LZ’s Brown helps Marquette to Big East title
Former Lake Zurich soccer standout Rachel Brown is enjoying a big finish to her career at Marquette.
Brown and her Golden Eagle teammates won their first Big East Championship title in program history with a 1-0 victory over Georgetown at Rentschler Field in Connecticut on Sunday.
Junior Taylor Madigan’s goal in the 87th minute was the match-winner for Marquette (16-2-2).
Brown, who was named All Big East first team, is part of a senior class which owns a 64-16-8 record since 2009. That ranks ninth in the NCAA among active senior classes.
Brown won a regular-season title in each year at Marquette. The four straight titles is a first for the women’s soccer program.
Other highlights for Brown this season include 3 points (goal and an assist) in a win over St. Bonaventure, a goal in the Big East opener at Pittsburgh, 3 points against Seton Hall (goal and an assist), a header for a goal on a corner kick in the third minute for her fourth goal of the season against Syracuse and an assist on Lisa Philbin’s goal in a 4-0 victory over USF.
Swimming
Denison sophomore Ben Snader (Libertyville) posted multiple victories in a 266-129 victory over Wabash at the Trumbull Aquatic Center in Granville, Ohio.
He captured the 50 (27.73) and 200 (2:12.82) breaststroke titles.
Snader was a 2010 state medalist in the 100 breaststroke.
Last year, he was an All American for the Big Red and part of the third-place 200 medley relay team of the Division III national champs.
Feeder basketball
The Libertyville Jcats (www.libertyvillejcats.com), the approved feeder basketball program for Libertyville High School is looking for young men interested in assistant coaching positions in its program.
The Jcats are looking for ex Jcats or Libertyville High School graduates that may be interested in getting experience in coaching.
The Jcats play a 35-game schedule (fifth through eighth grade) starting in mid-December until mid-March. Practices are Tuesday and Thursday nights. If interested please send an inquiry to jcatbasketball@gmail.com.
Prospect girls golf
Prospect’s girls golf team, which has become a state power under coach Jim Hamann, is the feature story on the cover of the November All*Star Magazine.
Hamann is featured in the “Coach’s Corner” segment and Noreen Caporusso is pictured following through with her driver on the front cover.
The Knights won the 2011 Class AA state title and were the runners-up this fall.
Prospect’s Molini commits
Prospect senior guard Michele Molini has announced she will continue her basketball career at Wisconsin-Whitewater.
The senior guard was one of the top 3-point shooters in the Mid-Suburban League as a junior. She made 49 and converted 44 percent from the 3-point range.
Molini, who will play for Prospect first-year coach Ashley Sandstead this winter, also averaged 10 points and 1.5 assists.
She is also the shortstop for the Knights softball team.
Men’s cross country
Iowa State sophomore Alec Bollman (Palatine) was named to the second team Academic All Big-12 team in cross country.
At Palatine, Bollman was the high school 1,600-meter state champion his senior year. As a junior, he placed eighth in the same event. Bollman holds personal records in the 800-meters (1:52), 1600-meters (4:13) and the 3200-meters (9:23).
Ÿ Oakton Community College sophomore Haider Sheikh (Maine West) finished 14th (28:19) in the 8K race at the NJCAA Region IV Division I cross country meet hosted by Sauk Valley Community College on October 27. His time allows Sheikh to compete at the NJCAA Division I Men’s Cross Country National Championship on Saturday at Rend Lake College.
Men’s soccer
Carthage College junior midfielder/forward Billy Hamilton (St. Viator) scored 4 goals with 4 assists to be named Capital One Academic All-District 6.
Hamilton, a double major in graphic design and public relations, was voted to the district team by regional members of the College Sports Information Directors of America. His name will be placed on a national ballot for consideration as a Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-America.
Women’s volleyball
North Central freshman setter Laura Kluk (Palatine) finished the season as the Cardinals’ leader in assists (1,216) and service aces (56). She also contributed in kills (113) and digs (249) and blocks (46).
North Central freshman outside hitter/right side Amanda Hilmer (Palatine) was third on the team in kills (240) and contributed in assists (3) and digs (62). She also added 31 total blocks.
The Cardinals finished their season with an overall record of 23-11 and a conference record of 5-2.
Ÿ Millikin freshman Sara Travis (Schaumburg) had 10 kills in a 3-1 win over Greenville. She also had 17 in a 3-2 win over Illinois Wesleyan,
Women’s cross country
Augustana sophomore Stephanie Burbidge (Palatine) was the second Viking across the line at the
North Central Invitational as she took 19th in 18:53.36. Augustana placed fourth at the meet.
Ÿ Please email Sports Notes items to jleusch@dailyherald.com or FAX to (847) 427-1173.