Grayslake North gets a leg up

A District-127 boys soccer rivalry kicked it up a notch Saturday.

And Grayslake North now has a leg up on Grayslake Central after prevailing 3-2 in shootout kicks.

A leg save by Grayslake North keeper Richard Klarck (7 saves) on the fourth penalty kick proved the difference, spoiling the Rams' homecoming match. It was his first participating in shootout kicks at the varsity level.

"I was lucky enough to get my legs in there when I did," Klarck said. "Especially doing it against our rival, it's a blast. And winning makes it better."

The Knights' Brian Stout scored on the fifth kick to secure the victory.

"It was fun finishing it and putting the game away," said Stout, who kicked a penalty kick over the bar against Crystal Lake Central earlier this season. "Anytime someone goes up to the line, there's always going to be nerves. I did have nerves, but this time I was able to control myself. I've taken many PKs and thought it was just like practice."

It was the first time the Rams and Knights reached the penalty-kicks stage against each other. The intensity level lasted the entire 80 minutes of regulation and 20 minutes of overtime into the kicks.

"It's how our season has gone," Grayslake North coach Adam DeCaluwe said. "No matter how the season is going for both schools, it's always a battle. The team that wins, more times than not, is the one that doesn't let up."

Grayslake North (4-10, 3-5 Fox Valley Fox) opened the scoring in the seventh minute, when Freddy Rosas caromed a shot off the post and into the net from a Hans Germain assist.

The Rams tied the score in the 28th minute, as Asa Goldsmith scored with Bryant Olmos earning the assist.

Albert Acosta scored his eighth goal of the season on a penalty kick to put Grayslake Central ahead 2-1 in the 65th-minute.

The Knights' Julio Zamora, in his second game back after returning from reconstructive knee surgery, tied the game seven minutes later on a header off a Stout cross.

Grayslake Central has just one win this season, but the Rams' intensity level was considerably higher against the Knights.

"Our kids played their hearts out," Grayslake Central coach Mike McCaulou said. "We had 10 minutes to defend (in the second half) and we lost a mark on a free kick. You just have to play simple and smart.

"We played a great game with courage and heart coming back. In terms of our experience and skill, it says a lot about us. It was one of our best efforts all year."