#7 - Boys Swimming Wins City - 6th time in last 7 years
1943 Lane Tech Boys Swimming State Championship team
Lane Tech has as many state championships in boys swimming (8) then all the other sports teams combined. That is a fact that not too many people know. So Boys Swimming IS Lane Tech's most successful sport in it's history as far as winning state championships. While the boys swimming team no longer dominates against state competition as it once did, there is no question that it rules the city. In 2008, Lane Tech captured its 6th city championship in 7 years when it won with 384 points to Whitney Young's 355 points.
#6 Boys Soccer Team Knocks Out Kelly to Win City Championship
Greg Gaczol (left) and Humberto Pina display the city championship plaque
There can be a strong argument that after basketball boys soccer is the most competitive Public League sport. That is why Lane Tech's city championship in boys soccer in 2008 deserves to be high on the list. Lane Tech defeated soccer power Kelly in penalty kicks for the victory.
There are strong signs that Lane Tech is becoming a serious city soccer program versus the soccer rich Public League. Lane Tech has appeared in three of the last 4 city championships, after appearing in only one city championship the past 27 years prior to 2005. Furthermore, Lane has won the frosh-soph city championship the past two years.
See the video below for a clip of the winning penalty kicks in the city championship:
A Taft player goes airborne against Lane's Gustavo Guzman.
After advancing to the state super sectionals (a game away from state) last year, Lane hoped to make some noise in the state playoffs. Instead, Lane left with a whisper and Taft left with the noise as Taft crushed Lane 3-0 in the first round of the state playoffs.
Taft got some redemption after Taft's heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Lane in last week's city semi-finals.
Taft scored with 15 minutes left in the first half. It all started on a goal kick by Lane. Lane booted it near mid field. But after 3 precise passes; #10 Altjas from Taft found the back of the net to give Taft a 1-0 lead.
Lane had a couple scoring opportunities early in the second half. One of them, a shot by forward Henry Gomez hit the goal post. After that, it was all Taft. Taft scored it's second goal on an errant pass by a Lane defender.
Lane's soccer season ends in the first round of the state playoffs. Lane had been undefeated - until tonight - against Public League opponents - and won the city championship last Friday over Kelly.
Congratulations by a fine season by Lane Tech and good luck to Taft this Saturday against #1 state ranked New Trier.
Lane and Taft players battle for position on a corner kick.
The scene at New Trier high school as the players warm up. I counted at least 6 soccer fields at New Trier - no wonder New Trier is ranked #1 in the state.
Taft continues it's season against #1 state ranked New Trier this Saturday.
On October 21, 2008 Lane Tech played Taft in a boys varsity state playoff first round soccer game at New Trier. Below is some actual game footage to end the first half. Taft won 3-0.
Lane players celebrate with their fans in the stands.
Greg Gaczol (left- goal keeper) and Humberto Pina (sr -all-city) shows off the championship plaque.
On October 17, 2008 Lane and Kelly played together for the boys varsity city championship. Lane had to hold off a Kelly team that had several scoring opportunities fail to find the net during regualtion and overtime. Lane Tech and Kelly went into Penalty Kicks tied 0-0 after regulation and two overtime periods. Lane came away with the victory (see the video below).
Curie will count on the play making ability of WR Sam Altman (Tribune photo)
Peak performance near the end of the season. That is the
goal of every team and every athlete. This weekend several sports will have
their season defined and remembered by these upcoming games. Lane Tech’s Boys
varsity soccer team will play Kelly in the city championship this Friday. Lane
Tech’s football team will play Curie this Friday night for the conference
championship. The boys and girls city cross country championship is this Saturday.
The Lane Tech girls double team will try to make it downstate as they compete
in the state sectionals. The boys 16-inch softball team and girls volleyball
team also play in the city playoffs.
Below is a quick preview of some of these games that will
help determine WHO IS THE CHAMPION!!
Senior lineman Anthony Jantke (left) of Lane Tech will try to help Lane reclaim the conference title in which they have held for at least 8 of the last 10 years.
Football – Lane Tech
vs Curie for the Conference Championship
When and Where: Friday,
October 17, 7:00pm at Lane Stadium
After a season opening loss to Fenwick, Lane has played
undefeated ball and is on a complete roll. The Indians breezed through
conference play and now have only Curie to beat before they can re-claim the
conference crown. Lane finished an uncharacteristic third last year after
losing to Curie and Whitney Young in conference play. Look for a balanced
offensive attack from Lane. Quarterback Luis
Negron will complete enough passes to supplement the Lane running attack
led by junior running back Thaddeus Scott and sophomore running back Fredrick
Williams. Meanwhile, Curie has been on a roll as well. After starting the
season with losses to Mt.Carmel and Stagg
Curie has rolled off several victories in a row and is undefeated in conference
play. Look for senior quarterback Andy Chemelia throwing to his favorite target
Sam Altman, a big athletic wide receiver.
LaneTechFan’s pick
– Lane Tech 24 Curie 22
Jonathon Fuentes (left #10) leads a dangerous Kelly team that has aspirations to advance far in the state playoffs. First course of business...take care of Lane Tech for the city championship.
Boys Soccer – Lane
Tech vs Kelly in the city championship
When and Where – Friday,
October 17, 7:00pm at North Park College
Having finished 1-2 in the Premier Conference of the Public
League, Kelly and Lane came into the city playoffs as the favorites to meet in the
city championship. The two favorites survived the playoffs and the dream match
up is here. Lane and Kelly tied each other 1-1 in Lane’s first game of the
season. But Lane is looking for some redemption from last year after Kelly
ousted Lane 3-0 in last years first round of the city playoffs.
