Girls Soccer: Lemont third in Lemont Cup
By Steve Millar For Sun-Times Media May 5, 2012 9:22PM
Lemont's Shannon Briggs (3) heads the ball over Lincoln-Way North's Becca Morris (9) during Saturday's match. | Paul Bergstrom ~ Sun-Times Media
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Updated: June 7, 2012 8:31AM
Due to unique circumstances, Saturday’s third-place match of the Lemont Cup between Lincoln-Way North and Lemont may have been short on intensity, but the result certainly was satisfying for the host Indians.
Kelly Trojak and Emily Blase scored and Lemont bounced back from a disappointing 1-0 semifinal loss to Sandburg to defeat the Phoenix 2-0.
North (13-7-1) was playing without several starters who left in order to attend prom.
Both teams also were reluctant to show too much in a potential preview of a sectional championship match. The Phoenix is seeded No. 1 and Lemont (16-3-2) is seeded No. 2 in the Lincoln-Way North Sectional.
“(Lincoln-Way North coach Mike Murphy) got to play a bunch of young kids. I got to play a bunch of young kids,” Lemont coach Rick Prangen said. “We didn’t show too much. It was a nice, friendly game, but I’m certainly glad we won.”
Trojak scored late in the first half to give the Indians the lead. Blase’s second-half score sealed the win.
Kelly Fritz posted the shutout in goal.
“To be fair, Lincoln-Way North’s easily the favorite in the sectional,” Prangen said. “They are very good.”
In the semifinal, Lemont had some good chances early, including a pair of Kim Jerantowski shots that went wide. During a strong surge in the final 10 minutes, the Indians also could not find the net.
Sandburg (10-5-4) got the only goal when Elena Pappanastos scored off a rebound with 21:16 to go.
“I thought Sandburg had the run of play. They kept the ball better and they deserved to win,” Prangen said. “We played good late, but you can’t play only 10 minutes and win.”
Fritz had seven saves in the match and allowed just one goal in three tournament matches.
“Kelly played great,” Prangen said. “The goal wasn’t her fault. She showed again why she’s one of the best keepers in the area.”
Plainfield Central 1, Hinsdale South 0: Lauren Kulaga’s goal lifted Plainfield Central (13-8-1) in the consolation championship.
Lincoln-Way East 2, Francis Parker 0: Lindsey Murphy and Meaghan Grady scored for Lincoln-Way East (7-12) in the seventh-place match.
