Gelinas, McCurley lead Lake Zurich past Warren

Meaghan Gelinas and Kaitlyn McCurley are a tandem in Lake Zurich’s midfield sure to cause problems for opposing teams this season.

Warren found out the hard way on Thursday night.

Thanks to disruptive midfield work from Gelinas and McCurley, the Blue Devils had a hard time getting their offensive attack on track.

“We just know how to work well together,” Gelinas said. “We know our skill levels, and we trust one another.

“We really play good team defense and work well as team this year. One of our goals is to work together and push up as a team.”

So far, so good for the Bears as Lake Zurich opened North Suburban Lake Division play with a 3-0 victory over visiting Warren. Gelinas and McCurley both had 1 assist apiece.

Vanesa Abad scored one goal and assisted on another, and Jordan Jackson and Blair Coughenour had the other LZ goals.

The Bears also earned their first victory of the season and improved to 1-1-1 overall. The Blue Devils dropped to 1-3-1, and 1-2 in theNSC Lake.

“We played very well and we’re stressing possession,” Lake Zurich coach Michael Castronova said. “We did a great job putting pressure on (Warren’s) defense and their midfielders. We created chances and finished them.

“We do have a strong midfield, and we push the ball through them. We have a way to work the ball around. We also feel comfortable with our back four to work the ball around.”

Bears keeper Eleanor Daleski made 3 stops, with defenders Meagan Bens, Grace Eisenhuth, Courtney Kehrmann and Maggie Tuckey contributing to the clean sheet.

Coughenour scored the Bears’ first goal off McCurley’s assist in the 35th minute.

Abad assisted on the second Lake Zurich goal to Jackson in the 67th minute, and Abad netted the third with an assist from Gelinas.

Warren coach Ryan McCabe said Lake Zurich had the better of the play.

“I thought (Lake Zurich) outworked us big-time,” McCabe said. “(Warren’s) midfield definitely outplayed our midfield. Their girls were flying around, winning the ball. Their touch was much better on the ball and we had no time.

“Our girls just didn’t respond well in this one. (Lake Zurich) was very talented. They have great strikers and their midfield was real quality. They’re a real good team.”