Knights have better showing in second meeting with Vikings

By Dan Santaromita

The last time Prospect played Fremd, its performance was almost as pretty as the bad weather that it encountered that evening.

But this time around, the Knights showed the confidence and aggressiveness that it takes to compete with one of the top teams in the area.

On Tuesday, the Knights lost 1-0 in Palatine in a Mid Suburban League crossover and coach Tom Froats liked what he saw from his girls.

Especially when compared to the 3-0 loss his Knights took at the hands of the Vikings on April 5 before severe weather halted play at halftime.

"Certainly the result on the scoreboard is a lot better," Froats said. "I think we were a little bit more organized and I think we played with a little bit more confidence today."

Just before the 10-minute mark, Viking junior Elise Kotsakis made a spectacular flick-on header to a streaking Kira Heggeland, one of several JV players who were utilized by Fremd.

Heggeland dribbled down the right side and unleashed a ripper from a tight angle. The ball went over the hands of Prospect goalie Megan McCabe (16 saves) and into the side netting.

The Vikings (13-3-2) continued to control the play but weren't able to score again against the Knights (12-6-2).

"There were a few opportunities that we created, which I think gives our defense a little more confidence and takes some of the pressure off," Froats said. "Defensively, we were pretty organized.

"They have some nice players up top and I thought our girls played really hard, tough and aggressive. Which is something we've talked about doing to compete against teams like this. You have to be tough and aggressive. It has to be hard work by everybody."

The Knights' best chance came in the 36th minute when senior Lexi Glennon took a shot headed for the near upper 90, but Vikings goalie Shannon Norris (1 save) made a great jumping save to force a corner.

"Defensively, Fremd was really tough," Froats said. "You're not going to get 10 opportunities, you might get two or three. You have to capitalize in order to get on the scoreboard against a team like this."

In the second half, Fremd senior defender Danielle Romano slowed forward Susie Lello in a one-on-one situation to prevent an open shot at goal.

Lello and sophomore Jesse Petrovski created some problems for the Vikings.

"I think in the back we could have worked on a few things, but they didn't score, so that was good," Romano said. "We definitely should have finished more, but other than that, I think it was a pretty good game.

"The ball is a little harder to control because it was a little wet so we couldn't finish a lot of our chances, but I thought we created a lot of opportunities."

Fremd coach Steve Keller said the Vikings were short seven players due to injuries and illness, but he had a group of girls, including Heggeland, come up from JV and contribute to the win.

The Knights will host Lyons Township Saturday before starting regional play Tuesday. Froats thinks if his defense can play like they did against Fremd, his team will do well in the playoffs.

"We've had a nice run of late," he said. "Getting into the postseason, once again it's going to be defense that will be important. To show really well defensively today I think helps us certainly with the confidence factor moving into the postseason.

"Just kind of a little disappointed that we didn't get one on the board, but against a quality team like Fremd, that's not going to happen without an extra effort."

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