Girls soccer: Davis sets up Grayslake North's season-opening win

Grayslake North's Lauren Davis was in the giving mood Saturday.

The junior dished out assists to Iman Hamilton and Sydney Paez, as the host Knights opened their season by shutting out Jacobs 2-0 in a nonconference match. A midfielder, Davis slid up front on occasion.

"I like to set people up," Davis said. "When I (move up), they cover for me."

Grayslake North boasts 15 returning players, and that experience should help the Knights have success this spring.

"Even the new people have fit in right away," Davis said. "We love spending time together.

"We haven't gotten sick of each other yet," she added with a laugh. "We all like each other and understand the game similarly. It's not at all a one-, two- or three-man team."

Davis helped opening the scoring in the fourth minute. Paez sent a pass to Davis, who hit a cross for the back post. That's where Hamilton brought it down and finished it.

"I just tried to get it on the back post," Hamilton said. "I went after it as hard as I could. It was exciting to get (the goal). I had a lot of adrenaline. I knew if I got it with my head, I could get it in."

Paez converted in the 59th minute, finishing a pass from Davis.

The Knights finally played a match after previous tries against Crystal Lake South and Prairie Ridge were canceled due to inclement weather.

"We've been fortunate enough to get a couple of practices outside, but we haven't been able to go full field," Grayslake North coach Adam DeCaluwe said. "It was nice to get a game in. It allows us to see what we're all about. I'm happy with the performance. They're a good group of kids to work with, and I hope it equates to wins."

Grayslake North keeper Emily Dunne earned a clean sheet by making 5 saves.

Jacobs (0-2) had a much better match after losing to Streamwood on Thursday.

"There was a lot more progress," Jacobs coach Stephanie Schuck said. "This was our second time outside. It makes it a lot more challenging. We need to work on things like spreading the field and crossing the ball. We don't have the space for that (indoors). Hopefully this coming week we can get to those kind of things outside. The girls are really positive and ready to move forward. We just have to make sure that we execute when the game comes."