Boys soccer: Nawracaj’s two goals push Crystal Lake South past Vernon Hills, into state tourney

Ethan Nawracaj scored early, then added the eventual game-winner in the second half to help Crystal Lake South’s boys soccer team beat Vernon Hills 2-1 on Monday to advance into the Class 2A state tournament on Friday.

The Gators’ victory in the Grayslake Central supersectional sends them to a fourth state appearance, and first since 2023 when they captured the second state title in program history.

The Gators (17-5-2) face Washington (22-1-2) at 2:30 p.m. Friday at Rockford Guilford.

“This is just an amazing feeling right now, and easily one of the best I've experienced playing for Crystal Lake South,” said Gators all-state keeper Noah Dunteman. “Ethan's great early goal really helped get us going (then) we had to fight hard in the second half when Vernon Hills really came after us.”

Nawracaj unloaded a looping shot that sailed over Cougars all-state keeper Maximilian Gral, who was unable to retreat quick enough to stop the ball from settling in the back of his net.

The Cougars came alive after the intermission and forced the Gators to defend far more than they would have liked. Isaac Simpson roared up the left side, beating a pair of defenders to the end line. He passed to Michael Lyubkin, who easily scored the equalizer in at the 55th minute.

Some confusion along the back between Gral and one of his defenders saw the ball spill free just outside the box, allowing Nawracaj to finish into an empty net in the 55th minute.

“We fell way short a year ago with a loss in our regional final, so it feels great to be a part of a team that has now advanced into the state tournament,” Nawracaj said.

“We were a little unlucky on both of their goals, but we came back strong in the second half and played the type of attractive style of soccer we've been playing the last couple of weeks to get this far,” said Cougars coach Mike McCaulou.