THE SKINNY: The host Eagles (14-7) scored eight times in the first 21 minutes Tuesday, but likely will move way up in terms of quality of opposition when they face Prairie Ridge in Saturday’s regional final.
THE TURNING POINT: After the 21-minute mark, Lakes played keep-away rather than attempt to reach double digits in goals scored.
THE STAR: Freshman Izzy Quaranta recorded her first varsity hat trick in her first IHSA playoff game. All three goals came in the game’s first four minutes.
BY THE NUMBERS: Junior Nicole D’Ambrose and senior Daniela Richter both scored twice and juniors Allison Vancrey and Caitlin Farrell once. Junior keeper Kara Jones recorded one save. Last year’s loss by Lakes’ girls to Grayslake Central in a regional final broke a streak of four consecutive regional championships for the Eagles girls and nine straight regional championships for head coach Kevin Kullby between the boys and girls squads. Lakes’ roster includes three seniors, 10 juniors, four sophomores, and five freshmen.
QUOTABLE: “We’re going to have our work cut out for us (against Prairie Ridge). We’re going to have to defend extremely well and make the best of our breaks in the run of play. We’ve held up defensively against some similarly quality opponents like Vernon Hills, Stevenson, and Deerfield. If we can perform as we did in those games, we’re going to have a chance.” — Lakes coach Kevin Kullby
QUOTABLE: “I was really excited. It felt great just to get us off to a good start in the playoffs.” Quaranta on her early hat trick.
QUOTABLE: “We have some really talented players and a lot of good upperclassmen. There’s not really a lot of drama like you might find elsewhere.”— D’Ambrose
