Carroll's heads-up play lifts Mundelein

A perfectly designed goal, a perfectly placed shot.

Mundelein junior Kim Carroll headed in a corner kick off the foot of senior Courtney Bestler in the 46th minute, and that's all the Mustangs needed in their season opener, as they knocked off host Grayslake Central 1-0 in a nonconference game Thursday night.

"I just got assigned to the right run," Carroll said. "Courtney (delivered) a beautiful ball.

"She put it about eight yards out. It really was for anyone who was in the area. I'm not really known for getting headers, but it was a game-winner."

The game was played evenly through the first 40 minutes. The 5-foot-4 Carroll then negotiated her way into the box, put her head on Bestler's serve and ended the scoreless tie.

"She has a nose for the goal," Mundelein coach Dave Ekstrom said. "We've been working on that because in close games you can win them on dead balls. We put that one away real nice."

Mundelein took control of the game after Carroll's goal, and senior keeper Nikki Allen did the rest, earning the shutout by making 3 saves.

"We haven't been on a lined field until tonight," Ekstrom said. "It took the girls a little while to get adjusted to a full field. I thought we played better as the game went on.

"We just tried to play the same way in practice -- just connecting passes and possessing the ball."

Grayslake Central dropped its first game after winning its opener against Lakes by a 2-1 final Tuesday.

"I'm not totally disappointed. Mundelein has a nice team," said Grayslake coach Mike McCaulou, who's a Mundelein graduate. "I'm a little disappointed that we struggled with our possession. We didn't create more opportunities up top."

Rams freshman Kathryn Dickson played her first game in goal and made 5 saves, including a couple of diving stops to help keep Grayslake Central in the game.

-- Rusty Silber

Carmel 5, Antioch 2: Maddie Ogrinc had 3 goals and an assist for the host Corsairs.

Sara Petermann added a goal and an assist, and Alex Hauser also scored for Carmel (2-0). Kassidy Brown contributed an assist.

Cary-Grove 7, Lakes 0: Cary-Grove was too much for Lakes.

The Trojans dominated in all facets of the game.

Scoring 5 goals during the first 16 minutes of the game, Cary-Grove opened the 2008 season with a 7-0 win over Lakes in a nonconference match Thursday

"We came out aggressive and with a lot of positive energy," Cary-Grove coach Ray Krystal said. "We were just excited to be outside and playing in a game. The results weren't that important. This is a very close group. They do everything together. I liked our effort for a first game. We did a lot of good things."

The Trojans didn't waste any time in getting on the scoreboard. Off a nice feed from four-year starter Kelsey Passaglia, junior Sally Tashjian scored with only a minute and 17 seconds elapsed to give the Trojans a 1-0 advantage.

Cary-Grove, which outshot Lakes 20-2, scored 5 more times in the first half.

Passaglia scored 3 goals, Kelli Anderson netted one, and Tashjian tallied her second of the afternoon to push the Trojans' lead to 6-0 after 40 minutes. Passaglia and Anderson added assists.

Anderson scored Cary-Grove's lone goal of the second half at the 19:04 mark.

"After not playing Tuesday, we were really pumped to play today," said Passaglia. "All the girls played with a lot of energy and we came out very strong. We are a very young team but this team has a great bond. We played with a lot of confidence and are looking forward to the season."

Lakes goalie Jessica Schroeder registered 8 saves for the Eagles (0-2).

"We were certainly at sleep at the wheel to start the game," Lakes coach Kevin Kullby said. "We have to start games better. Cary-Grove is a very good, speedy team. They have the whole package. We played a much better second half. We did a better job on defense. But we certainly have to shore up the defense."

Cary-Grove junior goalie Alex Holland needed to make only 1 save. Freshman Emily Mason had the lone shot on goal for the Eagles.

-- Dave Hess

Buffalo Grove 1, VH 0: The Cougars dropped their season opener.