Fremd tops Elk Grove for MSL Cup

Updated: March 22, 2011 5:22PM

Fremd midfielder Alex Prelipceanu and his teammates have been singularly focused on the state playoffs, but in the process of the Vikings have racked up several impressive accomplishments along the way.

Prelipceanu saved a goal and scored a goal in the space of six minutes at the start of the second half and Lorezo Savino added two goals to propel No. 6 Fremd to a 3-1 victory Thursday over Elk Grove to claim its first Mid-Suburban League Cup since 1993.

The title comes on the heels of the Vikings' Best of the West tournament championship earlier in the year and Fremd heads into the Class 3A state playoffs with an eight-game win streak, outscoring its opponents 22-6 during the run.

"We knew we were going to be good this year, but man, all these achievements we've been stacking up, it's unbelievable," Prelipceanu said.

Prelipceanu tracked back to clear a sure goal off the line on a shot that slipped past Vikings goalie Scott Sutarik (three saves) 1:29 into the second half.

Six minutes later, Prelipceanu finished of a darting run by heading in a corner from Brian Hindle with 32:33 left in the second.

"[Coach] Keller was riding my butt all day in practice yesterday, telling me, ‘You're making the wrong runs you're not coming out wide and checking I,' " Prelipceanu said. "So I listened to him and boom – goal. He's a great coach and if you listen to him, that's what happens."

Savino slotted home from 15-yards out with 13:29 to play after he was played in on goal by Matt Burkhardt and lobbed the goalie with 1.9 second remaining for his second goal for the Vikings (15-2-2).

"These guys, particularly these seniors, have been through a couple years where we've really struggled," Keller said. "For them to come full circle and get this accomplishment is a testament to their hard work."

Cesar Rodriguez punched in a rebound in front of goal on a determined second effort with 4:18 left in the second, five minutes after he had hit the post from 18 yards, to pull Elk Grove (12-6) within 2-1.

"We were down but we kept fighting," said Rodriguez, whose team made its first appearance in the MSL Cup. "We could have won, we just need to finish better in the final third."

Frankie Ortiz made three saves for the Grenadiers.

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