MT. PROSPECT --- There was a unique atmosphere at the Hersey-Prospect game in the late afternoon Friday.

Yes, the weather was warmer than usual for an early October game, and there wasn’t a football game later that night because all the conference teams played Thursday night.

And the Cardinal Cup, based on the in-season matches between Hersey, Prospect and Rolling Meadows, was on the line.

But there was a bigger goal at play, as punctuated by a large and boisterous contingent of Rolling Meadows soccer players who added to the ambience at the park. The Mustangs announced their presence in the third minute of the game by chanting loudly, “Let’s go Prospect!”

The sudden burst immediately caused everyone’s heads to turn and let everyone on hand know this was not going to be your average, everyday Mid-Suburban League East Division game.

Rolling Meadows had a reason for attending the match. The East Division title its Soccer Cup berth hinged on Hersey’s result in the match. The Mustangs were cheering for the host Knights to knock off the Huskies, so Rolling Meadows could claim the conference title.

The Mustangs hoped the Knights would be inspired by their presence and large cheering section to pull off the upset. Their verbal offerings even disputed several calls by the referees. 

The entertainment in the crowd added to the effort on the pitch and amped up the ambience.

Rolling Meadows would’ve claimed the East title outright with a Hersey defeat or draw to Prospect. Instead, the Huskies advance to the MSL title game via the second tiebreaker -- best record in the division.

Rolling Meadows (13-3-3, 7-1-3) and Hersey played to a 1-1 conference tie Oct. 8. 

There was another different feel to the match with fans on both sides of the field. Hersey followers were instructed to sit on the smaller grandstand, directly behind the team benches on the west side of the field.

Hersey didn’t worry about any of the distractions. The Huskies dominated the run of play, did not let Prospect gain any momentum and posted an authoritative 3-0 victory to capture the East Division crown.

As soon as the final buzzer sounded, the Huskies (11-3-5, 7-1-3) rushed the field to celebrate the victory. 

They will host Conant at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Soccer Cup.

In the immediate aftermath of the game another Cup held their attention.

Senior captain and forward Ray Reyes was one of the first players to snare the large Cardinal Cup trophy and then proudly walked the shiny travelling trophy cup to the sidelines. 

Johnny Antoniou scored and recorded an assist to earn Man of the Match honors. Kacper Lechowicz, and Reyes added goals. Keeper Adrian Smakowski recorded two saves for the clean-sheet.

“It’s amazing to have the trophy back at Hersey,” Reyes said. “It’s just great. Coming into this game, we knew it was going to be hard. Prospect is always an amazing game. 

“We knew we had to bring it and not let off the pedal. The team did amazing, just pressuring and scoring, and our set pieces were amazing today.”

Hersey coach Mike Rusniak said it was the program’s second East Division title in three years, and third since 2008 when they won the MSL Cup. The program lost in the final to Fremd in 2006 and 2007.

“We had to get a win in order to clinch the Mid-Suburban League East,” Rusniak said. “This was a high-stakes game, a big game. 

“We talked to the kids about mentally staying locked in. Not only did the game have a lot at stake, but we also knew there was going to be a good atmosphere with Rolling Meadows being here and supporting Prospect. 

“I think they did a really good job focusing on how we play, and us. I couldn’t be more pleased. I think it makes the environment more special and separated it by having our fans behind us. I can’t complain there.

“The boys loved it. It made it feel even more special. The intensity and effort we brought was really key. We needed to get that first goal to get some momentum and get our legs underneath us. I think they did a great job with that. 

“I thought our defense did a great job, like Joey Farrell and Nate Mabry and Lian Berk. We started two sophomores as our outside backs, but they’ve been so consistent. That’s been great. 

“I’m proud of our keeper for having a shutout, but also his leadership was fantastic. That’s all you can ask from your captains is to be strong leaders. Even the kids who came into the game late were great.”

Prospect keeper Finn Whalen deserved credit for keeping the game closer than it could have been. The senior had his hands full in the first half as the Huskies sent waves of shots his way. 

Whalen recorded seven of his 10 saves in the first 40 minutes for the Knights (3-8-4, 1-5-1).

“I know I can make the saves, but when you get that many shots, sometimes there’s not much you can do,” Whalen said. 

“I was panting for a second. They had a lot of shots in a short amount of time. They were in our half the whole game. It was hard to keep the ball out.”

Prospect coach Jenna Samp was a bit frustrated. 

“We knew this was going to be a tough game, and I think mentally tough for us, because there’s a lot that rides on this game, especially with the Cardinal Cup,” Samp said. “We had already tied Rolling Meadows. I think they were feeling that pressure. 

“As soon as the first goal was scored, and it was questionable, our minds went to that. The mentality of the game started to crumble with it. You have to be able to take the switch and flip the game around. 

“Their set pieces, the big throws, were dangerous but also because of our own mistakes. Those are balls we should be winning, the 50/50 balls. It almost looked like it didn’t touch anybody on their throw-in (goal).

“We had to come to play and want it more. Finn is awesome in goal. He’s always communicating with his defensive line and adjusting to the play. That’s the biggest thing. When you have a team like this which is going to put in the deep 50/50 ball, you have players screaming in front of you, and he does a good job juggling that and handling it and making the smart play.”

 
Starting lineups

Hersey
GK: Adrian Smakowski
D: Lian Berk
D: Nate Mabry
D: Joe Farrell
MF: Adam Myslinski
MF: Johnny Antoniou
MF: Teddy Reyes
MF: Nik VanDeMark
F: Ray Reyes
F: Diego Ortiz
F: Kacper Lechowicz
 
Prospect
GK: Griffen Whalen
D: Cristos Natsis
D: Rique Huezo
D: Andrew Moreth
D: Quinn Zinzer
MF: Hayden Hoelting
MF: Elijah Mueller
MF: Michael Casaletto
MF: Miko Myszka
F: Matthew Fouch
F: Marcus Cullotta
 
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Johnny Antoniou, so., MF, Hersey
 
 
Scoring summary

First half
Hersey: Lechowicz (Mabry), 27’
Hersey: Antoniou (unassisted), 30’
 
Second half
Hersey: Reyes (Antoniou), 52’