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Fremd's 2019 season 1 to remember
By Mike Garofola
There were times during the early stages of the 2019 campaign when things looked like they could blow up, and not in a good way, at Fremd.
But manager Steve Kellers' club turned things around after a 3-3-1 start to help make everything look rosy when the final whistle closed out the season.
Following a 2018 season that had far too many lows than highs, last spring was met with plenty of optimism, thanks in part to a core of players who were now three-year varsity players, plus the infusion of a couple talented players back from club.
The Vikings impressed early on in a hard-fought 1-0 defeat to eventual Class 3A state champion Naperville North but then slipped on the proverbial banana peel in back-to-back losses to Loyola (shootout) and Hersey.
"We always seem to start a little slow with Keller still sorting things out (as) far as what formation we would play, where certain players will be, and how the new players adjust and fit in," said Class of 2020 backline star Lauren Burk.
After the early rollercoaster ride in those first seven matches, the land, seas, plants and trees all came alive when the Vikings went on a 10-game unbeaten streak (8-0-2). The highlight came in the sixth match of then skein, when the Vikings snapped Barrington's 20-game Mid-Suburban League unbeaten streak with a 2-1 win.
The Vikings collected three more victories before a loss to Stevenson in the finale of the Buffalo Grove Sectional.
"We had some great games last season with teams like St. Charles East, Naperville North, Lake Zurich and (2019 third place finisher) New Trier," said Keller.
"We came out with two wins, and two losses. but all were hard-fought games. I believe, in the end, getting tested against opponents such as (those) allow you to see where you stand.
"The girls helped guide our practice sessions, mold our mentality and help set a tone within our team."
Fremd finished third in the Mid-Suburban League table and West Division side with an 8-1-2 performance and 26 points.
Despite suffering just one defeat, the Vikings were unable to overtake both Barrington and Conant for the top spot in the division. Hersey took the East Division and finished fourth overall with a 6-3-2 league mark.
Goal-less draws with Prospect and Conant dashed the championship hopes of the Vikings, who like the rest of the MSL were hoping to end Barrington's now eight-year stranglehold on the big trophy.
However, Fremd and their faithful will never forget that win over Barrington on April 24.
Ashley Scesniak and Claire Stewart agreed it was the highlight of the season.
Stewart bagged the game-winner in the 74th minute.
Emma Spotak, who earned Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors, opened the scoring after a Liz Prigge helper in the 34th minute.
Spotak said after the game: "We were just awful in our loss to Loyola (April 9) but playing some of our best soccer of the season right now, and to beat a team that's as good as Barrington confirms we can play with the best."
"That Barrington game was a real battle - but it was a huge game for us in terms of willing out way to a win," Keller said recently.
"I believe our team learned a lot about themselves that night. They dealt with adversity, overcame mistakes and believed in our ability to get the result they all wanted."
Click here to read more about Fremd's win over Barrington.
After the season: Christy Murauskis, Jenny Norris, Allie Prigge, Liz Prigge and Emma Spotak were named to the all-MSL team.
Fremd has been a proud participant in the highly regarded Naperville Invitational it seems since the beginning of time. However, dreadful weather last year limited the Vikings to just two games.
The Vikings loss in kicks to Loyola Academy in a regular season contest would count as its pool play opener, which was followed by a 2-1 victory over Oak Park-River Forest.
The following week Fremd played to a 0-0 draw with Evanston in the consolation pool. Their final game versus Oswego East was part of the final day's cancelled card due to wintry weather. Barrington and St. Charles North were declared co-champions.
In the postseason the Vikings earn a well-deserved no. 3 seed in the Buffalo Grove Sectional and validated their lofty status with a 7-0 home victory over Waukegan in the regional opener.
Three nights later, Fremd took down league rival Prospect 2-0.
Murauskis scored the opener, thanks in part to the wonderful, gritty work by teammate Mackenzie Stein, who refused to allow the opponent to clear its own end. That allowed Murauskis to bury a 30-yard blast.
Ashley Scesniak dealt the Lady Knights the death blow when she doubled the Vikings advantage two minutes before the intermission.
Murauskis was at it again in the sectional opener against Warren, bagging the opener just eight minutes into the contest, finishing a long, inch-perfect helper from Liz Prigge.
Warren drew back even shortly thereafter, but it was a case of deja vu all over again when the Murauskis-Prigge duo combined for the eventual game-winner at 21 minutes.
Rose Kentich insured victory with a 78th-minute strike.
With its first supersectional appearance since 2011 on the line, the Vikings met powerful Stevenson in Buffalo Grove Sectional final.
Mother Nature played a huge part in this much anticipated contest, forcing three long Thor-Guard delays.
The emotional and physical stress placed upon both clubs never would show as each side put on a brilliant display of soccer. After 80 minutes, Stevenson prevailed 2-1.
Notre-Dame bound Kiki VanZanten was the star of the show, scoring both goals for the Patriots, while teammate Jennifer Staten was a close second with a handful of magnificent saves.
Staten kept a sure goal out of the net when she stopped Spotak in the 10th minute.
An own-goal credited to Rose Kentish at 40 minutes drew the Vikings level at the break after VanZanten gave her club the lead in the 26th minute.
The Fremd goal ended a streak of 14-consecutive games that Stevenson had recorded a clean-sheet.
Burk, Scesniak, Spotak and Stewart would all go close after the break, but VanZanten's 57th-minute strike was the game-winner.
"We never stopped playing, ever," said Burk following this season-ending loss.
"We left everything we had that day out on the field, but came out on the short end of the stick," recalled.
"Two moments of greatness by VanZanten were the difference -- a tough loss. We felt we had a great chance to get to the state tournament."
Fremd finished at 14-5-3 and was posted at 17th in Chicagoland Soccer's Final 50 state-wide final season poll.
The Vikings had a strong list for their player of the year choice. It included Chicagoland Soccer All-Staters: Burk (D), Norris (GK) and Liz Prigge (D); and Special Mention member Spotak (F). Marauskis earned the nod.
Marauskis' presence in the middle of the park set her apart. Her air superiority, fierce tackling, high soccer IQ, and ability to play in variety of positions with confidence and brilliance led to well-deserved Chicagoland Soccer and IHSSCA All-State honors.
Marauskis and Spotak both attend Southern Illinois and each started in 13 games as freshmen.
Manager Keller will not forget that club.
"That 2019 team was a talented group of young women who grew to believe in themselves in order to reach their potential," he said. "They were a hard working group, and one that I enjoyed being around everyday.
"I enjoyed the relationships that were built with the girls, and appreciated what they accomplished. They truly were one of Fremd's great teams that I've had as a head coach."