Lemont holds off Washington

Updated: March 22, 2011 5:14PM

After two days of postponement because of rain and wind, it finally was time for soccer at the Class 2A Lemont Sectional semifinals.

The host Indians made the most of their opportunity Thursday, defeating Washington 2-0. Lemont (15-7-3) reached its fifth straight sectional championship game with hopes of making it back-to-back sectional championships.

"It's where we belong," Lemont goalie Jonathan Remiasz said after making four saves to notch his 10th shutout of the year. "Since I was a freshman, we've never missed it, so we pretty much did our job."

The sectional title game will be at 11 a.m. Saturday. At this point, the Indians are used to waiting.

"We waited two days for this game and Washington ends up coming 45 minutes late, but we can't control that," Lemont coach Rick Prangen said. "In the playoffs you have to get rid of all that and focus on the game in front of you.

"We preach to control what you can control, and all we can control is the match in front of us."

The Indians had a breakaway for Mike Walus early in the first half, but Washington goalie Edgar Torres was able to make the stop, while Kasparas Jasenauskas' rebound try went over the net. Tony Diorio also would have a breakaway attempt pushed away by Torres in the first half.

"With all the distractions in place today, to come out and have that much energy after that long of a delay is a testament to our team's desire," Prangen said.

Midway through the second half, Lemont's Tommy Gasienica found a familiar face in lifelong friend Walus in front of the net. Walus got a foot on the ball and made it a 1-0 Lemont lead.

"I've known and played soccer with Tommy all my life, and I just called for it and he set it perfectly for me," Walus said.

Just over three minutes later, Brandon Sabanov found Walus in front of the net. From there, Walus scored his second goal of the night and a 2-0 Lemont lead.

"It was a set piece that we work on all the time in practice and it finally came through one time," Walus said. "It's like you see in the movies, it's down to the final plays and you answer for your team. It's magical."

Remiasz would make one more stop in net for Lemont, withstanding a Washington (15-2) attack in the final minutes.

"Every game we go in with the mind-set that we can't let in any goals," Remiasz said. "I'm proud of the team for being a No. 1 seed and getting all the way through, even with teams trying to knock us off the top of the ladder.

"I'm pretty confident that we're going to win sectionals."

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