New Trier turns back Libertyville

It was a true test, one which would measure just how well Libertyville matches up against the state's elite in girls soccer.

The Wildcats gave their best effort against the defending Class 3A champion, New Trier, on Tuesday. Libertyville tried to to stay with the attacking style of the Trevians, and for the most part, the Wildcats played pretty well and gave themselves a clawing chance.

But New Trier, the top seed in the PepsiCo Showdown, was ulimately able to oust unseeded Libertyville in a Round of 16 contest held in Winnetka.

New Trier moves on to play Hersey in the tournament quarterfinals Thursday night.

"We're not that far away from (New Trier)," Libertyville coach Andy Bitta said. "(New Trier) is a great team. I felt we were right there. Obviously, we've got to get better. We proved that we can play with one of the better teams in the state. I'm not upset at all with the loss going against a great team."

The Wildcats (4-1) have come a long way in their own play. But New Trier's defense was up to the challenge; the Trevians (8-0) have allowed just 3 goals all season.

"We have to work more on our offensive runs, and we've got to get the ball in the box sooner," Bitta said. "We wanted to get the ball down the flanks more, from what we scouted about them. We just needed to get more people in the box. We did work on our corner kick plays, and we had a couple of good chances early in the second half and almost scored on one of them."

As for New Trier on the attack, Libertyville's defense was able to handle it for most of the game. Led by Julia Neiweem in the back along with Ali Brucato, Kaitlin Considine and Ellie Daugerdas, Libertyville delivered sound play in front of keeper Laura Janousek (9 saves).

"(New Trier) had a good system of moving the ball around," Neiweem said. "It was hard to tell my players of where to match. So far this has been the biggest and toughest game for us. It worked us hard for awhile, and we were in it. We have to stay tough, be in it together and keep talking."

The Trevians scored in the fifth minute as Kelly Maday found the back off the net after a pass from Katie Sadera. New Trier added another goal in the 49th minute as Bina Saipi made the Wildcats pay after failing to clear after a corner kick.

"(Libertyville) is a strong team, physical team and they definitely brought it," New Trier coach Jim Burnside said. "They're always a good match for us. We haven't played them in a while, but it's always a good battle. I think we're tested in different ways in every single game. This was good physical matchup, and their defenders played hard and made it difficult for us."