NSC Lake race tightens up after Lake Zurich win

Getting to the North Suburban Conference championship game has turned into a three-team derby, with only one game remaining.

That's because Lake Zurich upended host Stevenson 4-1 Tuesday afternoon at the Vernon Hills Athletic Center in a key Lake Division match.

The Bears' Tim Kreutz (Michigan State) and Nick Janus (Wisconsin) both scored 2 goals, and the Patriots got a goal from Gordy Gurson (Memphis).

Lake Zurich (13-4) sits in a divisional tie at 4-1 with Stevenson (12-3) and Lake Forest (12-3), which beat Warren 6-0 Tuesday.

All three teams play their remaining divisional game on the road Thursday - Lake Zurich is at Zion-Benton, Stevenson's at Warren and Lake Forest plays at Libertyville.

For now, the Bears are pleased with what their big what over the Patriots accomplished.

"We did what we wanted to do and came out with a strong effort," Lake Zurich coach Mike Schmitz said. "We're looking at grass fields and not letting it affect us and making adjustments.

"At the beginning of the season, (scoring) affected us. We're just getting better and better as the season goes on."

Kreutz scored the opening Lake Zurich goal nine minutes in, taking a pass from Nate Holicky.

Kreutz added another in the 34th minute, blasting a long-range shot under the crossbar off a Brett Harper assist.

"Second one, I put it in the top shelf," Kreutz said. "I just put it over the keeper into the side-netting. It was one of the prettier goals I've had this year."

Janus scored the other two tallies, the first on a loose ball in the 48th minute, and 14 minutes later off an Eric Pothast assist.

Stevenson managed to get a goal back in the final three minutes. Gurson scored on a header from an Arturo Hernandez cross.

"I thought we had four or five good scoring opportunities," Stevenson coach Mark Schartner said. "We usually finish those chances. We just got too far behind.

"Lake Zurich was quick and fast. They're a nice team. It's not a bad loss at all. Lake Zurich deserved to win. All we can do at this point is look to our next game."