Bears take third in tourney

Undefeated teams in soccer aren't always content teams.

Take Lake Zurich's High School's club. It settled for two ties in last week's Barrington Classic before blasting Rockford Boylan 4-1 for third place Saturday afternoon.

"We weren't happy with the ties, but I was happy with how we responded (vs. Boylan)," Bears coach Mike Schmitz said.

Brothers Eric and John Pothast each scored a goal for LZ (4-0-2) in the Boylan match, with Mike Messmer (10 saves) emerging as the winning goalkeeper. Brad McCurley and Brett Harper also beat RB's keeper.

Assists were credited to Messmer, McCurley and Andy Lynch.

LZ tied Wheaton-Warrenville South 3-3 on Sept. 4, two days after a 1-1 stalemate with St. Charles North in a tourney opener.

McCurley had a goal and an assist in LZ's 2-0 defeat of Marmion Academy on Sept. 3. Nick Janus also tallied for LZ, with Jack Rathe accounting for the team's other helper.

"It was nice to see all 18 of our guys contribute throughout the week," Schmitz said. "We had injuries and guys stepped up; those guys got chances to show what they could do.

"A little adversity is never a bad thing, especially at the beginning of a season," he added. "It's part of the learning process. You figure things out about your team while dealing with adversity."

LZ plays in a Pepsi Showdown match today.

BULLDOGS: Wauconda soccer coach Terry Stevig guided two teams in one afternoon in last week's Wauconda Soccer Classic opener.

One trailed 2-0 to North Chicago on Sept. 2.

The other outscored the Warhawks 5-1 in the second half of a 5-3 victory.

"We did not play an intelligent first half," Stevig said. "Fortunately, an entirely different group showed up for us in the second half.

"I didn't have to light a fire under them; they lit it themselves."

Bulldogs senior center-midfielder Mike LeClaire burned NC for three goals; Greg Gustafson and Greg Henk also scored for Wauconda.

"Mike is very aggressive, great with the ball," Stevig said. "He was everywhere, a spark for us."

Thursday's tourney action was rained out. Stevig's club tied Marian Central Catholic 1-1 on Saturday, getting a PK from senior Silvestre Bonilla. Classmate Joe Radice protected the nets.

Wauconda (4-1-1) hosts Highland Park at 6:15 p.m. Friday.