Gasecki, Warren make start fast
Warren's boys soccer team enjoyed a great regular season last year and an even postseason run.
The Blue Devils didn't experience the same success this regular season, after graduation took a heavy toll, but they got off to another positive start in the state playoffs Tuesday.
Seeded third in the Libertyville sectional, Warren defeated No. 14 Grant 4-1 in Gurnee for its fourth straight win.
The Blue Devils (10-10-2) will next play in their own regional final at 11 a.m. Saturday against the winner of today's 3 p.m. game between No. 6 Lake Forest and No. 10 Zion-Benton at Warren.
"It's an improvement for us and a team we haven't seen in Grant," said Warren coach Jim McNamara, whose team is the defending state runner-up in Class AA.
"(Grant) moved the ball nicely, but we did some things right in the first half. I really haven't understood the boys yet this season. Every game, it's liking flipping a coin (as far as which team will show up)."
Warren junior Oskar Gasecki had his best offensive game of the year, scoring twice in the game's first eight minutes.
"I haven't scored too many goals this year," said Gasecki, who has five. "I guess I haven't been finishing like I should. It all comes down to timing and being more composed with the ball.
"As a team, we're starting to finish more and we're finding ways to win."
Gasecki knocked in the Blue Devils' first goal in the second minute on a header, which came off a Ruben Gaytan corner kick.
Gasecki added his second goal in the eighth minute, knocking in a shot off a Grant defender.
Warren freshman Brandon Brown scored off a Nick Sanchez assist in the 26th minute, and Gaytan made it 4-0 in the 39th minute.
"Warren is pretty tough and we were trying to hang in there," Grant defender Mike Hurtado said. "At first, we started out scared, but then we got into the game. They were moving the ball like we were, but they would counter on us."
Grant (6-11-4) got its goal from Shane Hunter in the 40th minute. Mario Cordova assisted.
"I thought we had a much better second half," said Grant coach Shane Rivette, whose team played Warren to a scoreless draw after intermission. "We just got behind early in the game and couldn't get back into it.
"Warren came out with a lot of intensity and set the tone. They just dictated everything after that."
Carmel 3, Antioch 0: The top-seeded Corsairs earned a berth in their own regional final.
Carmel (15-5-2) will play the winner of today's 4 p.m. game between No. 8 Wauconda and No. 9 Waukegan at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Antioch finished 8-12-2.