Lakes 4, Vernon Hills 0

A team that couldn't win early in the season now is triumphing with regularity.

Lakes' girls won again Wednesday, shutting down host Vernon Hills 4-0 in a key North Suburban Prairie Division match.

The Eagles have won 11 of their last 13 games, after starting the season 0-5.

"There's been good performances on both sides of the ball," Lakes coach Kevin Kullby said. "We're making the chances coming our way count. It's been a team effort and the team has jelled. We're putting together good passing combinations and defending, as well."

Lakes (11-7, 5-0) will travel to Antioch on Monday for a 6:15 p.m. start. If Lakes wins, it will to host the North Suburban championship game next Thursday. If Antioch wins, it will host the NSC title game on Wednesday, since Antioch will be hosting the conference boys track meet on Thursday.

Either way, it's been quite the turnaround for Lakes.

"I expected us to compete (early in the season)," Kullby said. "We had to make adjustments and it's a credit to the girls that they did. It's worked. We had to move some players into different positions, some that normally play and some that don't normally play. It's worked like a charm."

Lakes' Ashley Chernich scored in the second minute against Vernon Hills, after taking a pass from Brittany Mooney.

The Eagles' Michelle Kosman made it 2-0 in the 38th minute, after collecting a cross from Rebecca Hill.

"It was nip and tuck through the first half," Kullby said. "Vernon Hills generated opportunities at our goal. They were unlucky not to get two to three (goals) themselves."

Lakes added two goals in the second half. Sophie Khawaja scored off an assist from Alex Neal in the 47th minute, and Jessica David finished with Ashley Neubeck assisting in the 70th minute.

"I think (the reason for the team success) has been the play in the back and the way we work the ball around the field," Eagles stopper Jenny Mason said. "We work the ball well through the midfield and we're containing the ball well now. Also, Coach Kullby has found the perfect lineup."

Lakes keepers Sarah Fitzpatrick (7 saves), and Jessica Schroeder (3 saves) combined for the shutout.

"(Lakes) just outplayed us," Vernon Hills coach Vince DeLuca said.