Zion-Benton spoils Vernon Hills' planning

Vernon Hills' boys soccer team had its sights set on capturing its own Cougar Classic even before the season started.

The Cougars were on a roll this week with a pair of tournament victories over Grayslake Central and Northridge Prep - their first wins of the season - but they couldn't figure out a way to stop Zion-Benton in a 3-0 loss on Friday.

"You always want to win your own tournament," Vernon Hills coach Shannon Etnyre said. "It was nice to be in the championship game this year. It was something the boys wanted to do. We set some team goals at the start of the season. We got here, but we (didn't) take care of business."

Zion-Benton (7-4) won the tournament for the third straight year, going 3-0.

"We've been able to come here and play well," Zion-Benton coach Cliff Pontillo said. "We told the kids it doesn't matter what the records are. Vernon Hills was fired up and they wanted to win their tournament. If we didn't come in with our best effort, it was going to be a long game for us. We were focused when we started out."

The Zee-Bees scored all three goals in the first half. Jack Waldon and Tito Mandujano knocked in the first two goals early in the match, and Juan Bermudez's strike made it 3-0 midway through the first half.

"The first 10 minutes really hurt us," Etnyre said. "We were flat and on our heels. Zion-Benton was bigger than us. Making the adjustments was the big thing we needed to do. Once we did that, we battled the rest of the way. But going down three goals, you're battling for the rest of the game."

Vernon Hills (2-8-1) was active getting shots on goal in the second half, but Zee-Bees keeper Brett Johnson was up to the task. He made 11 saves and earned the shutout.

"It seems like we're connecting more as a team," Vernon Hills sophomore midfielder Evan Borden said. "We're connecting passes and connecting as teammates. We know we can play with these teams. That's what we want to keep on doing."

Vernon Hills started the season with seven straight losses, but a 1-1 tie with Antioch helped get the Cougars going in the right direction.

"The tie gave the boys the confidence needed in themselves," Etnyre said. "Up until that point, they were upset with their play and frustrated by not getting any positive results. We were able to realize that we can play with these teams."