Kelly looked very strong after their 4-0 dismantling of Whitney
Young in the semi-finals. Kelly plays a ball control style of soccer led by
probably the city’s best player Jonathon Fuentes, a senior mid-fielder. Fuentes
has complete control and mastery of the ball every time he touches it and delivers
precision passes.
Meanwhile Lane has a few playmakers of it’s own. Coach
Andrew Ricks feels that mid-fielder Emanuel Guzman is a star in the making and
may be even better than Fuentes, but Fuentes get’s the respect because Fuentes
is a senior whereas Guzman is a sophomore. Guzman delivered the game winning
assist to senior forward Henry Gomez in Lane’s slim 1-0 victory over Taft in
the semi-finals.
The key for Lane may be the continued good play of some of
it’s young player who get extensive playing time including sophomore forward Dylan Allingham, sophomore forward Kristian Dus, and junior mid-fielder Charlie Drane.
LaneTechFan’s pick – Kelly
2 Lane 1
Kristian Dus is one of several sophomores that may play a role for Lane Tech.
Juan Miguel Arenas (sr) (left) of Lane Tech battles for possession against Taft.
Taft came into their semi-final boys varsity soccer game as quite of an enigma. They did come in with a very impressive undefeated record. Normally, when a team goes into the playoffs, it more than justifies the strength of the team. However, in the case of Taft, their undefeated record was questioned because they played in a weaker Public League conference and thus avoided playing traditional city powers like Kelly, Lane, and Juarez. Even their non-conference strength of schedule was a bit suspect - with their biggest non-conference opponent being South Elgin in the far northwest suburbs of Chicago.
However, soon into the semi-final game against Lane, Lane found out how tough Taft really was. Taft controlled the first half. Taft held possession of the ball for a great majority of the time, kept the ball on the Lane side of the field, and had several great goal scoring opportunities while holding Lane's offensive attack to only a few easily saved shots. You can't ask for a much better first half for Taft - except for one thing. The score. Despite all of their scoring opportunities Taft could not put the ball in the back of the net. That gave Lane a much needed break. Early in the second half, Lane was able to score a goal when senior forward Henry forward scored from an assist from all-city sophomore midfielder Emanuel Guzman. The early second half goal must have put an energizing effect on Lane, as Lane played the second half wiht much more energy and held the Taft attack to post a close 1-0 shutout.
This was just one of those games where I felt that the losing team (Taft) actually outplayed the winning team (Lane). Taft will get a rematch against Lane when those two square off in the first round of the state playoffs next Tuesday, October 21st at New Trier.
Meanwhile, Lane will play defending city champ Kelly, who won the first semi-final game of the day rather handily over Whitney Young 4-0. Kelly and Lane played to a 1-1 tie very early in the season and finished the Premier conference tied with Lane but Kelly won conference due to goal differential.
Kelly and Lane meet this Friday, 7:00pm for the city championship.
Humberto Pina tries to take the ball from a Taft player.
Henry Gomez (sr - forward) tries to poke the ball past the Lakeview goal keeper. Gomez scored a goal in the 3-1 victory.
Lane Tech erupted with 3 first half goals and held on to win versus Lakeview in the Sweet 16 of the Chicago Public League playoffs. Lane senior Humberto Pina scored two goals while Lane senior Henry Gomez scored another one. Lakeview played most of the second half on the offensive as they pushed most of their players offensively. The strategy worked as they got a second half goal and also had a couple missed shots in which Lane goal keeper Greg Gaczol had to save.
Lane plays the winner of Prosser this Saturday at Marquette Park in the Public League Quarterfinals.
Rafael Kostecki (Left) and Geovany Avila go airborne against Lakeview
Renzo Ayala (jr midfielder) tries to go against the Lakeview wall.
Lane Tech's Charlie Drane tries to control the ball.
Lane Tech boys soccer team is seeded 8th in the upcoming state playoffs.
Skokie (Niles North) Sectional
1. Winnetka (New Trier) 2. Wilmette (Loyola Academy) 3. Park Ridge (Maine South) 4. Skokie (Niles North) 5. Skokie (Niles West) 6. Park Ridge (Maine East) 7. Des Plaines (Maine West) [b]8. Chicago (Lane)[/b] 9. Evanston (Twp.) 10. Chicago (Taft) 11. Chicago (Mather) 12. Chicago (Schurz) 13. Chicago (Foreman) 14. Chicago (Von Steuben) 15. Niles (Notre Dame) 16. Chicago (St. Patrick) 17. Chicago (Prosser) 18. Chicago (Steinmetz) 19. Chicago (Northside)
With such a low seed, expect Lane to face a powerhouse early in the playoffs. Expect a match up versus a New Trier or Loyola in the regional finals.
The dark horse in this sectional is undefeated Taft. Taft is a surprising 12-0-1 as they enter the CPS playoffs. Other CPS powers Lakeview and Juarez are in 2A this year. Lakeview is seeded #1 in their 2A regional; Juarez is seeded 3rd.
Look out for an exciting city playoffs this week. Lane Tech, Kelly, Lakeview, Taft, and Juarez are among the favorites this year.
Lane will play Oak Park River Forest (OPRF) today (tue sep 9) at 5pm at Lane in the Pepsi Showdown, the midwest's largest boys soccer tournament. This is a first round match pitting 2008 supersectionalist Lane Tech and OPRF. OPRF advanced to the regional finals in last year's playoffs and is always a solid soccer team.
This will be an excellent test for both team. Lane has shown they can compete with good suburban and private soccer teams with victories the last years against Oswego, Andrew and ties against Mt. Carmel and Fenwick.
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