Calistri, Deerfield too much for Grayslake Central

Grayslake Central’s boys soccer team made a good run in the postseason, winning a regional championship last weekend to earn a spot opposite Deerfield in the sectional semifinal.

The Warriors made sure the Rams’ run wouldn’t go on longer with a 4-0 victory Tuesday night at Lakes in Class 2A action.

“Our kids have worked hard and progressed,” said Grayslake Central coach Mike McCaulou, whose team finished 9-12-1. “Our strength of schedule was really tough and helped us out for the regionals. Some people were shocked, like, ‘How did we come out with a regional championship?’

“We’re not shocked — going against Round Lake, Zion-Benton , Libertyville, Crystal Lake South and Cary-Grove ... ”

Grayslake Central had a tough time dealing with Northwestern-bound Joey Calistri (37 goals), who scored 3 goals for Deerfield. Jayson Kane had the other tally.

The Warriors scored 3 times in the first half in a six-minute span.

Kane knocked in the first goal in the 25th minute with an assist from Adam Rabushka.

Then Calistri made a move from the end line, beat a Rams defender and slotted a ball inside the near post for a 2-0 advantage in the 30th minute.

Calistri struck again 35 seconds later on a free kick to put the Warriors up 3-0.

Calistri added his third goal in the 66th minute of play.

“We were just flat for six minutes — other than that we did pretty well,” McCaulou said. “(Calistri) had some speed, and against a team like (Deerfield), you need to have a lot of discipline defensively.

“We did have about 5 good chances on goal, but their goalie (Josh Norris, 11 shutouts) came up with the saves.”

Rams midfielder Phillip Longenecker was tasked with trying to keep Calistri quiet. And it worked — but for only part of the game.

“(Calistri) was a great player and tore us up,” Longenecker said. “He moved off the ball and got into wide spaces. Second half, we did a better job of staying tight because (Deerfield is) a fast team.”

Deerfield entered the game aware that Grayslake Central had a talent level that required full effort.

“We knew that they had a couple of strong players,” Deerfield coach Elliot Hurtig said. “But we had a couple of strong midfielders that did a good job shutting things down.

‘I think once we got the second goal it took the wind out of their sails a bit.”