Sports

Gunkel Scores Lone Goal as L-Way North Clips Lemont

Putnam's strong play in net keeps Indians within striking distance throughout non-conference soccer battle.

One was the magic number for Lincoln-Way North.

Mitch Gunkel scored the lone goal in the 15th minute of the Phoenix's 1-0 boys soccer victory over Lemont on Monday night.

Gunkel connected on a shot from behind the net. After leaving his toe, the ball kicked off the left post and over Lemont keeper Andrew Putnam's head.

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The Indians held strong, though, thanks in no small part to the play of Putnam and the defenders working just in front of him. Putnam & company stopped three shots that came in rapid-fire succession late in the first half to prevent Lincoln-Way North from extending its lead.

One shot was stopped by Lemont defender Nick Diedt. Another took a fortunate Indians' bounce off the crossbar. Putnam stopped an additional 10 shots on goal in the second half.

Find out what's happening in Lemontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Lincoln-Way North was almost constantly on the attack, but Lemont had four strong charges on the net, too, just missing on all four opportunities to knot the score at 1-1.

"We had some quality chances in the first half, but in the second half we were either very good or very bad," Lemont coach Rick Prangen said. "We had guys taking plays off and three guys would sit back and all of the sudden (North) would have a 20-yard gap. We need to work on our consistency and give up less time and space on the ball."

"Lemont is a great squad," Lincoln-Way North coach Mike Murphy said. "(Putnam) did a great job stopping those shots in that series at the end of the first half.

"They are well coached, and (Mike Walus) is a great player. That being said, we were the better team today. We came out attacking, and I tell the guys that it's not an individual that stands out and every game is a group effort."

Lemont (6-4-2) next takes on Richards on Tuesday. Lincoln-Way North (9-3) opens conference play at Joliet West on Thursday.


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