Group effort lifts Grayslake Central
Sure, the season is young, but Grayslake Central’s boys soccer team already is making clear progress.
The Rams put together one of their better games so far with a 4-0 shutout over visiting Antioch on Wednesday afternoon in a nonconference game.
Phillip Longenecker contributed a goal and an assist. Kyle Martinez, Johnny Madrid and Asa Goldsmith scored the others and Jacob Swearingen had an assist.
“I’m happy with the progress we’ve made so far this year,” said Longenecker, who tallied his first goal and had an assist. “Our main goal the coach (Mike McCaulou) keeps drilling us on is to keep the ball and possess it. Our midfield has done so well, setting me up some great through balls.”
Longenecker, a junior, scored the opening goal for Grayslake Central (2-3) on a header following a throw-in from Alex Stickler in the 12th minute.
“It was all effort,” said Longenecker, who stands 5-foot-6. “We do work on headers in practice. It’s just comes down to the effort in a game.
“Normally, I like to keep the ball at my feet, but I was lucky on this one.”
Longenecker set up the second Rams goal on a free kick, sending it ahead for a one-time redirected blast from Martinez at the 50-minute mark.
“We’re told to think quickly off the ball, even though the ball is stopped,” Longenecker said. “You’ve got to have the awareness of where the other players are at. I saw the hole and Kyle recognized it, and we were able to connect.”
Madrid’s goal came on a loose ball in the 66th minute, and Goldsmith knocked in the other with a pass from Swearingen.
Grayslake Central keeper Kevin Anderson made 5 saves and earned a shutout against Antioch (1-2-1).
“We did some good things out of the back,” McCaulou said. “We’re finding our midfield and its different phases of the game. Now it’s finding the middle third and the attacking third of the field.
“It’s still early in the season, and it’s nonconference. We need to raise the bar higher. Antioch does hustle all over the field. They’re a young team and once they get more games under their belt, they will improve.”