North Lacrosse Headed For State Champion Match

Look out Waubonsee Valley or O'Fallon. The team standing between those clubs and a Class B State Championship is on quite a roll. That team is Grayslake North.

On Thursday night at home, the Knights notched their school record 16th win of the season and in the process ended Lake Zurich's season. It wasn't even close as the Knights prevailed 15-6.

"If we continue to play relentless lacrosse, we should be able to play with anyone,'' said Brad Fish, North's head coach. "The Lake Zurich coaching staff has done a fantastic job with that group of athletes, and for us to play as well as we have says quite a lot."

In the last six matches, the Knights have outscored opponents 82-25. Thursday's match was no exception. The Bears of Lake Zurich had problems staying with First Team All-State player A.J. Fish. All he did was score five goals and add three assists. Also helping out this night were Joey Amsler with three goals and Matt Schlagetter with two goals and three assists.

"’Win the cup’ has been the rallying cry for this group all year, and now we are one game away,'' coach Fish said.

Fish had plenty of help on defense from Ben Smith, Bryce Hermsen, Kevin Carter and Shane Pech. Patrick Walker stood out in goal.  Captains Rich Downes and Josh Kortenkamp controlled North's midfield. Also helping were Josh Cokefair, BrendanWalker, Zack Johnson, Dave Collins and Farhan Khan.

Next stop for this winning team is Oak Park on Saturday. That when the Knights take the field in quest of a state championship.

Recap: Tuesday's win came over Geneva. Schlagetter and Fish each scored four times in a 16-9 win. Khan and Colin Chatten both scored three goals. Schlagetter, Fish, Brendan Walker and Chris Lizotte all had two assists.

On Friday, Fish had five goals and four assists in a 17-3 hammering of Chief's Lacrosse. Schlagetter had six assists in this romp. Chatten had a big day scoring as well with six goals. Patrick Walker made 10 saves in goal.