second half.

“She has really good touch,” Kotsakis said. “I’m excited to play with her.”

Fremd will be on spring break next week. It returns to action Saturday, April 3 when it hosts Wheeling.