Lane overwhelms Taft

Lane has long been a Public League power in girls soccer and if Saturday’s Public League quarterfinal playoff is any indication, the Indians aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Lane got off to a quick start, scoring nine goals in the first 26:43 and cruising to an easy 10-0 win over Taft to set up a semifinal matchup against Northside Tuesday afternoon.

Lane, which features just six seniors on its roster, got on the board when freshman Detzi Reveles scored 3:15 into the game.

However, after that goal, it quickly became the Jasmin Carrera show. The senior scored the first of her four first-half goals exactly three minutes after Reveles’.

Natalie Wade, one of seven sophomores on the squad, scored her first goal of the game in the ninth minute and Carrera followed up with her second five minutes later.

“We always want to go in there and score as many goals as we can,” said Wade. “We like to get out to fast starts.”

Carrera completed the hat trick in the 18th minute when she blasted a shot past the Taft goalie, who had come out of the box. Lane (15-4) had an easy time getting to the net, especially on the right side where there were holes the entire first half.

“We have to treat every play as if it is 0-0, even if we just scored,” said Wade, who played goalie the second half. “That way we won’t get overconfident and lose focus.”

Carrera picked up her fourth goal of the game in the 22nd minute and then became more of a distributor. Teaming with sophomore Sofia Pavon, the two continually pushed into the Taft zone, helping halt any pressure the Eagles (4-11-2) would try to put on Lane.

Anastasia Niforos scored a goal one minute after Carrera’s fourth and Pavon added one of her own a minute and a half later.

Wade picked up her second goal in the 27th minute, marking the end of the scoring the first half and giving the Indians a 9-0 lead at halftime.

“As great as our offense is, our defense is always key for us,” said Wade. “We need be able to deny teams any opportunities so we can get our offense started.”

Due to the wide margin, the game was played with a shortened second half. It didn’t matter for Lane, as Pavon scored her second goal.

Link to story: http://bit.ly/119UU8e

Fenwick Whallops Taft

Fenwick steals the show against Taft

Sparked by some pressure defense and easy transition baskets, Fenwick breezed to a comfortable 82-28 win over Taft on Saturday in its second game of the Niles North Thanksgiving Tournament. Continue reading

Foreman wins conference title

Foreman beats Taft, clinches Big Shoulders crown

By MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW                                                                                   10/18/2012

Foreman got all it needed on a quarterback option keeper in the second quarter, as it held on to defeat Taft 7-6 and clinch the Big Shoulders title Thursday at Hanson Stadium.  The conference title marks the first for the Hornets since 2008.

After a sloppy first quarter that saw interceptions on back-to-back plays and a third turnover just two plays later, the Hornets (7-1, 6-0) were able to get momentum off of a recovered Taft fumble. On a third-and-6 play, Foreman quarterback Perrin Groves kept the ball instead of optioning it to his running back and ran 64 yards down the left side to give the Hornets a 7-0 lead at halftime.

“The blocking by the team was really good,’’ Groves said. “They did all the work, I just ran for the score.’’

Midway through the third quarter the Eagles (7-1, 5-1) had first-and-goal from the Foreman 3-yard line, but a sack and two incomplete passes ruined any chance they had to score.

On the next possession for Taft, Javier Chavez’s five-yard run capped a 15-play drive that cut the deficit to 7-6. The Eagles would try a two-point conversion and fail. Chavez finished with 18 carries for 98 yards.

“We played through some adversity with the wind, high snaps, the rain,’’ Foreman coach Peter Grazzini said. “We tried to simulate that in practice but you can never do it like the real thing.’’

Dione Kidd led Foreman with 45 yards rushing on 18 carries.

The conference title clinches a playoff berth for Foreman, its second in a row. Taft now awaits its fate as its playoff bid depends on the Steinmetz result against Amundsen on Friday. If Steinmetz wins and doesn’t allow any points, the Silver Streaks will make the playoffs. A loss or win in which Amundsen scores any points sends Taft back to the state playoffs.

Link to story: http://bit.ly/Q5tZEO

Zahrah celebrates Cinco de Mayo with style

Margaret Zahrah notches a hat trick as Young tops Taft

BY MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW                                                                               May 5, 2012

Young got out fast right out of the gate and didn’t let Taft get any offensive rhythm as it breezed to a 5-1 win in the Public League quarterfinals Saturday afternoon at Lane. Continue reading

Taft wins first conference crown since 2001

Taft beats Foreman to win Red-North

BY MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW                                                                       January 24, 2012

Taft’s first conference championship since 2001 didn’t come easily. Continue reading

Eagles fly past Bulldogs

Taft’s fast start, ‘D’ stymies Senn

BY MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW                                                                        January 10, 2012

For Sun-Times Media

Sometimes a little motivation goes a long way. Taft used that motivation, coupled with a fast start, on its way to a 67-34 Red-North victory over Senn at home on Tuesday afternoon. Continue reading

Young keeps rolling

Young, Von Steuben advance with wins

BY MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW                                                                         October 11, 2011

Once again Young used the arm of Madisen Lenzini and the hands of setter Jenna Jacobson as it continued on its quest for the city championship, this time downing Taft 25-15, 25-18 Tuesday afternoon at Northside. Continue reading

Lane continues softball reign

Lane takes city softball title

BY MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW                                                                    May 20, 2011

When a team has won four consecutive city championships, confidence can be seen when they step onto the softball field. Lane showcased its confidence Friday as it defeated rival Taft 5-0 in the city championship game at UIC. Continue reading

Taft softball pulls upset

Taft advances to city softball finals

BY MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW                                                                             May 19, 2011

Sometimes all it takes to win a big game is a little luck in the right situations. Taft got all the luck they needed in extra innings as it held on for a 9-5 nine-inning win against top-seeded Northside in the first Public League semifinal at UIC. Continue reading