Boys soccer: It's a split for Grayslake Central at Vernon Hills

Two games in one day provided an early season test for Grayslake Central's boys soccer team, and the Rams showed that they should be competitive this fall.

Niles North scored a couple of late goals to edge Grayslake Central 3-2 in Vernon Hills' Cougar Classic on Wednesday night. In its first game of the day, Grayslake Central prevailed over Johnsburg 2-0.

"That was a quality game," coach Tom Hamilton said after his Rams (2-1) lost to Niles North. "That's going to make both of us better going forward this season. I thought our guys gave everything they had. This is a game that will push us and set us up for the postseason."

The Rams held a 2-1 advantage until Niles North (3-1, 2-1) scored twice in the final 16 minutes.

On the tying goal, the Vikings' Isaac Odisho served the ball into the box and the ball went off the head of Charles O'Kane and into the net in the 54th minute. Then, Edwin Alfaro made a move along the end line, beat a defender and slotted a ball in front, where Amcy Adicho knocked in the winning goal in the 66th minute.

"The second goal, he out-jumped us and he was marked," Hamilton said. "We were organized and we made them work for it. Maybe there were some lapses (on the third goal). There's not much I can ask from my players. This is a game we will learn from. Obviously, we would have liked to have gotten more out of it, but at this point of the season, it's good to see the character we had. We should bounce back."

Grayslake Central came out strong in the second half, erasing a 1-0 deficit with a pair of goals. Sebastian Hinestrosa scored after taking a pass from Nick Walker in the opening minute. Leo Orozco then tallied a goal by beating the defense and keeper for a 2-1 lead in the 45th minute.

Aziz Abdul had Niles North's goal in the first half.

Against Johnsburg, Grayslake Central received a pair of goals from Austin Rockol. David Young made 7 saves for a clean sheet.

Niles North 4, Vernon Hills 1: The host Cougars suffered their first loss after three straight wins to open the season.

Vernon Hills (3-1, 2-1 tourney) was playing its fourth game in three days and coming off victories over Johnsburg, Sycamore and Elk Grove.

"Give credit to Niles North. They were hungry with more energy and more enthusiasm," Vernon Hills coach Mike McCaulou said. "It was, by far, our worst game collectively as a group this year. Technically, our first touch was very poor. Our movement off the ball tactically was a struggle. We were lackadaisical and communication was very poor."

Vernon Hills got on the board first, as Cole Guillaume converted a penalty kick in the sixth minute. That came after a foul in the penalty area.

But the Vikings responded with a pair of goals to go into halftime up 2-1. They tallied twice more in the second half. Issac Odisho tied the score in the 26th minute, and Aziz Abdul scored off a pass from Ben Antlept a minute before the break. Irfan Krndzija and Odisho had goals in the second half.

Tournament plays resumes Friday with Vernon Hills taking on Grayslake Central at 4:30 p.m.