Thornton’s disappointing soccer season found a little ray of light Thursday afternoon during the Wildcats’ 5-1 victory over Thornridge in Dolton.
After trying for 11 games, Citlali Lagunas found the back of the net. Lagunas is a 5-foot-4-inch senior midfielder and the only girl on the Thornton team.
“Finally,” she said. “I’ve been wanting it for a while. This is the first good chance I’ve had.”
Lagunas found herself in the right spot to pick up a deflected pass and buried the shot from 16 yards out. Her teammates have been trying to set her up all season and were just as excited as she was after the goal.
“So far, this is the highlight of the season,” said Thornton coach Leo Andrade. The victory improved the Wildcats to 3-9 overall and 2-5 in the SICA East.
And now that Lagunas is in the scoring column, she hopes many more will follow:
“I’m going to keep trying.”
Andrew 1, Stagg 0: Callin Manning scored the only goal for Andrew in the SICA West.
Brother Rice 2, De La Salle 0: Kevin Crowe made eight saves and Tony Capron and Pat Farrell had the goals for the Crusaders (7-8-1, 4-0 Catholic League), whose seven victories have all been shutouts.
Joliet 6, Lockport 0: Six different players scored as Joliet (12-1-1, 7-1) rolled in the SICA West.
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Kennedy 4, Bowen 1: Salvador Patino scored twice for the Crusaders (9-1, 9-1 Public Red South).
Mt. Carmel 6, Weber 0: Mt. Carmel (13-0-2) received goals from six different players to stay unbeaten in the Catholic League South.
Romeoville 5, Richards 3: Jason Mussatto had two goals as the Spartans (7-6, 5-3 SICA North) staked an early lead.
Marist Invitational: Goals by Ricardo Rangel and Heriberto Zambrano led Eisenhower (12-2-1) past Marian Catholic 2-0 and a second-place finish.
Volleyball
Louisville Assumption d. Mother McAuley 15-9, 16-14: No. 4 Mother McAuley led in the first game before the nationally ranked visitors from Kentucky rallied for the sweep. Nicole Kacor led McAuley with nine kills.
Huntley d. Stillman Valley 15-4, 15-3: Becky Weber had 15 aces to lead No. 6 Huntley (17-2, 5-0) in the Big Northern.
Bradley-Bourbonnais d. Rich Central 15-2, 17-15: Susan Webb and Crystal Williams each had eight kills for the Boilermakers (14-4, 4-0 SICA South).
Chicago Vocational d. Bowen 15-9, 15-8: Shawanna Fields had nine kills for the Cavaliers (9-5, 3-4 Public Red South).
Crete-Monee d. Rich East 16-14, 2-15, 17-15: Michelle Weber had five kills for the Warriors (6-7, 1-3 SICA South).
Joliet Catholic d. St. Viator 15-5, 15-2: Marissa Mudron had 18 assists for the Hilltoppers (10-7, 4-0 East Suburban Catholic).
Lemont d. Ridgewood 15-8, 15-5: Nikki Festin had six kills and three aces for the Injuns (13-5-5, 4-0 Suburban Prairie Blue).
Morgan Park d. Kennedy 11-15, 15-7, 15-12: Vanessa Arendt had seven kills and four blocks for the Mustangs (8-5-3, 6-0 Public Red South).
Seneca d. Lisle 15-12, 15-9: Julie Provance had 21 assists for the Fighting Irish (9-7-1, 4-4 Interstate Eight).
Seton d. Mother Guerin 15-7, 15-11: Gina Kulas had 25 assists for the Satellites (14-3, 6-0 GCAC White).
Shepard d. Thornton 15-6, 15-5: Tara Matysek had eight assists and two aces for the Astros (10-3, 3-1 SICA East).
Thornton Fractional North d. Thornton Fractional South 15-13, 15-3: Jill Colclasure had three kills and Vanessa Bustos added three aces for T.F. North (13-4, 7-0) in the SICA Central.
Wilmington d. Reed-Custer 15-9, 15-13: Jackie Rader had nine kills and eight digs and Karen Machalek added six kills for Wilmington (21-1-2, 8-0) in the Interstate Eight.