Lake Forest makes early goal hold up against Lakes

Lakes' girls soccer team opened its season with a solid core of returning players, and the Eagles matched up well against Lake Forest in an evenly played season opener on Monday.

All Lakes needed was one finishing shot.

Instead, the host Scouts got that shot in the opening minute and beat Lakes 1-0 in a North Suburban Conference crossover.

"I thought the game was what I expected," Lakes coach Kevin Kullby said. "I wish we finished our chances.We just needed the final chance, or the final shot."

Still, for a starting point, there was plenty to be optimistic about.

"I'm pleased with all of the players, with some of the things they did," Kullby said. "We need to make our game better. At times we looked great and at times we did what we hoped to do in a game. But we need to do things more consistently."

Two bright spots were ball possession, and the ability to set up an attack and move the ball upfield.

"Teamwork and willing to connect passes around the field," Kullby said. "At times we did it well, and at times we didn't find the basics."

Scoring opportunities were there for several Eagles, including Ashley Chernich, Alex Neal, Ashley Neubeck and Michelle Kosman.

"(Lake Forest) was one of the difficult teams we'll play against," Kosman said. "For the first time for us on the field all together since last year, I thought we controlled things a lot. However, the breakaways were kind of tough to get.

"We did have problems going against (Lake Forest) defense."

The Scouts' Abby Shipp scored the only goal 33 seconds into the game with an assist from Sheila Murphy.

"It was more like a give-and-go, and I was able to finish it," said Shipp, a sophomore. "It was the first play of the game and set the momentum for the rest of the game."

Lakes goalkeeper Sarah Fitzpatrick made 4 saves and had good defense in front of her from players suc as Alyssa Baker, Sarah Bartlett and Kristina Umlauf.

Taylor Edwards earned the shutout for the Scouts and also made 4 saves.

"You can't ask for anything better than to get a win," Lake Forest coach Ty Stucklager said. "At the beginning of the game, we moved the ball real well. Not to say (Lakes) was flat-footed. It was everybody's first game and you're nervous. I just think we hit it at the right time. You can't beat a shot like that."