Buckels, Grayslake North secure a tie with Lakes

A midfielder a year ago, Lucas Buckels has stepped into the role of a principal defender this fall, and Grayslake North's soccer team has delighted.

"Buckels is as solid as they come, mentally and physically," Knights coach Adam DeCaluwe said. "He understands everything that we're trying to do. He's being the big boy in the back and setting the tempo. He's really been a monster for us, and the team follows his lead."

Grayslake North's new-and-improved back line has kept the Knights in games all season, and that was the case again Saturday in a 0-0 tie with host Lakes in a nonconference game in chilly Lake Villa.

"We don't have a lot of experience with the back four," Buckels said. "So I definitely have to communicate what's going on."

The Knights (10-6-2) earned their fourth shutout of the season. They lost to Grayslake Central 1-0 in penalty kicks Thursday night in Fox Valley Fox play. Dylan Harmon, JC Thomas and Danny Wilson start on the back line with Buckels. The four defenders have complemented each other.

"We're really together as a unit," Buckels said. "We've been working on our new back-four system the whole season. We definitely have a lot of communication with the keeper (Dean Jones). We're shifting in the back, and it has helped us improve a lot."

"We've been able to change our system a little bit," DeCaluwe said. "We've been a little short on the shutouts, but in some of the games we've given up goals late. The nice thing about the team is that they know that they need to build from the back. You have to earn right to play by defending first. We've taken that to heart."

Lakes (5-8-5) allowed Grayslake North few opportunities in the offensive end of the field. The wind, light rain and cold didn't help either team generate many scoring chances. The Eagles' back line of Parker Edwards, Derek Espinosa, Ryan Kelekian, Cam Beezley and Dave Milostan and keeper Jack Monson were at the top of their game too. Milostan filled in for Brandon deBoer.

Monson made 8 stops.

"All things considered, I thought the team held up very well," Lakes coach Kevin Kullby said. "Our defense has played very well throughout the year. Against Grayslake North, we played a perfect game on defense. It was good see it. It was tough with the wind to control the ball and set up a shot. To (Grayslake North's) credit, they pressure the ball very well. They might have had more of the play."

"I'm just disappointed that we didn't get more going forward," DeCaluwe said. "We had some nice chances, but we put them at the keeper, instead of believing in ourselves and finishing them off."