Boys soccer: Round Lake downs Rolling Meadows

A brilliant late-game goal from Maqiis Haywood is sending Round Lake on to a regional final.

Haywood broke a 2-2 tie in the 73rd minute with a bend-it-like-Beckham shot from 25 yards out that curled in the back of the net just inside the right post.

The spectacular tally led the Panthers to a 3-2 win in the regional semifinal at Robert A. Hoese Field in Rolling Meadows.

"It was all adrenaline, unbelievable," said Haywood. "I'm so glad that shot went in. A big win for us for sure."

"A great atmosphere out here tonight," said Round Lake coach Hugo Tellez. "Playoffs in general - records don't mean anything. If this was the World Cup, this regional would be the Group of Death. If you get out of this regional you've really conquered something.

"Rolling Meadows played a heck of a game on their home field," added Tellez, " but we've been doing that all year - going to other people's home place and taking it from them."

Danny Galvan and Haywood had the other 2 goals for Round Lake, while Adan Ramirez, one of the Meadows captains, scored twice for the Mustangs.

"It was a tough loss for all of us, especially the seniors," said Mustangs senior Matt Galvan, another Meadows captain. "We've worked so hard for this the past three or four years, so this is really disappointing.

"This was one of our best games of the season, " added Galvan, "and I just want to thank all of my teammates for playing their hearts out. I just wish we could keep going."