Lockport pulls away from Lincoln-Way West

Updated: April 22, 2011 2:06PM

Todd Elkei said before the season he expects his Lockport girls soccer team to challenge for conference, regional and sectional championships.

The Porters' first-year coach guided Homewood-Flossmoor to sectional titles in 2007 and 2008 during his nine years as the Vikings' coach and he wants to build similar success with his new program.

Lockport took another small step toward its goals for the season and beyond with a 7-0 victory Thursday over visiting Lincoln-Way West in a SouthWest Suburban crossover game.

"Our expectations are a lot higher than what they're used to here,'' Elkei said. "We're definitely pleased with the progress we're making. It's just that we want it now.''

Although Lockport (7-2) didn't score until past the midway point of the first half, the Porters were quicker and stronger to the ball and dominated play for most of Thursday's game.

"We have a little more soccer experience than they do,'' Elkei said. "They have a lot of younger kids who are going out there and giving the best they can. But as quick as we played we need to be quicker.''

Frannie Vargas and Ally Brehm both had two goals and Lexi Cozzi, Julie Divita and Gina Collesano also scored for the Porters, who led 4-0 at halftime.

"I think it's going good,'' Cozzi, a junior, said of the season. "We still have to move up to be with the better teams. We have to connect more on the field.''

"Usually if things happen up front it goes through her,'' Elkei said of Cozzi. "She's involved in it somehow.''

Aside from the goal scorers, Elkei also cited the contributions of defender Lauren Labanauskas in the wind-swept victory.

Lockport's first two SouthWest Suburban Blue contests are home games – Monday against Joliet West and Wednesday against Sandburg, the defending 3A state runner-up.

Lincoln-Way West (2-5-1) rebounded from a slow start with victories over Bloom and Joliet West and a tie Tuesday with Lincoln-Way East. West coach Jeff Theiss knew the challenge his team faced Thursday.

"We knew we would be behind the eight ball today,'' Theiss said. "Lockport is a very good team. We started with numbers behind the ball. Ten minutes in we looked good.

"Lockport was possessing the ball, but we were trying to keep them from having dangerous opportunities. We did a good job of that. Twenty-two minutes in they got the first one. My disappointment came with the next three. There was a massive letdown.''

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