Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for the Mid-Suburban League’s main event.
Rolling Meadows and host Hersey are set to duke it out for the top of the conference table and more importantly the East Division’s berth in the conference’s Soccer Bowl championship match.
The opening bell sounds at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday.
Rolling Meadows has had a standout season at 12-2-2 overall and 7-0-2 in league play. The Mustangs bring a nine-match unbeaten string (7-0-2) to the pitch.
Coach Brett Olson expects the match to be a dandy for his 23rd-ranked Mustangs.
"In my seven years as a head coach, all but one of our games against Hersey has been a tie or a one-goal game," he said. "It's always a competitive match with players who are very familiar with one another.
“It's going to take a top-notch effort for us to get a result. I'm sure Mike (Rusniak) would say the same thing."
The Hersey coach has his no. 10 Huskies (10-3-3, 6-1-2) humming along.
"We really have found our stride in playing a complete game," Rusniak said. "We've grown through the challenges and adversity we've faced and have recognized what we need to do to be successful. I know the team is looking forward to these upcoming games and playoffs."
With a win, Rolling Meadows would lock up its first division title in 25 years.
Hersey must win for a chance to take the title outright. If the Huskies prevail, the teams would sit in a deadlock at 23 points with one league game remaining. If the two finish even after 11 Mid-Suburban League games, head-to-head competition is the first tiebreaker. The divisional record is the second: Rolling Meadows currently stands at 2-0-1; Hersey’s mark is 2-1-0.
There’s another prize at stake in the match. It’s the Cardinal Cup, which is based on a competition between Hersey, Rolling Meadows and Prospect.
"It's a traveling trophy that's awarded to the team with the best record between the schools," Rusniak said. "It's named after the Arlington High School mascot. When the school closed, the students were divided between Hersey, Rolling Meadows and Prospect.
"For the boys, winning the Cup is always one of the team goals of the season. Not only does winning the Cup come with bragging rights but also a big sense of an accomplishment.
“Every year, regardless of record or standing, each Cardinal Cup game is intense and competitive. It's special to see the boys get really excited for these games, but it also makes those games even more exciting and fun to participate in."
Rolling Meadows has extra incentive to take the Cup.
"We have yet to win it the first three years, and we would love to this year," Olson said.
Prospect has taken the prize twice, and Hersey has claimed it once.
This match is the second of the Cardinal Cup competition this season. Prospect tied Rolling Meadows 1-1 on Oct. 4.