Another NSC title for Lake Zurich

LAKE VILLA -- Lake Zurich High's boys soccer team captured its second straight North Suburban Conference title with a 2-0 victory over host Lakes in the NSC Championship Game on Wednesday.

And it wouldn't be surprising if the powerful Bears add on to that conference championship win streak in the coming seasons.

A trio of sophomore had a hand in both of Lake Zurich's goal on Wednesday, as the Bears (16-3-2) start only three seniors.

The victory was also Lake Zurich's 13th in a row.

"We have been playing really well for the last few weeks," said Lake Zurich coach Mike Schmitz, whose team was the NSC Lake Division winner. " This win was a nice measure of our success because it's a pretty tough conference to win."

Sophomore Eric Pothast opened the game's scoring in the 27th minute when he beat Lakes' keeper Matt Laine with a goal in the first half.

Lake Zurich didn't put in its second goal until early in the second half when sophomore Nick Janus converted off a pass from sophomore Tim Kruetz .

Solid play from Laine (10 saves) in goal prevented the Bears from increasing its lead.

"Tim played like he's capable of," said Lakes coach Kevin Kullby, whose team captured the NSC Prairie Division title for the first time in just its third season as a varsity program.

"Lake Zurich is a very opportunistic team, and they took advantage of their chances."

The Eagles couldn't put a shot past Lake Zurich junior goalkeeper Taao Scarnato (2 saves).

"At times, we were able to move the ball, but we just couldn't pull the trigger," said Kullby.

Both teams now set their sights on IHSA tournament play, as Lake Zurich is the third seed in its own sectional and Lakes is the 12th seed in the Libertyville Sectional.

NSC Championship Game