Girls soccer roundup: Lake Zurich wins twice to claim own tourney title
Lake Zurich won its own invite on Saturday, but it would take a dramatic ending to its first game of the day to all but secure the big trophy.
The Bears (6-0-2) would defeat Glenbrook North in penalty kicks (4-2) in its early morning contest before closing out its opponents for good with a 2-0 victory over Lakes Community to go 3-0 overall over the two days of play.
Reilly Novak and Emily Bowen scored in the Lakes contest.
"We played really well on both sides of the ball in the first half, but Glenbrook North had most of the play in the second half (which) forced us to defend way more than we wanted to," said Bears keeper Erin Bohn, whose shootout heroics was the difference in a 1-0 triumph.
"I can always count on my backline to be there for me, and in the second half they really came through with some great defending," continued Bohn, who will play in the fall at Northeastern University in Massachusetts where she will pursue a degree in civil engineering.
The Bears’ backline of Sawyer Klein, Lizzie Quesinberry, Sam Tritsch and Izzy Wright were airtight when called upon as the Spartans (4-1-2) would enjoy most of the play and possession after a 0-0 score at the break.
The attack from the homeside in the first half was led by Zoey Change, Sophia Korovilas, Cammy Niepomnik and Ellie Wise — who put plenty of pressure on the Spartans — but was unable to find the back of the net.
Once in shootout, Reilly Novak, Delilah Swartwood, and Chang were perfect from the spot . It was a brave save from Bohn in round four that allowed Korovilas to finish off the victory.
Chang would hit the game-winner on Friday in the Bears’ 1-0 win over Hersey.
"We lost a lot of very good players from last year’s team, but we have a great group of seniors, who bring a lot of experience who have helped our younger players early on," said Bohn.
By virtue of its 1-0 win today over Hersey, Lakes Community would finish third overall, while the Huskies, 0-3 over the two days, were fourth.
The Huskies (3-5-1) would end a grueling six games in five days at 2-4-0 with its two victories coming over Palatine in league play and a 6-0 victory against Sandburg in its Plainfield Classic tournament opener on Friday.
Junior Gracie Lisota scored three in that win, while Ellie Molster claimed her first varsity goal of her career also.
Malnati's Deep Dish Classic:
Stevenson would turn in a valiant 80-minute effort in its tournament opener Saturday in Northfield against reigning 3A state champion, and the current No. 1 team in the state, but the Patriots suffered their first loss of the season to New Trier.
The Trevians (10-0-1) remain undefeated and unscored upon after its 1-0 win at Robert Naughton Field in the opener of the seventh annual Malnati's Deep Dish Classic.
Senior Honor Dold gave the Trevians the lead for good in the 44th minute when she finished near the spot after Patriots keeper Reese Yoo made a magnificent save on a blistering free kick from the all-state sophomore Addy Randall.
"(It) was a game that we expected," said junior Grace Harper, who along with her backline teammates Anabelle Egeland, and Kelsey Krull kept a rampant Trevians attack from finding their way through and into the back of their net.
"(New Trier) is always going to play physical soccer, constantly challenging every 50-50 and second ball, but I feel like we matched their intensity all day long," added Harper.
"I was real proud of the way we handled their pressure. There was a lot of fight in the way we played today, and a game like this will prepare us for the rest of the season as well," said Krull.
The Patriots (4-1-1) will continue group play on Monday in Wilmette against Loyola Academy (4-2-2) at 5 p.m. while the Trevians host Libertyville (5-0-1) who drew 0-0 with Lane Tech in its tournament opener.
Naperville North (4-1-2) began play in the Malnati's in style with a 2-0 win over host Evanston (4-1-2) on Saturday.
Emily Buescher and Lily Radek led the way in the attack. Another defensive gem in front of keeper Olivia Ochsner led to her claiming her fifth shutout of the season.
The Huskies lost to Evanston a year ago in the final here. Next up is Lake Forest (2-2-0) who lost 2-0 to Lyons Township.
BODYARMOR SOCCER INVITE:
Warren (4-1-1) stunned 2A state power Boylan with four second half goals to erase a 2-1 deficit at the break en route to a 5-3 victory in its opening contest of the BodyArmor Soccer Invite at the Waukegan Sports Park.
Senior Addison Stanciak continues her climb to the top of the Blue Devils’ all-time scoring records with two goals to give her nine on the season, as well as an assist.
Teammates Sophie Dolinar, Kate Mondejar and Gwen Zajac would all find the back of the net in the second half.
On Friday night, the Blue Devils defeated Grayslake Central 8-1.
Next up for Ryan McCabe's club, as tournament play continues, is Wheaton Warrenville South (5-0-1) on Monday, which defeated Maine South, 2-1. on an Eleanor Whaley double.