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Boys soccer: Marynevych, Grayslake Central blank Vernon Hills

Daniel Marynevych has been a catalyst and has provided the goal-scoring for Grayslake Central in the postseason.

The junior stepped up again with a pair of goals and only played the second half, which lifted third-seeded Grayslake Central past No. 2 Vernon Hills 2-0 in the Class 2A Vernon Hills sectional boys soccer semifinal on Tuesday night in Vernon Hills.

Marynevych had a strained hamstring from the regional final victory over Prairie Ridge on Saturday and was only available for about a half on Tuesday.

"He really didn't want to play the first half," Grayslake Central coach Keith Andersson said. "We redid our entire strategy and at halftime, I told him to start warming up. He went in and he's a game-changer. When you put him in, he just scores goals. He creates havoc on teams and you can't do anything about it. We're lucky and blessed to have him. He's playing on 40 percent legs right now."

Marynevych has scored 19 goals this season and 5 over the last three postseason games.

"I'm just very appreciative to be a part all of this," Marynevych said. "I'm just here to put in all my best and I was hoping my team could help me out with that."

Grayslake Central hadn't won a sectional game going back to 2007. The Rams also started this season at 0-4 but they're 12-1-2 over their last 15 matches with an overall mark of 12-5-2.

Marynevych opened the scoring by making a run a run down the left side just inside the box after taking a pass from Alan Alonso and scored into the upper corner in the 46th minute of play.

"I didn't see anyone in the middle," Marynevych said. "So, I honestly had to put it on goal and hoped for the best."

Marynevych added another goal six minutes later by beating Vernon Hills keeper Raul Jasso near the top of the box after taking a pass from his brother Marko for a 2-0 advantage.

Vernon Hills (12-5-3) had a couple of opportunities in the first half, but was turned away on each occasion by Rams' keeper Uriel Garcia Perez, who made a total of 7 saves.

"I think that we just lacked some energy," Vernon Hills coach Mike McCaulou said. "I thought we were the better team and they got us on counter attacks and scored two.

"We're still proud of our kids. We've got a phenomenal group of seniors. We will lose 13 seniors and eight of them start. We'll have a lot of underclassmen that will have the opportunity to earn spots next year."

In the other semifinal, top-seeded Crystal Lake South got past Carmel 1-0. The Gators (18-2-3) will play Grayslake Central in the sectional final at Vernon Hills Saturday at noon.

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