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Impact player: Lopez, Warren top Stevenson

Alexis Lopez tried but could not get out of harm’s way on Tuesday afternoon.

Collectively, however, Warren’s boys soccer team found a way to avoid trouble, as the Blue Devils earned 3-0 victory over host Stevenson in a North Suburban Lake Division match at the Vernon Hills Soccer Complex.

Lopez had been set up in front of the goal and unintentionally stopped a wicked point-blank shot off the leg of teammate Sean Kirwan.

“It hit me in my face, on the nose and lip area,” said Lopez. “I really didn’t see it coming. It was pretty hard and we could’ve scored.”

After the match, Kirwan, in a half-kidding effort to be helpful, suggested that the next time Lopez should get out of the way.

In any case, Lopez quickly shook off the effects of the blocked shot. About 30 seconds after the incident, he scored on a header, finishing a corner kick from Daniel Sczcepanek.

“That one I saw coming and reacted to put it in,” said Lopez of his second goal this season. “I wasn’t nervous and wanted to get back up to score. I didn’t expect to get another chance so quickly.”

Warren (10-2-1) broke a scoreless tie with 3 second-half goals.

Sczcepanek (11 goals) scored the first off an assist from Kirwan in the 43rd minute. Lopez’s goal came in the 71st minute, and Ryan Foster had the final score with an assist from Sczcepanek.

“Both teams had chances in the first half,” Warren coach Jason Ahonen said. “Neither of us could find the back of the net.

“Second half, we got off to a great start and it rolled from there. It was a matter of us finishing our chances. When we had space (Stevenson) would close it down very quickly. It was probably the best team we played this year, with the way they transition from the back to the front.”

Blue Devils goalkeeper Brady Walsh recorded his sixth shutout and made 4 saves.

Stevenson (5-2-2, 2-1) managed to stay with the Blue Devils through the first half and had a few good looks at the goal.

And the Patriots’ defense limited a strong Blue Devils front line on many opportunities.

“I liked our chances,” Stevenson coach Mark Schartner said. “I thought our defense played very well. (Warren) has a nice team. The best team won today.

“We’re not dead in the water by any means and believe we will get better. We’ve been off to a great start and we’re still learning.”