Fillies Soccer Kicks Things Into High Gear

Don’t tell Barrington that the IHSA class 3A state playoffs don’t officially begin until May 18, because the Fillies are already in playoff mode.

“We have treated the last few games (we have played) like mini playoff games,” Barrington’s coach Ryan Stengren said following the team’s 2-0 victory over MSL-W division champs Conant on May 8.  “The girls are training well and have been training as if it is the playoffs.”

“We had to treat this game (with Conant) like a playoff game,” Barrington sophomore Molly Pfeiffer said agreeing with her coach.  “This level of competition is what we will have to play come playoffs.”

If the playoffs were to have started, the Fillies certainly would have had a tough opening round draw facing the division champion Conant Cougars, but would have shown that they are amply prepared for the stretch run in the playoffs.  The Fillies not only battled to a 2-0 victory but ruined Conant’s chances to finish conference play undefeated. 

Pfeiffer, who helped lead Barrington’s attack against the Cougars, got the scoring started early in the contest when she managed to poke in a header that came from freshman Mia Calamari on a set piece.  The goal gave the Fillies a 1-0 advantage.

“She had a great goal to start us off,” Stengren said of his forward.  “(Pfeiffer) kind of does it all and does a lot for us.”

The goal was Pfeiffer’s eighth goal of the year and ties her with senior Emily Hyde for team lead.  But the connection between Pfeiffer and Hyde doesn’t just end there as Pfeiffer recorded the assist on the goal Hyde scored later in the first half.  Hyde’s goal pushed Barrington’s lead to 2-0 and that was more than enough since the defense stepped up especially while containing one of the area’s best players: Courtney Raetzman.

Raetzman, who has scored 17 goals on the year, was held in check by Barrington’s defensive effort led by senior goalkeeper Kelly Pedersen.  Pedersen managed six blocks in the shutout while helping to direct Barrington’s back line which played solid defense all game containing the high powered Cougar offense.

“That sense of urgency was there today,” Pedersen said of her backline.  “We were on the ball today capitalizing on all their mistakes and covering for each other well.”

Pedersen was forced to make two saves late in the second half as Conant managed to test Barrington’s keeper, but she was able to stop any Cougar momentum.

“[Pedersen] had a real good week of training because I’ve been very demanding in what I expect,” Stengren said of his goalie.  “But she has done well; she read the game well and everything was clean.”

The 2-0 victory over Conant was Barrington’s last regular season home game for this year so now the team can ‘officially’ begin preparing for the playoffs that are just around the corner and will start at Barrington’s Community Stadium.

“We’ve been focused and I was pleased with the mentality that we came out here with today,” Stengren said following the victory over Conant.  “Now it’s about being consistent for the playoffs.”

The 3A playoffs start later this week but Barrington will need to wait to see who their first opponent will be as they play the winner of Dundee-Crown and Lake Zurich.  Playing at the Barrington Regional, the Fillies will host the match on May 18 at 5 p.m.