Carmel clinches share of title
High fives for Carmel Catholic's boys soccer team.
The Corsairs captured their first East Suburban Catholic Conference championship in five years Wednesday.
Carmel clinched at least a share of the title thanks to a 2-0 shutout of rival St. Viator in Mundelein.
Carmel improved to 13-5-2 and finished 8-1 in the ESCC.
"It was special to win it," Carmel coach John Halloran, said. "It was a goal for us and something that has slipped through our fingers a couple of times in a five-year period."
St. Viator (16-4-1, 6-1-1) has one conference game remaining, as the Lions will host Benet (7-1) at 4 p.m. Friday.
Carmel's Donald Kolb scored in the fifth minute off a Jimmy Ryan assist and Jake Changelon knocked in the other goal in the 34th minute.
Carmel keeper Matt McHugh notched his ninth clean sheet by making 8 saves.
"Our effort level was huge out there," Halloran said. "We conceded the middle and knew we would have to get our goals off counter attacks."
McHugh got help from defenders Nick Sturm, Jack Stefanski, Shane Einloth and Joe Monroe.
"Everyone on our defensive line did a great job," Halloran said. "Our work rate was so high and made things difficult for (St. Viator)."
- Rusty Silber