Lemont got behind early and never was able to get back into the game in a 4-2 loss to Rockford Boylan in the state Class AA quarterfinals Friday at North Central College.
The Indians broke down on two lofted counters that left them with a 3-1 deficit. On each, sophomore keeper Andrew Lisowski came out, only to have headers directed over his head that rolled in from 15 and 20 yards.
“We felt we had the run of play the first 20 minutes, but we didn’t get to put them away,” said senior captain and midfielder George Brew. “We got one back (for a 2-1 deficit). But they put one back on us and put us on our heels.
“This is the best finish of my high school career, but we wanted to make it to the final four. It’s upsetting.”
Lemont played from behind all day in a battle of the smallest schools in the big school tournament. It began with a first-half goal by Boylan’s Rocco Taglia, who bent a low line drive on a 25-yard restart that Lisowski got a glove on but couldn’t stop. That gave the Titans a 1-0 lead at 34 minutes.
Lemont’s first backfield breakdown led to Angel Ramirez’ heady score at 44 minutes. Lemont sophomore Kyle Spoo halved the deficit at 57 minutes, but the second long header 10 minutes later from Travis Haug made it 3-1.
“A two-goal lead is really hard to keep. Once I scored we had to go harder and push it, step it up even more,” Haug said. “It’s good to show them (the Chicago schools). We’re from the outskirts and we can still beat … them.”
Brian Klazura scored the final goal for Boylan. Senior Tom McGuire assisted on the first Lemont goal and added the final tally of the season in the 80th minute on an assist by Krystian Ustupski.
Lemont (22-3-3) ended the best season in school history a day earlier than it wanted.
“We didn’t execute all our chances,” said Spoo, who scored his 19th goal of the season. “We were pumped and ready to play here. I think we played well. It’s upsetting that we didn’t get a chance to advance.”
Boylan (24-3) has several bus trips in its immediate future before its 9 a.m. semifinal match-up Saturday against Neuqua Valley, a 3-2 winner over Champaign Centennial in Friday’s second quarterfinal.
“This has always been our policy for the past 20 years,” said coach David Bachta. “It’s an hour and 20 minutes, let the kids sleep in their own beds. They’ll be at school at 5:30 a.m. They’ll get enough rest on the bus.
“This isn’t something we surprised them with. Even the parents, there aren’t any e-mails; there aren’t any phone calls. The football team brought a couple buses to support us today. They have a big game tonight. I think it’s important for us to go back and support them tonight.”
dsurico@tribune.com
