Fitzpatrick passes field test as Lakes prevails

Two weeks was too long, as far as Lakes goalkeeper Sarah Fitzpatrick was concerned, to be dealing with the aftereffects of a concussion.

Fitzpatrick made her way back to the field on Wednesday for her first start since the injury and helped the Eagles break a 9-game losing streak on Thursday afternoon.

Lakes got past Grayslake North 3-1 in the second leg of the Lakes Tournament in Lake Villa.

“It was rough for the first game back,” said Fitzpatrick, who made her first start in Wednesday’s loss to Richmond-Burton since the injury two weeks ago against Joliet West. “It was scary, and it was like I’d never played soccer before. I was very nervous and didn’t have to practice (in goal) because we were inside the two previous days.”

Fitzpatrick’s injury occurred late in the first half in the Pepsi Showdown opener against Joliet West.

“I came out on a breakaway,” Fitzpatrick said. “I’m not sure if it was my team or the other team, but I got a knee in the head, an instant concussion. I sat out the rest of the game and the rest of the week.

“I vaguely remember the hit. I guess I got up, mouthed something to the referee. I was a little out of it. On the bench, I was not making sense and babbling a little bit. I was freaking out and I was saying ‘Guys, did I grab my gloves?’ They were still in the goal.”

Fitzpatrick dealt with the recovery on a day-to-day basis and finally was cleared to return to the team and game action this week.

“It was one of the scariest things in my life,” Fitzpatrick said. “It was the first head injury I’ve ever had. I kept getting dizzy in school, and I couldn’t focus. I actually got a chance to miss a couple of tests. Also, I had headaches and backaches, It was a slow process and frustrating.”

On Thursday afternoon, Fitzpatrick frustrated Grayslake North, making 11 saves and allowing 1 goal.

“Fitzpatrick gave a boost to the team’s confidence,” Lakes coach Kevin Kullby said. “She still needs games under her belt to feel comfortable. But we had great game as a team.”

The Eagles (2-9, 1-1 in the tournament) got a pair of goals from Ashley Neubeck (6 goals) and one from Jenna Baker. Sarina Umlauf and Leah Bakers provided assists.

“We got some very nice goals and worked the ball,” Kullby said. “I’m glad to break the losing streak. Grayslake North was a tough team and finally things went our way, and not against us.”

Graylake North (3-5, 1-1) got its goal from Hannah Mitchem with an assist from Chloe Basa.

“On the bus we were asleep, warm-ups we were asleep and we slept through the game,” Grayslake North coach Adam DeCaluwe said. “There’s no real reason for it. We just got outworked and Lakes beat us. Give credit to Lakes for finishing the shots.”