Grayslake Central turns it around

Grayslake Central's girls soccer team started its season with four straight losses.

How quickly streaks can change.

Now the Rams have strung together three victories in a row after winning their own tournament for the second straight year.

Grayslake Central shut out visiting Grant 2-0 on Thursday in Grayslake.

"This came at the right time, because we needed to get some wins," Grayslake coach Mike McCaulou said. "We had some tough losses before this tournament. Hopefully these games gained some confidence in these girls. I'd say if we score 2 goals a game, we can be tough to beat."

Toughness and creating better scoring chances are two things the Rams are working on each time out.

"We created a ton of opportunities (against Grant) in the final third trying to get the ball into the back of the net," McCaulou said. "I think these girls are learning to play and we still have a number of them that are pretty young. I think a number of them getting games under their belt are getting a better understanding of the game and gaining confidence."

The Rams' Maggie Klees scored the opening goal from a Skyler Jessop touch pass in the 18th minute.

Jessop assisted on the other goal in the 59th minute when Kelly Jay made it 2-0.

Kat Dickson and Klees combined for the shutout in goal as the Rams didn't allow a goal over the three-game win streak.

"I think it was real good for gaining our confidence defensively," Dickson said. "Our group knows how to work together and knows what to do back there. We have a way of helping each other out. If someone gets beat there's someone else there helping out. It's just very good to see us work as a single unit."

Grant tried to stay with the Rams, but appeared to not have the same work ethic as they had earlier in the tournament.

"The effort wasn't there today," said Grant coach Michael Kennedy, whose team fell to 1-4-1 and 1-2. "I think we're still sleeping and on spring break. The girls didn't come out with any intensity, and it was disappointing after our performance (in a 2-0 win over Round Lake on Wednesday), when we were doing the little things. Today, we were exposed by a good team."

Round Lake was shut out by Waukegan 1-0 in the other tournament game. The Panthers (0-4-1) lost all three of their tourney games.