Nickolson, Grayslake North roll past Woodstock
Junior Grant Nickolson scored a hat trick, and Grayslake North's boys soccer team routed visiting Woodstock North 9-1 in a Fox Valley Conference Fox Division match Tuesday night.
Grayslake North, Grayslake Central and Crystal Lake Central are all tied for first place in the division with 1 loss each.
Senior Kyle Hensley added a pair of goals, including one on a penalty kick, for Grayslake North (6-10, 4-1), which celebrated Senior Night. Jason Rhodes, Chris Zamora and Sean Dameron each had a goal and an assist. J.C. Thomas also scored, while Carlos Alfaro and Chris Gallegos contributed assists.
"Tonight our boys showed the confidence and the desire to attack with a consistency we have been striving for all season," Knights coach Adam DeCaluwe said. "From the first whistle we got into their half and made it as difficult as we could for Woodstock North to get out and find any sort of rhythm. At 4-0 up, we stepped back a bit and didn't close down a loose ball in our defensive third that they managed to score to give them their lone strike of the night. That goal against seemed to refocus the group as they worked to make our attack the most effective form of defending."
Grayslake Central 2, Crystal Lake Central 0: David Young earned the shutout with a 7-save performance, and Ethan Rockel and Tanner Manley scored for the Rams in the Fox Valley Fox match.
Matt Kozak and Bryan Wehde had assists for Grayslake Central (9-6-3, 3-1).
Vernon Hills 1, Stevenson 0: The Cougars beat the Patriots for the first time in their history, moving to 11-5 in their Pink Out Game to support breast cancer awareness.
Joseph Lee scored the game-winner on an assist from Matt Gramins in the North Suburban crossover. This is the first time in school history that the Cougars have won both of their crossover games.
Brennan Reback earned the shutout with 6 saves.
"This was a great team win," Vernon Hills coach Mike McCaulou said. "The boys have been playing great soccer as of late, and I thought tonight we brought it all. We kept our shape defensively and made it hard for Stevenson to beat us over the top. As a defensive unit, we keep improving and the last 4 out of 5 games we have kept clean sheets. Hard work and discipline all over the field tonight from our guys. We are very proud of them."
Antioch 2, Lake Zurich 2: Lake Zurich took the lead in the North Suburban crossover with five minutes left, but Antioch responded with the equalizer three minutes later.
Gabe Tijerina and Zach Espitia scored for Antioch (12-6-2), which is unbeaten (5-0-2) in its last seven games. Krystian Nikolov assisted on both goals for the Sequoits.
Lakes 3, Zion-Benton 2: Zack Espinosa and Foster Dore each had a goal and an assist for the host Eagles, who led the North Suburban crossover 2-1 at halftime.
Lakes (6-8-1) also got a goal from Sean O'Brien, while Nick Dydo had an assist. Wade Parmly made 12 saves in net for the Eagles.
Lake Forest 1, Grant 0: Jack Kelner scored his third goal of the season off an assist from Sebastian Ziaja, as the Scouts captured the North Suburban crossover.
Keeper Riley Perkofski made 9 saves in notching his second shutout for Lake Forest (5-8-2).
Grant goalie Nathan Munsterman had 10 saves.
Warren 4, North Chicago 0: Ivan Esquivel had a goal and an assist for the Blue Devils in the North Suburban crossover.
Warren (14-3-3) also got goals from Jason Schulz, Matt Haight and Jeremy Richter. Martin Fuentes, Alex Fratila and Richie Flores added assists.
Sophomore Hunter Faurbo and Blair McCormick shared the shutout in goal.
Mundelein 5, Wauconda 0: Jony Lucio scored twice for the Mustangs in the North Suburban crossover.
Kenny Adiyah, Jose Ortega and Nick Ramirez also scored for Mundelein (10-5-3). Bryan Alba had a pair of assists. Ramirez and Yann Nsoga also assisted on goals.
Keepers Donnie Kvien and Eric Muniz each made 2 saves in sharing the shutout.