Kosmen, Lakes engineer comeback to edge VH in OT
Lakes is no stranger to postseason rallies.
For the second time in the playoffs, the Eagles came from behind, earning a 2-1 overtime triumph over Vernon Hills 2-1 in the Class 2A Grayslake Central sectional semifinal Wednesday.
The Eagles (15-7-1) advanced to play Ridgewood (10-8-4) for the sectional crown Friday at 4 p.m. at Grayslake Central. Ridgewood downed Amundsen 3-1 in the other semifinal.
"It was a barnburner," said Lakes coach Kevin Kullby, whose team had lost a regular-season match 4-0 to Vernon Hills. "Our defense was stellar. Vernon Hills had chances on restarts and they won everything in the air."
Michelle Kosmen scored the game-winning goal in the 89th minute after setting up Lakes' first goal.
The Cougars (12-7-2) dominated much of the second half and the overtime, but they couldn't finish any shots, including a couple that found a crossbar and a post.
"In a sense we struggled all game and played into their hands," Kullby said. "We just kicked the ball up the field and hoped for a bad touch (overtime). Just like on the goal, you put pressure up there and hopefully make something out of it. Maybe it's something of fate or fortune of getting the ball first."
The Eagles' Ashley Chernich sent a kick behind the defense to set up the winning goal. Kosmen ran to the ball, beat a defender and oncoming keeper Iris Ostrovsky. Kosmen got the touch on the ball first, and it slowly rolled into the goal.
"I hustled my butt to get it," Kosmen said. "I just wanted to kick it as hard as could. It was going a little slow, I just wanted it to go in."
Kosmen assisted on the tying goal in the 59th minute, when Emily Mason took a pass and slotted a shot inside the post.
The Cougars jumped out to a 1-0 advantage when Julie Pecht scored in the ninth minute off a pass from Carly Manso.
Lakes keeper Ashley Downing made 7 of her 9 saves in the second half and the overtime.
"Too bad that one of us had to lose," said Cougars coach Vince Deluca. "Lakes was a good team, and hats off to them. We just didn't finish and kept Lakes in the game."