Rams shoot, score a win

Scoring goals hasn't come easily for Grayslake Central's boys soccer team.

It's been a rough ride all season - but it got a little smoother Tuesday night.

For the first time this season, the Rams scored 2 goals in a game and picked up a victory over visiting Crystal Lake Central 2-1 in a Fox Valley Fox Division game.

Grayslake Central (3-15, 2-4) had scored only 4 goals coming into the match with the Tigers (3-13-1, 1-5).

"Any win is a good win for us," Grayslake Central coach Mike McCaulou said. " The goals were excellent. It set up good opportunities for us.

"It was the best soccer we've played for 40 minutes. The second half was a disappointment; we were non-existent. We passed the ball, possessed the ball (in the first half), we were moving the ball in the back and passing the ball up top with our forwards."

Jeremy Bethke put the Rams up 1-0 in the 25th minute when he scored his first goal of the year.

"I've had multiple opportunities to score this year, Bethke said. But I haven't found the back of the net."

The offense has been there, and Grayslake Central has been putting forth a good effort. But for whatever reason, the Rams simply haven't put goals on the board.

"We're trying to work as a unit," Bethke said. "A lot of people say it's a rebuilding year, but I don't believe it. I think we've got a real good team, but we seem to be struggling with finishing. This time we connected up top and got the goals we needed.

"We need to relax as a team and connect on the ball."

Grayslake Central added another goal in the 35th-minute for a 2-0 advantage. Albert Acosta scored on a penalty kick after Andrew Bryan was knocked down from behind while entering the penalty area.

Crystal Lake Central got its goal in the 51st-minute. Tyler Blevins scored by lofting a ball past Rams keeper Nick Sloan (9 saves).

The Tigers had to play the last 45 minutes a man down after receiving a red card, but they still hung close the rest of the way.

"Our guys didn't let down," Crystal Lake Central coach Jay Schwarzrock said. "We were down a guy, but we put on a lot of pressure in the second half. My guys had a lot of heart and showed a lot of guts. They didn't quit and played the last 40 minutes hard."