Lions beat Dukes to wrap up perfect WSC Silver slate

By Curt Herron

Winning the championship of what is arguably the state's toughest conference is a big accomplishment for any team.

And that even applies for a squad that is currently top-ranked in Illinois and is also the defending Class 3A state champions.

Lyons Township concluded a perfect West Suburban Conference Silver Division schedule on Tuesday, but not without plenty of resistance from York.

The Lions were already assured of the title when their match kicked off in Elmhurst, thanks to Hinsdale Central's earlier 2-1 win over Downers Grove North.

LT hoped to close out a second-straight 6-0 WSC Silver campaign while improving on its current winning streak, which was at seven heading into Tuesday.

While the Lions (16-1-2, 6-0) enjoyed the better of the play and had more good opportunities, the Dukes (5-7-4, 2-3) kept things interesting until the end.

Elliot Borge collected a pair of first half goals, one at the start of the match and the other shortly before the break, to account for LT's two scores.

Stopping all but one shot that came his was senior keeper Jeremiah Enright, who continues to perform well after geting called up from the junior-varsity.

LT closes out the regular season with a match today against Lockport at Bennett Field and a has a contest with Benet Academy on Saturday at West Field.

Then its on to next week's St. Ignatius Regional, where the Lions hope to begin another successful postseason run.

Click to hear coach Paul Labbato interview

The Lions capitalized on the first break that came their way, which happened less than five minutes into the match.

With 4:35 gone, Peter Kralovec-Kirchherr sent a throw-in toward the front of the net and the ball deflected off of a Duke defender.

Borge happened to be positioned right where the rebound fell and he put in a short attempt to give the Lions the earlty advantage.

LT kept up the pressure right after that, beginning with a Kralovec-Kirchherr's header following a corner kick from Kyle Kurfirst.

There was another flurry of activity prior to the midway point of the opening half, with the Dukes just missing out on a score.

York's first good opportunity of the match nearly resulted in a goal, but Nico Lappo's line drive instead deflected off of the post.

The Lions countered with a grounder from Kurfirst that went to keeper Carmine Sementa and then a liner over the net from Pete Gabrek.

Click to hear Kyle Kurfirst interview

With just over 10 minutes left before the break, Kurfirst tried to score on a header from close range but York's keeper broke up the play.

A bit later, York's David Selvaggi sent a long free kick to Enright and Borge was wide on a header following a free kick from Matt Thomas.

The Dukes got their goal with 2:13 left in the first half when David Akre sent a pass toward Maurice Watkins, who put in short attempt.

But the tie didn't last for long as LT moved back in front for good just over a minute later following Borge's second goal.

Kurfirst sent a corner kick to the top of the box toward Borge, who was eventually tripped up as he tried to get off a shot.

The LT junior connected on the subsequent penalty kick to give his team a 2-1 lead with 1:10 remaining in the opening half.

Click to hear Alex Economou interview

York applied plenty of pressure on the new LT keeper as the second half began, with Watkins getting off a pair of threatening shots.

The Lions countered a few minutes later with a wide header from Kralovec-Kirchherr and a try from Horacio Sanchez that was deflected.

With just under 26 minutes remaining, Enright had to make a jumping save to haul in another dangerous long free kick from Selvaggi.

About three minutes after that, Borge sent a free kick toward the net and Jack Thomas got off a close shot but it went over the net.

LT had several more chances as the match entered its final stages, beginning with a liner from Brett Heimerdinger that was denied.

Then Gabrek was wide on a header off a throw-in from Kralovec-Kirchherr, who had a header deflected following a Borge corner kick.

Enright was busy during the final eight minutes of the match, which began when he forced Selvaggi to send a shot try over the net.

The Lions nearly scored a short time later when Taylor Halamka was just high on a header that was set up by a cross from Borge.

Selvaggi sent in an attempt from the side and lined in a corner kick during the final minutes, but the LT keeper stopped both tries.

Click to hear Jeremiah Enright interview