Lakes likes the feeling as victories start to add up

Lakes' boys soccer team is getting its kicks by getting some wins.

The Eagles raised their game to another level by posting their third win in a row and fourth of its last five Tuesday afternoon. Lakes notched a 2-0 shutout of Mundelein in a North Suburban Conference crossover in Lake Villa.

Tom O'Brien and Matt Beadle scored for Lakes and Steven Korosis had an assist to thwart Mundelein and keeper Javier Ramirez, who had a stellar effort with 12 saves.

"We're just playing outstanding soccer," said Lakes coach Kevin Kullby, whose squad is now 5-3. "We're moving the ball quickly and changing the point of attack, and we were able to create great chances at the goal.

"We're just playing more as a team. We're scoring more goals and attacking a lot more than we did last year."

Lakes not only has beaten Mundelein (4-5), they also got past Lake Forest recently 3-2 and won two of three games in a competitive Mukwonago (Wis.) tournament.

Lakes was on the attack against the Mustangs all game long on Tuesday.

"(Lakes) just took it to us and they were quicker to the ball and more skilled," Mundelein coach Dave Ekstrom said. "They had more passion and wanted it more.

"First half, we didn't have much of an attack. Second half, we had more urgency. They just outplayed us and beat us today."

The Eagles got on the board in the 38th minute, when O'Brien scored off a pass from Korosis.

"Steven got to the line and made a good cross on the ground - I followed it up," said O'Brien, who got his fourth goal of the season. "It wasn't really a good shot, but I don't think the keeper (Javier Ramirez) expected a light shot and it snuck past him."

Lakes added its other goal in the 45th minute. Beadle converted a penalty kick after a hand ball was called on a Mustangs defender.

The Eagles had to deal with a hot keeper in Ramirez, who stopped shot after shot throughout the game.

"We were able to get a goal that caught the keeper off guard," Kullby said. "He made some world class saves out there."

Ramirez, a sophomore, is filling in some big shoes. Three-year starter and all-state goalkeeper Eric Sorby didn't return to play in goal this fall.

"I just try to get to the ball any way I can get to it as long as I can catch it," Ramirez said. "I try as hard as I can no matter how the team is doing."