Round Lake's big win is well worth the wait

Round Lake boy's soccer team braved both the elements and the loss of its home field.

And the Panthers still captured the North Suburban Prairie Division title for the second straight year, defeating Lakes 2-1 Friday afternoon in Lake Villa.

The match was moved from Round Lake to Lakes after Thursday night's game was postponed due to unplayable conditions.

Round Lake clinched a berth in the NSC Championship game and will host Lake Division champion Lake Zurich on Wednesday night.

"We knew it would be a hard game - Lakes is always tough," said Round Lake coach Mike Hruska, whose team is now 10-3-3 and went 6-0 in the Prairie for the second straight year. "We should've had more goals but we didn't capitalize on them."

Mauricio Salgado and Gilberto Alfaro both scored for the Panthers in the first half. Jordi Rubio and Jose Garcia picked up assists.

"I had an open shot and had a great leg to get it there," said Alfaro, who has 18 goals and 14 assists. "It was slippery, and you've got to keep your feet on the ground."

Lakes (7-6-6, 5-1) got a goal back in the final 10 minutes as Steve Korosis scored off an assist from Ben Pierce. But the Eagles couldn't find the tying goal.

"Second half, we had the chances," Lakes coach Kevin Kullby said. "Round Lake had the better of the play and has a good soccer team. It's a shame we don't capitalize. It been the same thing all year for us."