The Lake Catholic boys side went on a puzzle-solving expedition Sept. 15 against visiting Andrews Osborne. Not the type of puzzle found in a bargain bin, well-rounded and simple to decipher that serves as an introduction. Rather, this puzzle was a specialty, rew some patience with more jagged edges and pieces to assemble. Once it did come together, these curious Cougars were well on their way to a result. Harley Forkins netted a hat trick, Alex Miljanovic bagged a brace and Lake Catholic found the right combination to this proverbial puzzle, 5-0 over the Phoenix. Lake Catholic junior Marko Viskovic discusses his side's 5-0 win over Andrews Osborne to get to 8-1-1Young man had himself a nice 2-way match at left back, contributing in the attack & on defensive closedowns, before shifting over to center back to close the 80 pic.twitter.com/YuOphEtSXo — Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) September 19, 2024 “Defensively, we just needed to be a little more organized,” Cougars coach Kevin Pitorak said. “It wasn’t too complicated. We just needed to talk a little between our defense and our mids and make sure guys were being marked up. Because it was a little lacking there. They played the ball through, and it was kind of a scattered panic and have someone step out of position to cover it. Once we figured that out and sorted it out a little better, than defensive at least it got cleaned up and organized. “Offensively, yeah, we were moving the ball really well. I was happy with how we came out. Maybe in the offensive and final third, it was just connecting more there. But we did figure it out more eventually. Today, I’m happy with how we played.” Forkins opened his side’s account in the 16th minute, pouncing on chip service and weaving his way into an open-net strike. Lake Catholic 1-0Harley Forkins 16th min pic.twitter.com/MFRs6MmleK — Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) September 19, 2024 It appeared it would remain that way to halftime. But in the waning moments of the opening 40, Forkins drew a foul. With some on-pitch confusion amid a two-official system, though, the standout senior striker didn’t immediately realize his side’s fortune. HT: Lake Catholic 2, Andrews Osborne 0Alex Miljanovic off a quick restart from Harley Forkins with 4 seconds left in the opening 40 pic.twitter.com/fhzLShciYq — Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) September 19, 2024 “FOR us?” Forkins asked the official, drawing the affirmation. He then delivered a quick restart free kick on the ground for Miljanovic, who went side net for a 2-0 advantage. “On my first goal, I saw their center back out of position trying to stop the ball,” Miljanovic said. “I saw a gap through. I took that run, looked for the opportunity and I paid off for it. “Then on the second goal, I had a good run, saw an open goal, sent the defender the other way and scored a nice goal.” The Cougars (8-1-1), ranked No. 1 in The News-Herald boys soccer Top of the Crop, seized firm control approaching the hour mark. Miljanovic got his second of the afternoon and eighth goal of 2024 off Marko Viskovic service in the 54th. Then in the 57th, Lake Catholic had arguably its best combo sequence of the match. Viskovic, who had a fine match at left back before slotting into center back to close the match, played an ambitious first ball for Brandon Rangel. Rangel served back for a charging Forkins, who had a smooth finish to make it 4-0. Forkins completed his hat trick in the 69th for the final margin, getting to 20 goals for his senior campaign with plenty more left of it. It was a puzzle for a while. But it was put together by these curious Cougars, who have some biggies coming up on the docket, including a Sept. 28 trip to Walsh Jesuit. “Yeah, with the way they were playing, they were giving us a lot of time on the ball,” Miljanovic said. “So we really just had the same to sit back and look for the open passes and open spaces and play through them. “A lot of good games over the next week. Can’t wait for them. Can’t wait for the challenge. Can’t wait to see how our team is going to stack up against them.” Coming soon For more from this match, as Pitorak and Miljanovic discuss Lake Catholic’s new defensive-third look and responding to their first defeat of 2024, check back in the coming days on News-Herald.com and in our print edition. The score Lake Catholic 5, Andrews Osborne 0