Fremd Soccer Advances To State

The Fremd Vikings struck three times early in the first half to blow past New Trier 5-1 at the Maine South supersectional in Park Ridge and advance to the state 3A soccer semifinals.

Fremd (16-5-2), which lost year in the superesectionals, will meet Naperville Central in Friday’s semifinal match at Lincoln-Way North in Frankfort at 5 p.m.

“It was a real good game,” said Eric Leonard, who had the Vikings first two goals.

“We came off the bus focused and ready to play. We really wanted it this year. The loss last year really motivated us.”

Fremd appeared highly motivated throughout the game, outplaying and outhustling New Trier (10-11-1) The Vikings were able to put the game away in the first half, scoring three goals in 5:38.

Leonard got the Vikings started on a goal with 28:26 left in the first half.

The Sophomore then netted his 10th goal of the year and his second of the game exactly three minutes later. Yusuke Kanada fed Brian Hindle in the box. Hindle then back passed the ball to Leonard, who drilled the ball in on the lft side from 18 yards out to make it 2-0.

Kanada then came up with best goal of the night. The Senior drilled the ball just under the crossbar from 20 yards out to put the Vikings up 3-0 with 22:48 left in the first half.

“It was a fantastic shot,” Kanada said. “Maybe if I take it 100 times I would make it just once. But this was the time.”

Fremd got an insurance goal with less then 37 seconds left to play when Leonard fed Jon Magnusson on a crossing pass to put the Viklings up 4-0 at the half.

“That goal was huge for us,” Fremd coach Steve Keller said. “It gave us breathing room heading into the second half."

New Trier ruined Fremd goalie Colton Caesius’ shut out with just under 19 minutes to play. Fremd’s Tim Lehigh then struck on a 25-yard shot with just over 11 minutes to play to end the rout.

“It is usually our defense that carries us,” Keller said. “And it did again tonight. The scoring was a bonus.”