Boys soccer: Libertyville wins Class 3A championship

Ryan Wittenbrink had the kind of boys soccer state championship game that will go down as the finest in Libertyville's history.

And he had quite a sidekick in Liam O'Connell, who assisted on both of Wittenbrink's goals Saturday night at Hoffman Estates, where the Wildcats ended up celebrating the program's first state title after a 2-1 decision against Quincy.

Wittenbrink, a sophomore, tied a record with 3 goals in two final four games. For Hall of Fame coach Andy Bitta, it was a long time coming. He's been in the game 31 years with the Wildcats' boys program.

"It's fantastic and I've been waiting to do it," Bitta said. "We finally got it. It's the best feeling you can have as a coach, and the kids I have are even better.

"This team brought it together and peaked at the right time."

Bitta led Libertyville's first girls soccer title in 1991, and Scott Schinto directed another girls championship in 2001. The Wildcats football team also won a state title, in 2004.

Libertyville (19-3-1) beat an impressive Morton (27-3) team in the semifinal on Friday 2-1, which left some concerns going into the title game.

"We had a great game against (Morton)," Bitta said. "I thought we played even better, playing (Quincy). I warned them about a letdown and there was no letdown. They just played fantastic."

After the game, while the team was lifting the trophy, the Wildcats were chanting for Bitta to come over and raise the trophy. He did so, sporting a wide, winning grin.

"They give me so much respect and they're so good to me," Bitta said of his players. "I love them to death and they're like 25 surrogate sons I've got on the team."

Wittenbrink started the scoring with a dazzling header in the 19th minute. He hit the head ball away from the Blue Devils keeper Eric Lubbert (10 saves); the ball took a wicked bounce off the turf and went inside the far post. O'Connell sent the service from in front of the goal in the 19th minute.

"It's unbelievable to see this happen," Wittenbrink said. "I'm always expecting to get great balls from Liam, and he is the best passer I've ever played with. He looks for me a lot, and I got a good run in there. It was a little awkward the way I finished it, but I got my head on it. I tried my best to get it in there."

The same combination worked again in the second half. O'Connell sent a through ball that beat two defenders, and right there was Wittenbrink on the run. He calmly put it past Lubbert for a 2-0 lead in the 54th minute.

It was O'Connell's 22nd assist of the season.

Quincy (20-5-2) tried to make a comeback late, as Dalton Gilbert scored a goal in the 79th minute.

But there was no stopping this group from Libertyville.

"I'm very unselfish and I put my team first, to get goals," O'Connell said. "When I picked my head up, right away I saw (Wittenbrink) point and played the ball right to him. It was a perfect goal."

And a perfect Wildcats finish.

Images: IHSA Class 3A boys soccer finals