To get a glimpse of Lake Zurich’s improvement in boys soccer over the last year, look at the Evanston tournament standings.
Last year, the Bears finished 0-3 in the tournament. This year, they are 3-0 and will play in Saturday’s championship game against No. 7 Libertyville after beating Evanston 2-1 Thursday.
Lake Zurich took a 2-0 lead at the half after Nuru Weimah scored with an assist from Dave Pelka and Kyle Tromblee scored off an assist from Mike Bravo.
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Lake Zurich goalkeeper Brad Cox stopped 13 shots by the Wildkits. Evanston’s goal came from Bretton Mularski with 14 minutes 39 seconds left.
The Wildkits, who were playing without two starters, lost Tyrone Lord in the second half with a dislocated shoulder.
In other action, Libertyville beat Wheaton-Warrenville South 3-0 to advance to the championship game at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Benet 4, Wheaton North 3: J.D. Rake’s goal with 15 minutes left gave the Redwings (4-2) a non-conference victory over the second-ranked Falcons (5-1). Liam Lane added two goals for Benet, which snapped Wheaton North’s five-game winning streak.
“We were very composed in the last 15 minutes,” Benet coach Henry Wind said. “We didn’t just hold on. We didn’t panic.”
Conant 3, Schaumburg 2 (2 OT): Ron Chiero tipped in the winning goal for No. 8 Conant off Joel Avila’s attempt on a free kick with 3:13 remaining in the second overtime. The game was tied 1-1 at intermission, but Hamid Mehreioskouei gave Schaumburg a 2-1 lead in the second half. Conant’s Jason King scored to send the game into OT.
Addison Trail 5, Glenbard East 1: Alberto Fourlios’ hat trick paced the Blazers (4-2-1) to the non-conference victory.
Argo 1, Oak Lawn 0: Dennis Guytan’s goal off a direct kick was all the Argonauts (4-0-2, 2-0) needed in SICA North action. Freddy Cahue had seven saves for his third shutout.
Bradley-Bourbonnais 5, Crete-Monee 1: The Boilermakers (4-1, 2-0 SICA South) won behind two goals from Dario Passarini and eight saves from Jose Martinez.
Curie 5, Bogan 1: Peter Koscielniak scored four goals and Jose Ruiz added one for Curie (2-0, 2-0) in the Public White South.
Hersey 3, Hoffman Estates 2: Joe Szabo’s rebound goal less than 2 minutes into overtime won it for Hersey (4-1-1) in a Mid-Suburban League crossover.
Hinsdale South 3, Leyden 2 (penalty kicks): Dunca Tadas scored the game-winner on the 18th kick in the shootout to lift Hinsdale South (2-3, 0-1) in the West Suburban Gold.
Lyons Township 3, Willowbrook 0: Gino Ortega scored twice for the Lions (3-1-2), who took a 2-0 halftime lead. Mike Vidmar assisted on both of Ortega’s goals.
Marist 1, Fenwick 0: Mike Mravca’s first-half unassisted goal held up for the RedHawks (2-0-1).
Naperville Central 4, St. Viator 3: The Redhawks (3-3) scored three unanswered goals in the second half, including two from Jarret Burton, as they came back to win. Dan Thompson scored the winner with 15 minutes left.
Notre Dame 4, Niles West 1: In non-conference action, Bill Besenhofer’s hat trick sparked the Dons (5-1).
Peotone 3, Beecher 1: Joe Gentile scored twice and assisted on Matt Sheperd’s goal to lead Peotone (5-0, 1-0) in the River Valley.
Plainfield 6, Minooka 1: Joe Krotz had four goals and two assists for the Wildcats (3-2-1, 1-0) in the Suburban Prairie Red.
Rich East 12, Kankakee 0: Maceo Guy scored four goals and Mike Thompson added two goals and three assists for the Rockets (6-0, 2-0) in the SICA South.
West Aurora 2, IMSA 0: Derrick Perry scored twice and now has 12 goals on the season for West Aurora (4-1, 1-0).
York 1, Timothy Christian 0: John Mariner’s goal with 12 minutes to go gave the Dukes (3-2) the victory. Eric Muhlethalen finished with 10 saves for York.
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LaSallian tournament: Holy Cross (6-0) edged De La Salle 1-0 on Joe Dempsey’s goal off an assist from Mike Pugliese with 26 minutes left. . . . St. Patrick (4-2-1) will meet Holy Cross in Saturday’s championship game at 3 p.m. after prevailing over Driscoll 3-2. St. Patrick’s Jeff MacDonald tied the game 2-2 early in the second half, and Jason Janisch scored the winner off an assist from Byron DeLeon with 6 minutes to go.