Senior midfielder Jacqueline Aleman has blossomed from being a role player into one of Lemont’s top playmakers this season.
“My sophomore year, I took a break from travel soccer,” Aleman said. “I went back to it junior year, playing all year, and that really helped me develop my skills. I’m a lot more confident on the ball now.”
Aleman, a Wisconsin Stevens Point recruit, scored a goal and helped set up another Saturday as the host Indians topped Downers Grove North 3-2.
“Jacqueline has had a fantastic season,” Lemont coach Rick Prangen said. “I don’t know if there’s an outside midfielder I’ve seen who’s had a better season. She’s been spot on all year and she’s been our most consistent player.”
In a battle of two teams that both finished fourth in the state last season — Lemont in Class 2A and Downers Grove North in 3A — Aleman struck first for the Indians (18-1).
In the fourth minute, she gathered a pass from Lily Hinkle and took a quick shot from 30 yards, burying it under the crossbar.
“We always talk during our little get-together before the game about making that first impression and setting the tone for the game,” Aleman said. “It was big to get that quick goal.”
The Trojans (8-6-4), coached by legendary longtime Southland coach Brian Papa, tied it on Abby Swanson’s free kick in the 29th minute. Lemont, however, grabbed control with a pair of goals in the first 10 minutes of the second half.
Sarah Knoepfle volleyed in Mairead Ruane’s free kick to put the Indians on top with 36:59 to go.
Aleman then beat two defenders down the left sideline, leading to a handball call in the box. Ruane converted the ensuing penalty kick to make it 3-1 with 31:55 left.
Ruane said she’s become accustomed to Aleman setting her up to score.
“We always look to get Jacqueline the ball,” Ruane said. “She’s always busting her butt, getting the ball down the sidelines, getting us corner kicks and just giving us chances to get goals.”
Swanson scored on a penalty kick after Lemont also was called for a handball in the box to make it 3-2 with 13:21 left, but the Indians held on.
Michelle Jerantowski made six saves for Lemont. Ruane, typically an attacking midfielder or forward, played central defender in place of Katrina Retzke, who was attending the mathletes state competition.
“Mairead did a great job,” Prangen said. “She’s never really played there. We just threw her back there, and she did awesome. That might be an option for us in the playoffs.”
Ruane said the victory will help boost the Indians’ confidence with the postseason coming up.
“This was amazing,” she said. “Playing against a good side like this, and getting a big test helps us physically and mentally. It gives us a big lift for the playoffs.”
Baseball
Andrew 15, Chicago Christian 3: Mike McGrail had a home run and four RBIs for Andrew (19-4).
Brother Rice 3, St. Laurence 2: Mike Bolton and Dillan Fike had RBIs for Brother Rice (20-7, 9-2 Catholic Blue).
Joliet Catholic 3-3, Carmel 0-2: Greg Ziegler’s eighth-inning RBI single enabled JCA (22-3, 12-0 ESCC) to complete the sweep.
Lincoln-Way East 10, Richards 3: Ryan Ritter had a homer and two RBIs for East (20-4).
Marist 3-13, St. Patrick 1-4: Justin Janas had four RBIs in Game 2 for Marist (20-6, 10-4 ESCC).
Mount Carmel 12, Marmion 4: Joshua Houston contributed a home run and four RBIs for Mount Carmel (17-8, 6-5 Catholic Blue).
Softball
Joliet Catholic 5-6, Marian Central 1-1: Jen Krizka’s homer and thee RBIs paced JCA (16-6, 7-2 ESCC) in Game 1.
Lincoln-Way Central 7, Downers Grove North 2: Ashley Platek pitched a three-hitter and also had two RBIs for Central (20-2).
Lincoln-Way East 10, Riverside-Brookfield 0: Taylor Hochman had a grand slam and six RBIs for East (16-1).
Lincoln-Way West 13, Lemont 8: Dani Callahan homered and drove in four runs for West (13-10).
Lockport 6, Bloomington Central Catholic 1: Erin Kleffman scattered six hits for Lockport (22-4) at Rantoul.
Lockport 4, Rantoul 2: Taylor Shingler had two RBIs for Lockport in its first game.
Marengo Tournament: Kaitlin Tholl hit four homers, including a grand slam, and totaled 13 RBIs for Andrew (10-9), which went 1-2 on the day.
Marian Catholic 10-14, St. Viator 4-5: Christina Lorenzatti went 6-for-9 with four doubles, four runs and six RBIs for Marian (9-17, 4-5 ESCC).
Marist 8, Plainfield North 7: Lexi Voss had a homer and five RBIs for Marist (23-1).
Shepard 14, Mother McAuley 3: Bridget McDermott’s five RBIs boosted Shepard (15-3).
College Baseball
St. Francis 4, Olivet Nazarene 1: Kevin Mampe (6-4) pitched a six-hitter for St. Francis (27-26) in the CCAC Tournament at Judson.
College Softball
St. Francis 7-2, St. Xavier 2-1: Anna Wetherell hit a two-run single in Game 2 and Morghan Dieringer notched the save for champion St. Francis (38-7) in the CCAC Tournament at The Ballpark at Rosemont.
St. Francis 5, Trinity International 2: Kayla Garcia’s three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh put St. Francis in the CCAC championship series.
Friday’s Results
Baseball
Lincoln-Way Central 1, Lincoln-Way East 0: Joey Dermody’s RBI double in the top of the seventh propelled Central (15-9).
Marist 10, Brother Rice 5: Justin Janas had five RBIs for Marist (17-6).
Stagg 10, Shepard 4: Danny Russo had three homers and six RBIs for Stagg (14-7-1).
T.F. South 10, Crete-Monee 8: C .J. Dearman contributed four RBIs for South (17-8).
Softball
Lincoln-Way Central 17, Mother McAuley 3: Ashley Platek and Sydra Seville each had four RBIs for Central (19-2).
Marist 16-17, Benet 0-0: Lexi Voss went 8-for-8 with two homers, including a grand slam, six runs and 13 RBIs for Marist (22-1, 10-0 ESCC).
Providence 1, Marian Catholic 0: Shannon Smith’s RBI single lifted Providence (17-6).
College Baseball
St. Xavier 6, Roosevelt 1: Cameron Powell’s homer and three RBIs led St. Xavier (23-27) in the CCAC Tournament.
Trinity Christian 5, St. Francis 4: Luke Weston hit two homers and Jake Tholl added an RBI single in the 10th inning to pace Trinity Christian (31-21) in the CCAC Tournament.
College Softball
St. Francis 1, Olivet Nazarene 0: Morghan Dieringer (21-2) pitched a five-hitter and Hailey Lenth hit an RBI single to lead St. Francis (35-7) in the CCAC Tournament.
St. Xavier 7, Trinity International 4: Taylor Sterkowitz went 3-for-4 with a run and two RBI for St. Xavier (27-13) in the CCAC semifinals.
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown. Freelance reporter Josh Krockey contributed.
