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Kurowska helps Lake Zurich shoot past Geneva

Lake Zurich went late into the night before finding a way to grab a win out of its hat when some magic from keeper Anna Kurowska did the trick in shoot-out.

The Bears (5-4-1) defeated Geneva 2-1 in opening-round play of Barrington’s Mairin Wallner Memorial tournament Wednesday night.

Coach Meghan Kolze’s club cancelled out an early penalty kick converted by Annie Waldoch at nine minutes with a goal of its own in the 65th minute. The Bears then played the Vikings (5-3-4) for another 35 minutes in the frigid night air before sending the match into shoot-out, where Kurowska stopped 3 consecutive spot kicks and Vanesa Abad, Brooke Sill and Jessica West put their chances away to help the Bears outscore their opponents 3-1.

“This was a very good win for us tonight,” said Kolze, who thought her team played a little tentatively in the first 40 minutes but came alive after intermission and created a handful of scoring chances , including a point-blank cracker from West on which Geneva keeper Victoria Fortney made a brilliant save just as regulation came to a close.

“We were missing three starters tonight, but once we found out we could play well without them, then we saw some very good soccer in the second half where we were aggressive and dangerous going forward,” said Kolze.

Early on, the center official ruled Bears keeper Maggie Monson might have given Amanda Lulek a rough ride when she came off her line to challenge a 50-50 just inside the box. Kurowska relieved Monson, and Waldoch buried her kick.

“I was ready to come in for Maggie; you always have to be ready,” said Kurowska.

Kurowska received some help when an early ball into the area found Lulek and a nicely played tackle from Catalina Abad erased any chance for the Vikings’ talented sophomore to get clear on the LZ senior keeper.

The Bears equalized at 65 minutes when Molly Murrin found the upper corner near the back post with a superb strike from the right side.

Fortney somehow was able to get full extension, while seeming to stay suspended in mid-air to deny what seemed like a sure goal by West. But the Vikings senior had little chance to stop the Bears in shoot-out after turning away the first attempt from Maisie Cox.

“Victoria had an amazing night in goal for us, and she was the reason we were able to get into extra time, then later in shoot-out,” said Geneva coach Megan Owens. “When all the focus becomes (PKs), I had to remind her of the wonderful game that she had tonight, and how well she played all throughout. Now the hard part is coming back to play again tomorrow.”

Alex Goldstein scored with 7 seconds left, lifting Vernon Hills’ girls soccer team to a 1-0 win over Zion-Benton in opening-round action of the Lakes tournament Wednesday.

Allison Clatch collected the assist, as the Cougars improved their season record to 4-2-1.

Grayslake North 1, Woodstock 0: Katie McGrath’s goal from 25 yards out 10 minutes into the second half gave the Knights the only goal they needed in the Lakes tournament game.Jaclyn Brennan picked up the assist. Keeper Brooke Sauer made 6 saves in earning the shutout for Grayslake North (3-4, 1-3). Coach Adam DeCaluwe listed McGrath, Brennan, Kendall Detweiler and Chelsea Olson as standouts for his Knights.Libertyville 1, Warren 0: Allie Roeber scored in the opening half off an assist from Sydney Mudd for the Wildcats.

Goalie Natalie Algovino notched the shutout for Libertyville (6-4-1).

Antioch 1, Waukegan 0: Mallory Fracek netted the only goal, with Lauren Tiffany assisting, as the Sequoits won their opener in the Lake tournament.Kaylee Price made 3 saves in goal for Antioch (2-4).Grant 3, Round Lake 1: Vanessa Foreman, Ashly Fliers and Trisha Palmieri scored for the Bulldogs (5-6).

Jasmin Huerta had Round Lake#146;s goal.

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