THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008
Hersey Turns Up Heat On Fremd For MSL Crown
By BOBBY CHILVER
Journal Reporter
Hersey soccer reached its first goal in the regular season last Thursday as the Huskies topped Fremd 2-0 to take the Mid Suburban League championship.
Kristen Gierman scored two dead-ball goals and the Hersey defense was as tough as ever as they held the potent Vikings scoreless.
"I was very pleased with our physical pressure," head coach Brad Abel said. "The defense has been our key the entire season."
Both teams entered halftime knotted a zero but Gierman would take advantage of some free kicks in the second half.
Her first goal came in the 38th minute after a Fremd handball gave the Huskies a free kick just outside the box. Gierman hooked the ball over the Fremd wall and into the corner of the net to give Hersey all the offense they would need.
She later iced the victory with a penalty kick in the 8th minute, giving the Huskies their 2-0 advantage.
Keeper Julia Fredian recorded yet another assist as this talented Huskies squad heads into regional play on a roll. Their final regular season record stands at a stellar 15-2-4.
But of course the Huskies are not satisfied with just regular season success and Abel said he was happy with the team's focus the day after the big win.
"The intensity was there right from the start," he said. "That shows me they are not satisfied with just a conference title."
The Huskies start off with Wauconda tonight (Wednesday) and could see Fremd again down the road, as they are the No. 1 seed. Hersey is the No. 3 seed.
"We accomplished our first goal but now everyone is 0-0," Abel said. "We're not looking past Wauconda."
In other action last week, Maine West finished off its regular season with an 8-1 victory over St. Scholastica.
The Warriors celebrated senior night in fashion as Maggie Mueller, Dontina Walsten, Christina Chervenak, Chrissy Maksimovic, Hannag Schmitz, Lauren Zourkas, Paula Pliszka and Colleen Vana all scored. Betsy Barthel added two assists while Zourkas, Lauren Wojtaszek, Vana and Krystina Cook tallied assists as well.
West finished its regular season at 6-9-3 overall.