Lakes pulls stunning win over Deerfield

Updated: October 30, 2011 4:25PM

If chances counted more than goals, Deerfield would have won Saturday’s 2A boys soccer sectional final by a wide margin.

But goals determine winners, and Lakes (15-9-1) scored one more, stunning the Warriors 1-0 on the Eagles’ home field.

Lakes’ lone goal came on a fluke, a 40-yard free kick from Scott Brugioni (team-leading 18 assists on the season) with just over two minutes remaining in the first half. A high ball, Warriors goalie Joshua Norris misjudged its flight, allowing the ball to go over his head and into the back of the net.

“In games like this sometimes its better to be lucky than good. Today we got a little break there,” said Lakes coach Kevin Kullby.

Possession was even in the first half, with Lakes bottling up Deerfield (18-6-1) star forward Joey Calistri. After the break, Deerfield controlled possession almost exclusively, only to see Lakes stifle deep Warrior runs. The Eagles cleared three balls off the line, most notably defender Kevin Nadelhoffer, who cleared out a sure Calistri goal seven minutes into the second half.

Wearing an all-black uniform with bright green gloves, Lakes goalkeeper Roberto Tre Re was Deerfield’s grim reaper, punching out chance after Warrior chance. When he corralled another Calistri header in front of the goal with just under five minutes remaining, it confirmed to all watching Lakes would prevail.

“I had four straight nights of nightmares before this game it meant so much to me,” said Tre Re. “Words cannot describe how much thanks I give to my defense.”

When the final minute expired, the Lakes student body stormed the field to celebrate their school’s sectional title. In contrast, Deerfield players crashed to the ground in agony, their state title hopes shattered.

“I thought we dominated the game, especially in the second half. We had one bad break,” said Deerfield coach Elliot Hurtig. “It just wasn’t our day and sometimes that happens.”

With the win, Lakes advances to the DeKalb Supersectional. The Eagles will face Marmion Tuesday night. In 2010, they lost to Burlington 4-1 in the supersectional.

“It helped to be at home, it helped to have a great turnout of fans. That really inspired the guys to hang in there,” said Kullby.

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