Match by match, Hersey finds out more about itself. The Huskies are on a strong run enhanced by increased scoring.

The latest success was a string of goals in the first half on set pieces that led a big lead and 3-1 nonconference home win over Stevenson on Saturday morning.

No. 20 Hersey put away three restarts to control the tempo against the 13th-ranked Patriots.

The Huskies (9-2-3) extended their unbeaten streak to 10 matches with increased offensive production. They have scored 22 goals in their last eight contests.

"I think there's a lot of trust among the players," Hersey coach Michael Rusniak said. "They really support each other. Our play in the middle has been consistent and energetic. They work really well. 

“I think our depth we've had this year is keeping kids fresh. We've moved them in and out without much of a drop off. It's been really helpful. They've really come cohesive in a short period of time."

The Huskies built a three-goal lead after 26 minutes.

"We've had a lot of opportunities in games with our set pieces," Rusniak said. "We just haven't been able to capitalize like we did (today). I think it's a big confidence thing. 

“We don't really do a ton of set piece practice. But it's understanding each other's tendencies, which is really helpful. Who will be at the end of the ball when it’s kicked? It's been a really nice surprise."

Hersey started its scoring off a Nate Mabry throw-in into the penalty area. Nik VanDeMark got on the end of it for a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute. 

"Offensively, it's just like a corner kick," Mabry said. "You put the ball inside the six-yard box, and give our guys to get a head on it."

Mabry's flip-throw, which has been combined with a a skill from another sport to near perfection, is a highly dangerous weapon.

"I was a gymnast, and it's been a decade in the making," Mabry said. "I've been doing it since I was six or seven. 

“I can throw the ball 60 yards. It's mainly the arm-strength and the technique. It's gotten longer and longer each year playing soccer."

After a corner kick, Adam Myslinski scored an unassisted goal off a loose ball in the 19th minute. That made it 2-0 Huskies.

Then, Mabry added a goal off an assist from VanDeMark that started off as a corner in the 26th minute.

Stevenson (6-3-5) got a goal back in the 40th minute. Navaan Kistanna scored off a deflection that rolled into the goal. 

In the second half, the Patriots tried to push forward and rally but couldn't find another goal due to a fine performance from the Huskies defense. Stevenson had a few chances but couldn't put them away.

The Hersey defense, Lian Berk, Mabry and Urik Contla, were resolute. Berk earned the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honor for his play.

"It feels good to lead, but we still need to work on our game," Berk said. "The defense and midfield talk a lot. It really helps us with communication. From the start of the season to now it's gone way up, and it’s way better. The team is scoring goals now with all the communication.”

Stevenson likes to schedule a matchup with Hersey before the seeding meeting. It helps both teams in the long run. 

"We schedule this game intentionally, so Mike (Rusniak) and I understand each other and the conferences," Stevenson coach Pepejon Chavez said. "So, we can support the right set-up for sectionals. 

“We come into this game to win every single time. You hope you can win it, because it can give you the positive feeling moving forward. But we can learn from anything."

After a seven-match unbeaten streak (4-0-3), Stevenson is now on a three-game winless run (0-1-2). In North Suburban Conference play, the Patriots fell out of a first place tie with a 1-0 loss to Warren and 1-1 with Lake Forest last week.

"There's a trend that's really got my boys mixed up a little bit," Chavez said, "That trend is that we're lacking a little bit of the love that our team has been built on over the years. 

“That love, sacrifice and service, this team is starting to understand what that is. So, we're in the mix in all of our games. Even in this one, we had a chance to comeback, and the boys believed. 

“There's a little bit of stank in the air, and we're working ourselves through it."  

Stevenson defender Cole Dirks sees that the team hasn't been playing together in recent games. 

"We're just not working hard enough," Dirks said. "Honestly, we're all good individuals, but we need to bond more as a team. I think we can play better if we're connecting more. I think that would benefit every team."

If the Patriots figure it out, look out.

"Stevenson is always a good side, and we always want to play them in a good nonconference match," Rusniak said. "I feel like we've always had strong games. (Stevenson) is always well-coached. I have a ton of respect for him (Chavez). 

“His teams are good to get on the nonconference side. They will always be a tough team to play. It does give us a nice barometer of where we should be and what's working, what we need to continue working on."

Starting Lineups 

Stevenson
GK-Seth Levy
D-Cole Dirks
D-Tony Mo
D-Aakash Rao 
D-Mohit Demodaren
MF-Jack Bacher
MF-Zachary Aaron 
MF-Navaan Kistanna 
MF-Victor Landa
F-Mark Vrana 
F-Lincoln Ponce

Hersey
GK-Adrian Smakowski
D-Lian Berk
D-Nate Mabry
D-Urik Contla
MF-Dari Kishachak
MF-Adam Myslinski
MF-Johnny Antoniou
MF-Teddy Reyes
MF-Nik VanDeMark
F-Ray Reyes
F-Diego Ortiz

Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Lian Berk so., D, Hersey

Scoring summary

First half
Hersey-Nik VanDeMark (Nate Mabry), 4'
Hersey-Adam Myslinski (unassisted), 19'
Hersey-Nate Mabry (VanDeMark), 26'
S-Navaan Kistanna (unassisted), 40'

Second half
No scoring