Lake Zurich clinches Lake title

Taking the direct approach helped Lake Zurich's girls soccer team to a North Suburban Lake Division title on Saturday.

The Bears completed an unbeaten run in divisional play and clinched a spot in Thursday's NSC championship game, either at Lakes or Vernon Hills. The Eagles and Cougars both still could win the Prairie Division.

Lake Zurich got past host Libertyville 1-0 and improved to 5-0 in the Lake and 10-6-1 overall.

“We knew it coming in that Libertyville was going to be a tough game,” Lake Zurich coach Michael Castronova said. “We just wanted to play the feet, and play simple with good defense. And finish. We got one (goal) in the first half, and our defense was strong. We just found a way to win.”

The Bears didn't seem like one of the league favorites early on in the season, but they managed to get past each team they played in the Lake Division.

“We have a young team and wanted to play good ball this season,” Castronova said. “It took us a while to jell from the beginning of the season, and our tough schedule prepared us for this to happen. It was one of our team goals to do well in tournaments and in conference. It's all the girls working hard in practice every day.”

Jordan Jackson scored the Bears' goal in the 25th minute off a touch pass from Meaghan Gelinas.

Bears keeper Eleanor Daleske made 7 stops for the shutout over Libertyville (7-7-1, 3-2). The key Lake Zurich defenders in front of her included Maisie Cox, Stacey Wilton, Katie McCullough, Katie Williams, Courtney Kehrmann and Catalina Abad.

“Once we started to play to the feet everything started to click together,” Catalina Abad said. “Lately we've been very intense in games and it's helped us a lot.

“It's really everyone working together and pressuring all the time the time. It's nonstop motion, and it requires the entire team to do it.”