Boys soccer: Martinez hat trick sparks Round Lake past Antioch

Round Lake has a boys soccer team that shows a lot of chemistry on the field and the Panthers can back it up with tradition. They have been a consistent leader in the Northern Lake County Conference and are after the top spot once again.

Oscar Martinez scored a hat trick and Rafael Millan had the other goal, as Round Lake got past visiting Antioch 4-1 on Tuesday night.

"The kids are great with the touches and everything," Round Lake coach Hugo Tellez said. "Sometimes it's a little too much, where I have to force them to be a little bit greedy to finish off the goals. But, they're not trying to be selfish and it's one of the things I'm trying to push."

The Panthers (8-5-1) are in a good spot at 5-0 in the NLCC with remaining games at Lakes on Thursday and host Grayslake Central (7-4-1, 5-0) on October 7, while the Rams visit Wauconda on Thursday. Grayslake Central beat Lakes 4-2 on Tuesday night.

This is also the week where the seeding takes place for the state tournament.

"We did come in with a harder schedule. It's nice for the kids and should help us out for the postseason," Tellez said. "It comes down to the experience of playing bigger teams and stronger teams. Right now we're looking at our next game and not looking ahead."

Martinez got 2 goals in the first half Tuesday and added the third one in the second half.

"It's special to get the hat trick and to help the team," Martinez said. "Just happy to get the win. We have chemistry and that helps us put it together."

Antioch (4-9, 1-4) knew it was playing a good team. Brock Jurinek scored the lone goal on a penalty kick after a foul in the box for the Sequoits.

"(Round Lake) was a good team and well-coached," Antioch coach Mike McDermott said. "They're quick, they listen and work together. It just shows on the field and the scoreboard. Playing as good as we did, we just had to take advantage of our chances. It might have been a few and some other games we get some more. But when you play a quality side like Round Lake, they're a well disciplined team. When you get a shot on goal, you have to take advantage of it."