Boys soccer: Sachuk scores twice, leads Grayslake Central to sectional title over Grayslake North

Grayslake Central secured its spot in next week’s supersectional following its dramatic 2-1 victory over rival Grayslake North Friday night before a raucous Halloween home crowd.

Senior Daniel Sachuk was the star of the match with his second double of the postseason — both goals coming via superb helpers by teammate Ivan Sereno — who together have formed a lethal combination to help send the Rams (15-5-0) to their third supersectional in program history.

"(This) is what we're all working for, making it to the state tournament (and) now we're one victory away from doing so," said Sachuk, who a year ago was on Central's JV team.

"Daniel and Ivan have become quite a dynamic duo up top for us this season," said Rams coach Keith Andersson.

"Obviously Ivan is so dangerous each time he has the ball on his foot, while Daniel brings such a strong work rate, one in which he goes box-to-box for us, plus he's just a terrific young man."

Grayslake North (15-6-1) likely had a slight edge in advance of this crosstown contest. The Knights entered on a 12-game unbeaten streak, with their most recent win coming Wednesday over No. 2 seed Carmel Catholic.

"We were confident coming into this game, and we had a great start with Javi (Villegas) giving us an early goal, but we got away from what we've been doing well, and we lost the energy we had (and then) we struggled to find our game," said Knights coach Adam DeCaluwe.

"(We) didn't agree with that early yellow card that our best player (Danny Fabela) received. It forced us to keep him out for a long while to protect him from getting another yellow, but it just wasn't enough tonight."

The Knights had never reached a sectional final in program history while claiming four regional titles along the way.

The aforementioned Villegas' left-footed curling effort that landed into the far upper 90 of the left-hand corner of the net gave the Knights a one-goal advantage in the 11th minute.

Villegas' 23rd goal of the season nearly took the visitors into the intermission with the lead until Sachuk ran onto a Sereno ball into the box where he redirected past keeper Rory Braden.

The Knights came out with plenty of life and purpose at the start of the second half, and it would be Brady Ronin who provided some excitement for the Knights faithful.

The junior put two on frame, and added another half chance, but this sectional final began to slowly turn in favor the home side leading up to the eventual game-winner.

That's when an unmarked Sachuk at the back post elevated high above a crowd to thump his 15th goal of the season in the 65th minute.

"Ivan has just been amazing all year either scoring goals, or giving great balls like he did on both of my goals," said Sachuk.

Sereno leads his club with 33 goals.

"It was a chippy affair to say the least, but this has been a memorable season, and one that the boys will look back and be proud of," said DeCaluwe.

The Rams now await their Monday supersectional opponent at Streamwood where they will face either the host Sabres or Wheaton Academy at 4:30 p.m.