Patrick McGavin’s girls soccer notes

THREE THINGS TO KNOW

No. 1. Watch out for Fremd. The No. 20 Vikings enter state tournament play on fire. Behind star senior midfielder Michelle Mottonen, Fremd (11-5-2) has won eight out of ten underlined by victories over No. 4 Waubonsie Valley and No. 12 Hersey.

“I think our team has realized the importance of playing together and competing every day,” coach Steve Keller said. “The girls have found their rhythm.”

A No. 7 seed in the Mundelein Sectional, Fremd hosts its own Class 3A regional.

No. 2. As Payton confronts No. 18 Lane for the city title 7:30 p.m., Friday at UIC, the Grizzlies face the daunting task of slowing down a Lane team that has outscored Public League competition 69-2 this year.

“It’s going to be hard, but this is the game all the seniors have been pointing to,” Payton midfielder Marley Reifert said. “We’ve waited four years to get into a city championship and we’ve worked hard to get here.”

No. 3. The Suburban Christian title is up for grabs on Saturday when defending Class 2A state champion St. Francis visits Rosary. With its

only losses coming against Class 3A programs in Geneva and Oswego, the Royals poses the greatest threat to the 13-0 Spartans. Michigan State-recruit Kaitlin Johnson is an elite talent, Molly Piech is a skilled forward and sophomore forward Quincy Kellett is a star on the make.