Vikings break through late to beat Wheeling

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By Dan Santaromita

As Fremd's pressure continued to mount on Wheeling, it seemed a break through was inevitable but it certainly didn't come easy.

The Vikings dominated possession against the Wildcats Saturday afternoon in Palatine but were frustrated by the crossbar and Wheeling senior goalie Chloe Majkowski for more than an hour.

However, Fremd scored two goals with less than 15 minutes to play to claim a 2-0 win in a Mid Surburban League crossover match.

The first half was sloppy for the Vikings, who hadn't played a match for 18 days. Wheeling was unable to threaten but Fremd appeared somewhat disorganized and didn't fair well near goal.

Fremd coach Steve Keller yelled at his team during the first half saying they were running around like chickens with their heads cut off.

"I didn't think we played all that well," Keller said. "I think we were a bit lackadaisical."

In the second half the Vikings (3-0) picked up their play and the ball was in the Wheeling zone virtually the entire half.

Majkowski held strong in goal for the Wildcats (0-2). She was all-sectional last year and with more performances like this, she could contend for all-state honors.

Early in the second half, Fremd senior Crystal Rohan had the ball less than 10 yards from goal but Majkowski made an excellent save.

She finished with eight saves and there wasn't an easy one in the bunch and the Vikings also managed to hit the crossbar an astonishing five times.

Keller had freshman Michelle Mottonen take the Vikings' corner kicks after Rohan hit two out of bounds.

On Mottonen's first corner, Keller directed her to find junior forward Elise Kotsakis. Mottonen did just that, but Majkowski saved Kotsakis' flick-on header.

Mottonen's third attempt was the corner that gave Fremd the lead for good. Junior Nikki Pagnamenta got the ball at her feet and was able to place a low shot in the net.

"Michelle is a fun player to watch," Keller said. "Crystal was struggling with her corners so we made the switch and it paid off for us."

"I was happy to take the corners," Mottonen said. "I like making opportunities for the team."

With just a few minutes left in the match, Kotsakis beat her defender and scored from about 15 yards out with a low shot directed to the far corner of the goal.

Although Keller was frustrated with his team's performance, his halftime adjustments seemed to work.

"We changed our formation to a 3-4-3 so we could have more control in the middle and try and win more offensive opportunities up top," Mottonen said.

"We're a little offensively challenged sometimes, but I think we're good at passing. We're a pretty solid passing team in the middle."

"The second half was better," Keller said. "Their goalie played well and we hit a couple crossbars. I thought our defense played well, though."

Senior defenders Kristen Kupstys, Danielle Romano and Jen Merlitti were a big reason why the Vikings were able to keep the ball in Wheeling's half.

Fremd's next match will be at Prospect on Monday at 6:30p.m.