Boys soccer: Grayslake Central downs Prairie Ridge to move on

Third-seeded Grayslake Central scored 3 goals in the second half to get past No. 6 Prairie Ridge 3-1 in the Class 2A GC regional boys soccer championship Saturday in Grayslake.

The Rams' Daniel Marynevych scored twice and Cameron Paul had the other.

Grayslake Central (11-5-2) will play No. 2 seed Vernon Hills (12-4-3) in the sectional semifinal Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in Vernon Hills.

“It took a lot of work and Prairie Ridge played a real good game,” Grayslake Central coach Keith Andersson said. “They're a great team and a great organization. Luck was on our side today. We got a couple of breaks that really helped us. We played that game all the way through and (Prairie Ridge) pressed us hard.”

At halftime, Andersson was pushing the team to get some more energy that helped in the long run.

“Our speech to the seniors,” Andersson said. “We asked them if they wanted this to be their last game. That's all we had to say. We've been in it and know this feeling when you lose. We don't want that feeling yet. We like the high too much, we like the euphoria. If that's the way you want to end it then that's how you are going to play. We want you to go every game like it's your last game.”

Marynevych scored the first goal near the back post off a head flick from Paul that started on a throw-in in the 45th minute.

In the 65th minute, Marynevych took to the air with a header and beat the Prairie Ridge keeper for the ball and scored for a 2-0 lead. Nick Molochnikovc served the ball to the back post

“I saw the perfect opportunity to get the ball and I couldn't miss out,” said Marynevych, who scored his 17th goal of the season. “I had to go for the header. Luckily, I made contact and it made it into the goal. I just took a risk to get the ball and it was a 50/50 shot. I would say it's my best goal of the season.”

Prairie Ridge (10-9) got a goal back that cut the lead to 2-1 in the 75th minute. It went off the shoulder of Cade Collins from a Zion Smeja long service.

The Rams added a goal a couple of minutes later from Paul off a Lafuntae Floyd pass for the 3-1 difference.

“We were a little sloppy a couple of times,” Prairie Ridge coach Justin Brown said. “We changed a little bit towards the end, but that was because we were chasing. Still happy how we played. It was a shame that it turned out to be 3-1. We wanted to keep it close. We knew that we wouldn't get too many opportunities. We wanted to make the most of what we had. We just didn't get enough. We knew what to expect. From a game plan wise, I was happy how we executed that. Just little plays here and there could've been better.”