Lake Zurich gets creative, sinks Warren

Thinking outside the box continues to pay dividends inside the box for Lake Zurich's boys soccer team.

The Bears scored three times in the first 17 minutes against visiting Warren and cruised to a 4-0 victory on a rainy Thursday night.

Brett Harper scored a pair of goals, and Wisconsin-bound Nick Janus and Brendan Seeger also had goals in the North Suburban Lake Division contest.

"Everything comes from our creativity off the ball," said Harper, who has 6 goals. "We're looking to play to feet and then (deliver) through balls.

"We have a lot of skillful players on this team. Everyone wants to get a touch on the ball. Whether or not you get a touch, you still make the run."

Harper got Lake Zurich (12-4, 3-1) on the board 10 minutes in, scoring off a rebound after Blue Devils keeper Brady Walsh deflected a Tim Kreutz cross.

Harper collected his second goal two minutes later, chipping a shot over Walsh after Janus slipped a through ball to him.

"I actually saw Brett make a little movement," Janus said. "I just went to him and split a defender. He made a great finish beating the goalie."

Janus made it 3-0 with his 11th goal of the season in the 17th minute. He beat a defender before firing a shot past Walsh.

Seeger scored in the second half of a Colin Rathe assist. Kreutz's free kick started the play.

"We just have a ton of skilled players," Janus said. "It's fun to watch and be a part of it."

Lake Zurich keeper Tyler Raineri earned his seventh shutout, making 4 saves.

"It was a pretty good game," Lake Zurich coach Mike Schmitz said. "The kids are starting to understand each other and working the ball up and down the field. They're starting to come into their own."

Warren (8-4-2, 2-2) never could recover from its slow start.

"We just didn't clear the ball," Warren coach Jason Ahonen said. "You can't give a good team balls in the box and let them float around. It will come back and bite you.

"It's always tough playing here," Ahonen added. "It's a tough place to win. I would prefer to play anywhere else in the county besides (Lake Zurich)."

The NSC Lake race will come down to the final week. Stevenson (12-2, 4-0) will secure a berth in the conference championship game with a win over Lake Zurich next Tuesday at the Vernon Hills Athletic Center.

If the Patriots lose, Lake Forest (10-3, 3-1) or Lake Zurich can still claim the spot. Lake Forest plays at Warren on Tuesday and at Libertyville next Thursday.

Lake Zurich travels to Zion-Benton next Thursday, while Stevenson finishes at Warren the same day.