Lake Forest Boys' Soccer Claims 1st NSC Title Since 1989

l athletic teams are making a habit of paying back some overdue debts this fall.

The football team knocked off Stevenson, 10-7 on Sept. 30, for the first time since 1997.

And now the Scouts' boys’ soccer team has its first North Suburban Conference title since 1989, edging Lakes, 3-2, Thursday night in Lake Villa.

James Ankenman's goal was the only one scored in the second half, but it was the difference to propel Lake Forest (12-4-1) to one of its biggest regular season wins. Ankenman took a crossing pass from John Moderwell and made it count.

For the final 10 minutes of the game, the Scouts withstood numerous assaults by Lakes. Scouts goalie Sam Audley recorded at least 14 saves and made several diving ones down the stretch.

The two teams played to a 2-2 tie in the first half. Lake Forest struck first when Ian Forlow's free kick was headed in by Kevin Goon. Lakes' Jordan Stanley scored the first of his two first-half goals to knot the game at 1-1.

The Scouts answered when Adam LaVitola fed Peter Passalino for a 2-1 edge, but Stanley scored again on a header just before the end of the half.

Lake Forest qualified for the NSC title game after capturing the Lake Division following two wins last week, knocking off state-ranked Libertyville, 2-1, on Oct. 4, followed by Lake Zurich, 2-0, on Oct. 6.

Lake Forest doesn't have much time to enjoy the win. The Scouts have a makeup game at New Trier at 4:45 p.m. Friday, and then begin State Tournament play at 7 p.m. Oct. 18 against Conant at Fremd High School in Palatine. The winner faces the winner of the Fremd-Wheeling match at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at Fremd.