Grant, Cary-Grove net first-round wins

Getting its game on track is something Grant’s boys soccer team has been patiently waiting for early this season.

The Bulldogs did put together a complete game Tuesday, and the result was a 2-1 victory over visiting Harvard in Fox Lake as Grant (2-2) claimed victory in its Grant Invite opener.

“We started off the season slow and this was a good performance,” Grant coach Shane Rivette said. “We were a little more dynamic. We had some good runs and some good possession.”

The Bulldogs had the run of play for most of the contest against Harvard (4-1-1, 0-1).

But Grant found itself tied 1-1 at the break and needed to get momentum in its favor.

“I mentioned to the boys at half that we needed to push for that goal,” Rivette said. “We wanted to change the tone for the second half. We squeaked one through and it changed the outcome.”

The Bulldogs’ Daniel Villa scored the winning goal in the 45th minute off an assist from Andres Velarde.

“I made my run and saw the opening,” Villa said. “I saw the keeper (Evan Grieshop) come out, kept my head up and put the ball right around, into the corner.”

Alex Zepeda scored the Bulldogs’ first goal on a one-time volley kick which was played off Grieshop in the 32nd minute.

Harvard got its goal from Eduardo Juarez in the 38th minute to tie the game.

“Grant has some speed and wants to do well,” Harvard coach David Abel said. “If you have kids that grow together, then you will have success.”

Cary-Grove 5, Grayslake North 0: With just two games in the books in his varsity career, sophomore Kevin Wilde has already notched his first hat trick for Cary-Grove’s boys soccer team.

His older brother, Eric, a senior, assisted one of them and also scored one of his own. Zac Solarte had the Trojans’ other goal as Cary-Grove raced past Grayslake North 5-0 in the opener of the Grant Invite on Tuesday afternoon in Fox Lake.

“It was my teammates,” said Kevin Wilde, who now has 4 goals in a couple of games. “I was set up very well for all the goals. The passes were set up for me to follow up on.

“Our whole team chemistry is pretty good and we’re a good group of friends.”

Cary-Grove (1-1) lost its season opener to state champion Rockford Boylan 3-2 but took charge against Grayslake North by scoring a couple of first-half goals.

“I’m just pleased with the way we came out and played offensively,” Cary-Grove coach Mark Olson said. “Defensively, I got to give (Grayslake Norh) credit, too. We were on our heels late in the first half.

“Even though it’s a young season, we’ve looked good in practice, and here today we looked pretty good out there.”

Cary-Grove keeper Tom Breen had a clean sheet and made 5 saves with help from defenders Erik Gustafson, Mike Loke, Justin Lowe and Nolan Walsh.

The Knights (2-1) finished second in the Cougars Classic last weekend and couldn’t their its wheels turning against the Trojans.

“Hats off to a good team,” Grayslake North coach Adam DeCaluwe said. “We worked and kind of chased them. A team like that will make you chase and we did that. Cary-Grove made us pay on every opportunity.”

Tournament play resumes Saturday at Grant: Grant vs. Grayslake North (9 a.m.), Harvard vs. Cary-Grove (11 a.m.), Grayslake North vs. Harvard (1 p.m.) and Cary-Grove vs. Grant (3 p.m.)