Lassak surgery
Goalie comes off bench, stops 2 kicks in shootout as Lockport takes conference title
Senior goalkeeper Jakub Lassak has not played much during his lone varsity season for Lockport, but he stays ready with the knowledge his coaches will turn to him if there is a penalty kick shootout.
When the SouthWest Suburban Blue championship came down to penalty kicks Tuesday night, it was Lassak’s moment.
He made two saves as the Porters won the shootout 4-2 to earn a 2-1 victory over host Bolingbrook and clinch the conference title.
“The coaches putting trust in me gives me confidence,” Lassak said. “I try not to get in my head. I keep my confidence and make sure I get the job done.
“It feels great. I’m feeling a little shaky, still.”
Lassak dove to his left to deny Victor Ramirez Quintero on the opening shot of the shootout to give the Porters (7-1, 4-0) momentum.
“I make sure I don’t doubt myself,” Lassak said. “If I say I’m going to go right, I make sure I go right. That’s what I did and I saved it. I felt the rush and I was like, ‘I’m ready to save another one.’ I got another one.”
In the third round, Lassak knocked Emmanuel Franco’s shot off the right post and out of danger.
Lassak validated Lockport coach Chris Beal’s decision to go with a goalkeeper who had not played all night with the conference title on the line.
“We evaluate kids in practice for PKs, finding the kids that can shoot but also looking at the goalkeepers,” Beal said. “Everyone has a role. (Starter Pat Marshall) is a great all-around goalkeeper, but we’ve seen in shootouts what Lassak can do.
“He can get to those high ones. He’s like a cat. He’s got such good reflexes. I told him to get two saves and we’ll win the game, and that’s what he did.”
Lockport’s first three shooters — Sebastian Molek, Ryan Pavelka
and Gabriel Czako — all converted, setting the stage for junior Dawid Molek to clinch the win in the fourth round.
Dawid Molek hit a line drive inside the right post to start the Porters’ celebration.
He was happy to make his older brother, Sebastian, a conference champion in his senior season.
“I’m glad I could put it away for him,” Dawid said. “I’m glad we could win it for the seniors.”
One of those seniors, Ramon Garcia, put the Porters in front with 6 minutes, 22 seconds left in regulation when he poked home a rebound off Sebastian Molek’s free kick.
It was a long-awaited breakthrough as Lockport attacked relentlessly but had nothing to show for it as Bolingbrook goalkeeper Erick Murillo made 12 saves.
“The goalie caught it but dropped it down, and I just poked it in,” Garcia said. “I put my foot through the goalie’s arm and it went in. It was very frustrating to not score on all those chances, so that goal felt great for us.
“This win meant a lot to us, especially the seniors. We lost to them last year in
regionals and we remembered that, so this win was a must.”
Matt Balas scored for Bolingbrook (5-2-1, 3-1) with 2:02 left to force overtime and set up the wild finish.
“Conference has become everything for this year,” Beal said. “It’s all we’ve had to play for. This is all about the seniors. They’ve put in the work. They’ve shown such leadership.
“It was justified that we won it for them. They were so motivated to get this championship, and they deserved it.”