Boys Soccer

Stirring victory for Lake Zurich in sectional semifinals

Posted October 27, 2009 11:00 pm

By Rusty Silber

Lake Zurich senior Brett Harper turns to soar back upfield after scoring the second goal of the game against Rockford Boylan in the sectional game Wednesday at Barrington. John Starks | Staff Photographer

Eric Pothast potted the first goal and that got things stirring for Lake Zurich's boys soccer team.

Pothast's head goal was all the Bears needed, as they went on to blank Rockford Boylan 3-0 in a Class 3A sectional semifinal at Barrington on Tuesday night.

Lake Zurich (18-4) will next take on upstart Larkin (9-15-3) at 6 p.m. Friday back at Barrington for the sectional championship.

Larkin surprised Crystal Lake South 2-1 in the first semifinal, ending the Gators' season at 19-4-2.

Pothast got the Bears on the board in the 11th minute. He banged in his 13th goal of the season off a cross from Brett Harper, beating Titans keeper Sean Cussen.

"Brett got out wide and I made eye contact with him," Pothast said. "He sent a beautiful ball to the back post. I just caught the goalie going the wrong way. I just headed the ball toward the near post."

Harper scored five minutes later after Nick Janus set him up. Harper dribbled around a defender and beat Cussen on a breakaway.

Kreutz added the final tally in the second half, speeding down the left sideline, before making a ridiculous move and beating Cussen for his 18th goal of the season.

"I lost some speed and decided to cut it back on (the defender)," Kreutz said. "I went back to my left foot, moved my head forward a bit and got the ball to my right foot. He couldn't stay with me and then I put (the shot) off the far post and in."

Lake Zurich had many chances to score more goals. A number of the shots barely missed the frame and a couple of others pinged off the post and crossbar.

"It was an intense game and we came out hard," Lake Zurich coach Mike Schmitz said. "We knocked the ball around. We only got one goal in the second half, but (Boylan) did a nice job. It was nice to see our team get rewarded. We just wanted to stay within ourselves."

Lake Zurich keeper Tyler Raineri made 3 saves in earning his ninth shutout.

Lake Zurich senior Eric Pothast misses the net with a header from a throw-in against Rockford Boylan in the sectional game Wednesday at Barrington. John Starks | Staff Photographer

Lake Zurich's Eric Pothast heads the ball as Rockford Boylan's Sam Dieckhaus misses in the sectional game Wednesday at Barrington. John Starks | Staff Photographer

Lake Zurich's Tim Kreutz watches his shot go wide of the goal against Rockford Boylan in the sectional game Wednesday at Barrington. John Starks | Staff Photographer

Lake Zurich's Eric Pothast turns toward the crowd after scoring the first goal of the game against Rockford Boylan in the sectional game Wednesday at Barrington. John Starks | Staff Photographer

Lake Zurich's Tim Kreutz has his shot blocked by the Rockford Boylan goalie in the first half in the sectional game Wednesday at Barrington. John Starks | Staff Photographer

Lake Zurich seniors Tim Kreutz, left, and Eric Pothast trot off the field together after defeating Rockford Boylan 3-0 in the sectional game Wednesday at Barrington. John Starks | Staff Photographer

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