Cary-Grove cruises to Grant title

Cary-Grove’s boys soccer team wanted to be sure they’d win the Grant Invitational on Saturday afternoon.

And they did so with emphasis.

The Trojans captured the title with a 5-0 shutout over host Grant in the championship game in Fox Lake.

Cary-Grove (3-1) won all three games in the round-robin format and didn’t allow a goal.

Zac Solarte and Kevin Wilde scored twice and Mike McKune knocked in the other goal against Grant.

“Our big thing was our movement off the ball,” Cary-Grove coach Mark Olson said. “We did a very nice job of being dynamic and playing for one another. There was definitely enough ball to go around. It was good to see the teamwork and chemistry over the last three games.”

The Trojans worked the ball well over all parts of the field, and it showed during the tournament.

“It starts in the back with our keeper, Tom (Breen), and goes all the way to the front,” Olson said. “They come out and have been able to be jelling out there. It’s a matter of getting used to each other again.

“It’s way too early and there’s still a lot of things we can get better at doing. But it’s a good start.”

Breen recorded his third straight shutout and made 3 saves against Grant (4-3, 2-1). But he insisted credit for the Trojans’ defensive stinginess should go to the whole team.

“It all starts with the forwards, and the rest of the defense makes it easier for me,” said Breen, whose back liners include Erik Gustafson, Robby Perez, Justin Low, Erich Angeles and Nolan Walsh.

“They did a great job all this week. You see how hard the boys are working hard in front of you for the shutout. You want to work just as hard to get it.”

Cary-Grove won its morning game with a 9-0 shutout over Harvard (6-3-1, 0-3)

Kevin Wilde scored 4 goals and had a total of 9 goals over the 3 games. Other goals were netted by Eric Wilde, Solarte, McKune and Drew Connor.

Grant finished in second place and learned a good deal from its tournament experience.

“Over the first couple of games we gained confidence,” Grant coach Shane Rivette said. “Against Cary-Grove we made some mistakes and need to improve on them. Cary-Grove was a good team and we can learn from that game. It was good to see a team like that, and now we have to move on.”

The Bulldogs won their earlier game on Saturday, 2-1 over Grayslake North (4-3, 1-2).

Daniel Villa scored both goals and Alex Zepeda picked up an assist, which included the game-winning goal in the 72nd minute.

Grayslake North picked up third place after a 2-1 victory over Harvard that took two overtimes.

Carson Klarck hit the golden goal on a penalty kick with one-tenth of a second left in the second overtime. It came after Dennis Biesiada was knocked down in the box.

“I want to be a clutch player and lead this team,” said. Klarck, who now has 6 goals. “I feel this is my year to show it and make it happen. I have to give credit to the rest of the team that fought back.”

Klarck scored the tying goal in the 72nd minute on a rebound off the keeper.

The Knights were pleased to have earned the victory with a late comeback.

“It goes to show that we’ve got the ability to come back,” Grayslake North coach Adam DeCaluwe said. “These guys have a way to work for each other, and they work hard.

“We kind of buried ourselves, down a goal in the first half. We were fortunate to come back.”