Cougars push Lake Forest to the limit

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Sometimes, the seeds awarded to teams at IHSA sectional seeding meetings are misleading.

Wednesday was one of those times.

Vernon Hills came into Wednesday's regional semifinal match here against powerful Lake Forest as the hapless/lowly No. 16 seed -- a terrible number for a team with an 8-9-7 record.

And on the pitch at Vernon Hills, No. 2-seeded Lake Forest nearly paid the ultimate price.

Though the Scouts survived -- barely -- with a 1-0 victory to live to play another day, not all the Lake Forest players did survive walk off the pitch healthy.

The rough play cost Lake Forest the services of three starters, as sophomore Annie Rowell, senior Kate Affourtit and freshman Katharine McCauley all went down with injuries and all are questionable for Friday's regional final.

After a scoreless first half, the Scouts got the lone goal in the 44th minute as Kat Svigos found Megan Bourne with a perfect cross, and Bourne one-timed it home.

Later in the half, Lake Forest was thwarted on a major scoring chance when Meaghan Laughlin had a breakaway, but was denied on a diving save by Cougar keeper Amy Burton (five total saves in the game).

Vernon Hills had two solid chances to score late. In the 55th minute, Haley Bosco had a free kick from just outside the box and fired high. Then, in the 64th minute, off a cross, Lauren Clatch had a header that sailed just wide.

"That's what happens when the seedings are done four games into the season," said Lake Forest coach Ty Stuckslager . "Give Vernon Hills credit. They cut off our switches and were very physical."

The coach wasn't happy to see his three starters get injured.

"Vernon Hills didn't allow us to do the things we like to do. They played the game the way the refs let them. It was played a lot rougher than some pro games."