Neal's hat trick helps Lakes clinch Prairie crown
Lakes' Eagles continue to soar.
The Eagles clinched the North Suburban Prairie Division title for the second time in school history with a 6-0 shutout of host Grant in Fox Lake on Wednesday night.
Alex Neal notched a hat trick for the second time this season, giving her 25 goals on the season, and added an assist.
Michelle Kosmen, Jenna Baker and Alyssa Baker also scored, while Rebecca Hill, Jessica David, Brittany Mooney, Alyssa Baker and Kristina Umlauf all had assists.
Lakes (15-5) extended its winning streak to nine games, while improving to 5-0 in the NSC Prairie.
The Eagles will make their second appearance in the NSC championship game when they host the Lake division champion next Thursday.
"I like what we're doing and how we're playing," Lakes coach Kevin Kullby said. "The girls are playing better soccer with each other. They're doing things more automatically.
"It all comes down to finishing. Even in the games we've lost, this team has held themselves together very well."
Lakes had difficulty scoring early in the season, but the Eagles have discovered their scoring touch the last couple of weeks.
Neal, a George Washington recruit, has led the way.
"The team does a great job getting me the ball when I'm open," Neal said. "I just place the ball where the goalie is not."
Lakes advanced to the Class 2A supersectional last year before losing to state champion Wheaton Academy, and the Eagles' postseason expectations are high again this season.
"A number of us have played together since fifth grade," Kosmen said. "We're all really close and are all good friends. We feel this is our year because we have a good core of seniors. We're hoping to reach state."
Lakes scored in the opening minute against Grant (5-8-4, 2-1-2). Neal finished a loose ball after an initial shot from Kosmen.
Neal added her second goal in the 28th minute from a Hill pass, and Jenna Baker scored off a David assist.
"We played well on the turf and scored some nice goals," Kullby said. "We got one early, but it took us a while to get a few more."
Neal scored two more goals in the second half, and Alyssa Baker had the other.
Sara Fitzpatrick made 1 save and earned her ninth shutout.
Grant had a great effort in goal from Roberta Avilez, who made 14 of her 21 saves in the first half.
"Unfortunately, our defense didn't step up liked I wish they would," Grant coach Michael Kennedy said. "For the most part, (Avilez) came up big in the nets for us. She's kept us in a lot of games."