Boys soccer: Gallaher times it right as Grayslake Central prevails

Welcome back, Logan Gallaher.

The Grayslake Central senior midfielder had been out for the last two weeks with a hyperextended knee. He returned to the lineup Tuesday night and scored his first goal of the season, which was also the game-winner, as the Rams edged visiting Lakes 2-1 in a Northern Lake County Conference game.

"This was a good game to come back," Gallaher said.

The game-winning goal came in the 64th minute off a cross by Seb Hinestrosa. The ball took a fortunate bounce for Gallaher, who calmly knocked the ball into the net.

"I was just waiting for it," Gallaher said. "I saw my player on the outside going for the cross. I was just sitting there, and the deflection came to me. It popped up in front of me, I swung at it and hoped for the best. I was a little worried because it came to my left foot, and I'm naturally right-footed. I just trusted myself to get it."

Grayslake Central (3-2-2, 2-0) jumped out to a 1-0 advantage in the 26th minute off a quick counter-attack. It started with keeper Gred Madjorov's punt that went off the leg Henry Morrison. Austin Rockel finished the scoring chance.

Lakes had a number of chances in the first half and had a goal called off due to offsides. Another shot by the Eagles went off the crossbar.

Lakes (7-4, 3-1) tied the match in the 51st minute. That's when the Eagles had another shot go off the post, but this time Daniel Stiegel finished.

"We had too many chances early in the game that we didn't finish on," Lakes coach Kevin Kullby said. "To (Grayslake Central's) credit, they were there to stop some situations. I think we played really well, but when you get those chances early on you have to finish."

The Rams remain the only unbeaten team in the NLCC.

"We started out with two tough ones. It was nice to have Logan (Gallaher) back," Grayslake Central coach Tom Hamilton said. "He gives us a lot of composure in the middle that gives the rest of them some confidence out there. I think our attack was there a lot more here in this one. We were hustling and finding some interesting space and had some balance with our defense."

The Rams may be atop the conference, but they know there is still plenty of soccer left.

"There are no easy games," Hamilton said. "All these games are tight, and we respect every opponent we play and fear no one. Antioch will be a big test for us, being their homecoming. We're hoping to continue the streak."