Boys Soccer Team Nets First Conference Win

After getting shut out on Friday, Lemont's boys soccer team went into Saturday's match against Evergreen Park determined to turn things around.

Lemont commanded the game from the opening kickoff, pulling off a 7-0 win, scoring five goals in the first half alone. 

Senior right striker Tony Diorio started the scoring for Lemont in the first minute after breaking clean from defenders on a diagonal run. Junior forward Mike Walus had the assist. It was his Diorio's first goal of the season.

Shortly after Diorio's goal, it was Walus's turn. Walus would score the next two goals, with assists from Diorio and senior midfielder Brandon Sabanov.

Sabanov and sophomore forward Tommy Gasienica would round out first half scoring.

In the second half, Diorio scored his second goal of the day.

"On that second goal, the defender was hard on me," Diorio said. "I was able to break free from him and hit the ball as hard as I could with my right foot. It wound up going off the defender's shin guard and over the keeper's head."

Junior forward Kasparas Jasenauskas closed out the scoring with his first goal of the season. Freshman goalkeeper Andrew Putna faced only two shots on goal in the match.

Diorio said he felt good after the game, and hoped his leadership would carry the team through the remainder of the season.

"It feels good to finally get my first two goals," he said. "I'm a senior this year and I hope to score a few more to help the team make the playoffs."

Lemont coach Rick Prangen said he was particularly happy with the performances turned in Saturday by the team's underclassmen.

"We played a lot of young guys today, and they did well," he said. "I was very proud of our freshmen today."

Prangen added that it was "a great feeling" to score seven goals Saturday morning, coming off Friday's 2-0 loss to Argo.

Despite Saturday's early rain shower, the natural grass field was in perfect condition. The Indians improve their record to 3-3-2 overall and 1-0-2 in South Suburban Conference play.

Lemont next hosts Bremen on Tuesday in what could be a preview of a postseason sectional matchup.