Boys soccer: Libertyville prevails after tense test with Deerfield

Libertyville's boys soccer team marched into the supersectional round of the Class 3A state tournament by topping Deerfield 1-0 on Saturday afternoon in the Stevenson sectional final.

Next up for the Wildcats (16-3-1) will be Evanston (21-1-3). The teams will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Barrington. Evanston advanced by topping Leyden 3-1 in a sectional final at Glenbrook North.

"These games at this time of the year are just like today," said relieved Libertyville coach Andy Bitta, who still can remember how his 2010 club navigated its way into the state finals on the way to a runner-up finish. "We won the first four games of the postseason by 1 goal before beating Maine West 4-1 in the supers to get to state. So when you get this far and you're playing a talented team like Deerfield, you've got to expect a nervous 80 minutes."

The best from the eventual sectional champs came during the opening period, and in particular, the first half-hour.

Liam O'Connell, Tucker Goebeler, Nate Edmunds, Kevin Reilly and company were aggressive from the start in hopes of scoring against a Warriors team which had conceded just 2 goals in its last five matches.

"We were in trouble in that first 15-20 minutes minutes," said Deerfield coach Elliott Hurtig, "but once we settled in, we began to play some very good soccer. Just before their goal and right up until the end, I thought we had the run of play, created some chances but just couldn't put one in to equalize."

The nasty winds and blowing rain which greeted both clubs failed to slow a rampant Wildcats attack, which enjoyed plenty of quality of play.

"We possessed the ball and got everyone involved in that first half, but we got away from it after the break," said Goebeler, who despite being stationed just in front of the Wildcats' back line was active in the attack.

"We told the guys at the break that we played very well into the wind, and to keep up the play, and try to get one in on them because their No. 10 (Nick Klabjan) was so dangerous with the ball," said Bitta. "If we could get one into the back of the net, regardless of how much pressure Deerfield would bring, I would put my back line against anyone's best to help us manage a lead."

Bitta and his staff did indeed need to lean on that back four, perhaps more than he would have liked after O'Connell's well struck blast - which seemed to pick up some speed from an blast off the wet turf - handcuffed Warriors keeper Leo Kolodkin for the lone goal of the match.

"I'll call it a fluke goal, and an unfortunate one for Leo, because he's been so good for us throughout the playoffs," Hurtig said.

Deerfield (17-5-2) brough plenty of pressure in its quest to get even, throwing extra numbers forward and playing more directly.

Klabjan went just wide with a close-range attempt, and his teammates sent three long-range serves on frame in the final minutes of regulation. But Wildcats keeper Brant Kym, along with a sturdy unit along the back of David Marks, Jack Rasmussen and Michael Quigley, absorbed all of the pressure.

"We didn't get much going after my goal," said O'Connell. "A lot of that had to do with the direct play of Deerfield and how they came at us. But we got out of here and the terrible playing conditions with a win, and that's all that mattered."

Deerfield bows out of the postseason with a record of 17-5-2.

"I am heartbroken, and at the same time, very proud of the boys and the effort - not only today, but the entire season," said Hurtig.