Lakes breaks new ground

Getting hot at the right time has sent Lakes' girls soccer program to a new level.

The Eagles won their first-ever sectional championship on Friday, knocking off Ridgewood 5-0 in the Class 2A Grayslake Central sectional final.

Now there's some more hardware going into the school's trophy case with regional and sectional plaques. Lakes would like to add another trophy with a few more victories.

"I coached at New Trier and Lake Forest and this is very gratifying coaching here and bringing something to this school for the first time," Lakes coach Kevin Kullby said. "But it's a testament to the players. I'm along for the ride just like they are and glad to be apart of it."

Lakes (16-7-1) has advanced to the Elite Eight with, an upcoming match up against Wheaton Academy (19-3-2) at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the Barrington supersectional.

Wheaton Academy won its own sectional over St. Francis 4-1.

"We going to bring this as far as we can," said Sarah Bartlett, one of the three captains with Alyssa Baker and Brittany Mooney. "We just want to take things one game at a time.

"We've all never experienced something like this, but the best thing to do is keep our heads high and come in with positive play."

The Eagles came out strong on Friday, scoring 5 times in the first half against Ridgewood (10-9-4). It was similar to the team's regional final victory over Grayslake Central a week ago.

"It's a process over the years, and this is a resilient group," Kullby said. "They've played a lot of soccer. I believe it's the day-in and day-out of practicing. Just bringing it out to the game."

Lakes got on the board in the 14th minute when Ashley Chernich took a pass from Michelle Kosmen and one-timed it for a goal.

"It was a good cross coming in," said Chernich, who leads the team with 16 goals. "I was able to meet it and kick it."

The Eagles' Koseman poked away the ball from a Ridgewood defender and the keeper making the score 2-0 in the 20th minute.

Alyssa Baker scored an unassisted goal 2 minutes later, followed by goals from her sister Leah Baker and Mooney before the end of the half. Alyssa Baker and Ann-Marie Brugioni picked up assists on the other goals.

Eagles keeper Ashley Downing earned her fifth shutout in relief of Sara Fitzpatrick, whose out with a hand injury.