Wrap: Another step forward for Lisle
When Lisle's girls soccer program was born roughly a half-dozen years ago, it predictably spent a few seasons taking baby steps in the direction of improvement.
This season, the Lions broke into a trot.
"Most shutouts (11), most goals scored (82), most wins (16), least amount of goals allowed (24) -- we had so many firsts this year," said Lisle coach Paul Kohorn.
"We're basically a team of sophomores and juniors," said sophomore Emily DeLong. "Hopefully that means that next year and the year after that, we can be dominant."
With its 5-0 win over Driscoll on Monday, Lisle improved to 16-6-3 this year in advancing as the top seed of the Hinckley-Big Rock Class A sectional.
Sara Urban, Nicole Urban, and Jen Potter scored goals, and DeLong had 2 goals and 2 assists for Lisle, which led 2-0 at halftime before breaking the game open in the second half.
"I'm happy. I worked hard, and we were working with back-passes at the 18, and that's how I got the first goal," DeLong said. "And I was just looking for Nicole (Urban) and Jen (Potter) and all the forwards that are up there."
"(DeLong) is the engine that makes us go, as far as setting the pace and controlling things," Kohorn said of his sophomore midfielder.
Lisle struck first in the game's ninth minute on a DeLong feed to Nicole Urban, who netted her 35th goal of the year from 12 yards out. DeLong hammered a shot to the back netting from 18 yards out to give Lisle a 2-0 halftime lead.
Kohorn wanted better attacking play from his squad in the second half, so he shuffled his lineup.
"The big switch was bringing (defender) Sarah (Urban) up to the front," Kohorn said. "She's such a good player, and she can play anywhere on the field."
The senior Urban scored her second goal of the year by running onto a through-ball from DeLong and breaking in alone on net in the 52nd minute. Potter scored from 14 yards out three minutes later to make it 4-0, and DeLong finished the day's scoring from long range two minutes thereafter.
Arianna Bonomi made 14 saves on the day for Driscoll. Kohorn was happier with his squad's willingness to make runs off the ball in the second half, and Lisle hopes to carry the momentum of that second half into a sectional quarterfinal game on Thursday.
"Especially because it's sectionals, we need to play as well as we can," DeLong said. "Today we did OK, but the next game we have to step it up."
Baseball
Immaculate Conception 8, North Shore Country Day 1:ŒThe fifth-seeded Knights advanced to Wednesday's Class 1A Somonauk regional semifinals, where they'll face the second-seeded host school. Matt Purdom went 2-for-3 with a double and 2 RBI. Danny Muisenga (2-4) earned the win, scattering 5 hits over 6 innings.
Montini 7, St. Edward 6:ŒChris Matson went 3-for-3 with 4 RBI for the Broncos (15-6, 9-4) in their Suburban Catholic Conference win. Matt Beuke (2-1) was the winning pitcher.
Benet 7, Marian Catholic 4:ŒAlex Staehely's second-inning grand slam led the Redwings (19-10, 13-4) to the East Suburban Catholic Conference win. Complete-game winning pitcher John Boyle improved to 6-0.
Glenbard East 4, Plainfield North 3:ŒBrandon Spinner's third-inning RBI double proved to be the game-winning hit for the Rams (9-19) in their nonconference victory. Mike Trimarco (1-0) picked up the win and Kevin Kohn earned the save with 2 scoreless innings of relief.