Lahera, Grayslake North top Zion-Benton

Grayslake North senior Katie Lahera showed off a strong leg as the varsity football team’s place-kicker the last two falls.

She demonstrated her power on the soccer field at Lakes on Thursday. Lahera’s second half goal was the difference, as Grayslake North held on for a 2-1 win over Zion-Benton in second-round action of the Lakes invitational.

Lahera took a pass from Katie McGrath, touched the ball into space and hit a shot that went off the goalie’s hands and into the back of the net. Jaclyn Brennan’s goal off an assist from Sam Villwock in the first half had put Grayslake North ahead 1-0.

Zion-Benton averted the shutout when it converted a penalty kick with three minutes left.

Brook Sauer made 4 saves for the Knights, who improved to 6-5-1 and 1-1 in the invite, which resumes Saturday.

“Today’s game was a bit sloppy with the wet conditions, but we managed to play well enough to get the win against a Zion team that did well putting us under pressure,” Grayslake North coach Adam DeCaluwe said. “We were fairly comfortable for a majority of the game, as our defenders did a great job of cleaning things up and getting the ball back into Zion’s half of the field.”

Grayslake Central 2, Crystal Lake Central 1 (OT): Alex Wilson’s second goal of the game lifted the visiting Rams in overtime of the Fox Valley Conference match.

Maggie Wehde and Anna Sizelove had assists for the Rams. Kajal Chokshi had 7 saves in net for Grayslake Central (7-5).

Vernon Hills 2, Antioch 0: At McMillen Field, the Cougars won to even their record at 1-1 in the Lakes invitational.

Antioch fell to 1-1 in the invite.

Wauconda 3, Round Lake 2: The Bulldogs got goals from Jackie Lung, Melissa Latham and Tasha Braun. Lauren Mantas and Alicia Knight had assists for Wauconda (2-10).

Stevenson 1, Glenbrook South 0: Anne Geocaris scored in the second half off an assist from Jenna Weiner in the Pepsi Showdown match.

Keeper Cori Calcaterra made 10 saves to earn the shutout, helping Stevenson improve to 7-3-1.

Jacobs 1, Mundelein 0: The host Golden Eagles got a strike from Lauren Grady in the 65th minute.

Alyssa Koeppler made 3 saves, as Jacobs improved to 9-5-2.

St. Charles East 3, Lake Zurich 0: At Barrington, the Bears fell in the Naperville invite.

Lake Zurich (6-4) got 8 saves from keeper Eleanor Daleske.