Janus, Bears coast past Rolling Meadows

What was missing a week ago for Lake Zurich's boys soccer team was found quickly on Tuesday night.

The Bears brought communication, which led to numerous goals, as they rolled past Rolling Meadows 8-0 in the opening game of the 32-team Pepsi tournament in Lake Zurich.

The fourth-seeded Bears (3-2-2) next play Sandburg at 8 p.m. Thursday near Montrose Harbor in Chicago. Sandburg won its game over St. Ignatius 2-1 on Tuesday.

Bears sophomore Nick Janus notched a hat trick, junior Andy Lynch added 2 goals, senior Reid Bergstrom recorded a goal and 3 assists, and Mike Morrison and Jeff Owens had the other goals. Justin Pennino and Tim Kreutz had assists, as well.

"What we're seeing is that we're putting things together," Lake Zurich coach Mike Schmitz said. "Every game we're trying to get better. Tonight we came together and it was nice to see.

"We just wanted talk, talk and more talk. Even more than that, we played with energy and movement off the ball."

The Bears have been strong at home so far this fall.

"We just dominated here against (Meadows)," Bergstrom said. "Last week, we were trying to put things together and we didn't play together as a team. We've got three different classes trying to play together.

"Everybody is starting to pick things up and we're playing better as a team. We just worked on things in practice with our communication."

Janus, a midfielder and a key player in the Lake Zurich offense, savored his first hat trick.

"I had a lot of help," said Janus, who has 4 goals. "Our team was putting in great balls and there was a good combination of plays by everybody.

"Being the first time on varsity, I guess it's kind of different for me. I was thinking (a hat trick) would come a little later, but I don't mind getting it now."

Lake Zurich sophomore goalkeeper Taao Scarnato returned to the lineup after recovering from a shoulder injury. He made 3 saves and earned a shutout against Meadows (0-3).

"I'm disappointed in a few things we didn't do well," said Meadows coach Peter Mikulak. "But I was also impressed with what I saw Lake Zurich do very well.

"They moved the ball on us a lot and made runs on top. Also, their outside midfielders made some runs to the middle.

"The goals we gave up, our defenders were a step or two behind their forwards. And when (Lake Zurich) had their chances, they didn't miss."