Full speed ahead for Harper, Lake Zurich after Schaumburg win

Brett Harper can easily be overshadowed by the Division I soccer talent on Lake Zurich's team.

The Bears boast Nick Janus (Wisconsin), Tim Kreutz (Michigan State) and Eric Pothast (Marquette).

"I try to play with them," Harper said. "They're all great players to work with."

Harper isn't so shabby himself. He scored twice in the first half Tuesday night, carrying the Bears to a 6-1 victory over Schaumburg in the Class 3A Barrington supersectional.

Lake Zurich (20-4) will make its first trip back to state since 2001 and will play either Edwardsville or Eisenhower at 7 p.m. Friday in the state semifinals at North Central College in Naperville.

"This is big," Lake Zurich coach Mike Schmitz said. "It's nice to come out in a big game and do what we prepared to do. The guys came out fired up and played the game they wanted to play.

"We're happy getting to state. The guys earned it. It's a goal we've achieved and we've still got something left."

The Bears got the ball rolling quickly, as Harper finished off an outstanding pass from Kreutz off the end line just two minute into the match.

Brendan Seeger headed home Jack Rathe's well-placed cross in the 15th minute for a 2-0 advantage.

Harper struck again in the 28th minute. He buried his own rebound after Schaumburg keeper Jason Wojick (12 saves) made the initial save.

Up 3-0 at halftime, Lake Zurich added its fourth goal when Kreutz finished a Janus pass in the 44th minute. Jon Pothast and Janus completed the scoring with late goals.

Schaumburg (13-6-1) got its lone goal when Blake Nelson scored off a loose ball in the 64th minute.

"Lake Zurich is a state championship-caliber team," Schaumburg coach Hamid Mehreioskouei said. "Lake Zurich doesn't have a weak player. The speed they play at is extremely high for the high school level. It's very difficult for teams to overcome."