Grayslake Central falls
to Lakes in regional opener
By Mike Garofola
LAKE VILLA -- Grayslake Central's campaign came to an end as they were beaten by regional host Lakes 3-0 Tuesday night at Polley Field.
Seventh-seeded Grayslake Central, which played to a 0-0 draw with the Eagles on April 26, was forced to chase the game early when Sophia Goodale hit the opener in the 12th minute.
"It was a night when we didn't bring the intensity we needed to be as competitive we needed to be to get the result we came here for," said Grayslake Central manager Keith Andersson, whose club finished 6-8-3 overall and 3-1-3 and fourth in the Northern Lake County Conference, a point behind Lakes (3-0-4).
"We did some good things here and there, but Lakes was the better team, and that's why they advanced," added Andersson.
Grayslake Central opened with freshman Madison Hoffman up-top alongside senior Courtney Fletcher. When the home side began to win most of the first and second balls in the middle of the park, Andersson moved Hoffman back into the middle in the hope of slowing the constant flow of traffic toward his goal. The pattern developed in part due to Goodale and her terrific sophomore running mate Mia Silber, who were a constant thorn in the side of the Rams on both sides of the ball.
Goodale’s opener came after she beat a pair of challengers to create a 1-v-1 with Rams keeper Piper Gallaher. A lovely touch the other way came at the end of her enterprising 35-yard run and yielded the goal.
Gallaher enjoyed a record-setting final night of her wonderful prep career.
"I found that Piper set a school record with her 25 saves tonight. She will be sorely missed next year," said Andersson. Gallaher, who will play collegiately at Loyola, was named all-conference, all-sectional and was a finalist for league keeper of the year honors.
Hoffman was also named all-NLCC, and honorable mention all-sectional. Teammates Sara Armstrong, Katie Dinsmore and Dahlia Rodriguez were also posted on the all-conference list.
Rodriguez, a freshman, returned to action for this contest after missing two weeks with an ankle injury suffered in the Rams 2-1 loss to undefeated league champ Wauconda on April 28.
Grayslake Central responded to the Goodale goal. Hoffman, on the turn, forced Lakes keeper Caitlin Pron into a save. The game would have been level in the 27th minute if an Armstrong effort had not been taken off the line by the Eagles’ Sophie Walker.
Lakes (7-5-4) doubled its advantage just after the break when Silber scored. Senior Carolyn Monaco completed the score line in the 60th minute.
The young Grayslake Central club was unable to mount a comeback attempt, except for a free kick just wide by Hoffman.
"It's always tough to see your seniors’ season and career end, but again, we just lost to a better team tonight," said Andersson, whose first 11 had seven underclassmen in it.
The coach began a tradition with his boys team. The Rams hold a practice after the final game of the season that the seniors run.
Gallaher, Fletcher, Natalie Thorson, Iz Kaempfe, Megan Kozlov, Ellie Schulz, Kaitlyn Morrissey and Sara Ottoman fulfilled that honor for the girls team to officially call the 2022 campaign to a close.
Lakes advanced to its regional final and a tough task. The Eagles host second-seeeded Saint Viator this afternoon (Friday, May 20) at 4:30 p.m.
to Lakes in regional opener
By Mike Garofola
LAKE VILLA -- Grayslake Central's campaign came to an end as they were beaten by regional host Lakes 3-0 Tuesday night at Polley Field.
Seventh-seeded Grayslake Central, which played to a 0-0 draw with the Eagles on April 26, was forced to chase the game early when Sophia Goodale hit the opener in the 12th minute.
"It was a night when we didn't bring the intensity we needed to be as competitive we needed to be to get the result we came here for," said Grayslake Central manager Keith Andersson, whose club finished 6-8-3 overall and 3-1-3 and fourth in the Northern Lake County Conference, a point behind Lakes (3-0-4).
"We did some good things here and there, but Lakes was the better team, and that's why they advanced," added Andersson.
Grayslake Central opened with freshman Madison Hoffman up-top alongside senior Courtney Fletcher. When the home side began to win most of the first and second balls in the middle of the park, Andersson moved Hoffman back into the middle in the hope of slowing the constant flow of traffic toward his goal. The pattern developed in part due to Goodale and her terrific sophomore running mate Mia Silber, who were a constant thorn in the side of the Rams on both sides of the ball.
Goodale’s opener came after she beat a pair of challengers to create a 1-v-1 with Rams keeper Piper Gallaher. A lovely touch the other way came at the end of her enterprising 35-yard run and yielded the goal.
Gallaher enjoyed a record-setting final night of her wonderful prep career.
"I found that Piper set a school record with her 25 saves tonight. She will be sorely missed next year," said Andersson. Gallaher, who will play collegiately at Loyola, was named all-conference, all-sectional and was a finalist for league keeper of the year honors.
Hoffman was also named all-NLCC, and honorable mention all-sectional. Teammates Sara Armstrong, Katie Dinsmore and Dahlia Rodriguez were also posted on the all-conference list.
Rodriguez, a freshman, returned to action for this contest after missing two weeks with an ankle injury suffered in the Rams 2-1 loss to undefeated league champ Wauconda on April 28.
Grayslake Central responded to the Goodale goal. Hoffman, on the turn, forced Lakes keeper Caitlin Pron into a save. The game would have been level in the 27th minute if an Armstrong effort had not been taken off the line by the Eagles’ Sophie Walker.
Lakes (7-5-4) doubled its advantage just after the break when Silber scored. Senior Carolyn Monaco completed the score line in the 60th minute.
The young Grayslake Central club was unable to mount a comeback attempt, except for a free kick just wide by Hoffman.
"It's always tough to see your seniors’ season and career end, but again, we just lost to a better team tonight," said Andersson, whose first 11 had seven underclassmen in it.
The coach began a tradition with his boys team. The Rams hold a practice after the final game of the season that the seniors run.
Gallaher, Fletcher, Natalie Thorson, Iz Kaempfe, Megan Kozlov, Ellie Schulz, Kaitlyn Morrissey and Sara Ottoman fulfilled that honor for the girls team to officially call the 2022 campaign to a close.
Lakes advanced to its regional final and a tough task. The Eagles host second-seeeded Saint Viator this afternoon (Friday, May 20) at 4:30 p.m.