Boys soccer: Libertyville's Wittenbrink adds leadership to growing skill set

It was a year ago when Ryan Wittenbrink emerged during the Class 3A state tournament in helping lead Libertyville to its first boys soccer state championship.

Then just a sophomore on a team full of talented seniors, he showed a knack for scoring timely goals.

Wittenbrink took on a bigger role this season and while he continued to put balls in the back of the net, he also became a leader on a young squad.

"Ryan learned and gained so much experience by playing with last year's team," Wildcats coach Andy Bitta said. "That has helped him become the player he is today. Last year he wasn't the player that the other team had to game-plan for because we had Nathan Edmunds, Kevin Reilly and Liam O`Connell on that team."

As Libertyville's marked player this season, Wittenbrink never let it affect him, while leading Libertyville to the North Suburban Conference title and a sectional berth. His work rate and play earned him recognition as captain of the Daily Herald's Lake County all-area team. He was also named all-state.

His teammates named him a team captain.

"As a junior, Ryan physically matured," Bitta said. "He was a stronger player with the ball and that made him much more dangerous around the box. He's always looking for his teammates."

Wittenbrink played up top for a number of games but moved back into an attacking-midfielder role during the season to help the team. He finished with 19 goals and 12 assists.

"I thought the season went well for us," Wittenbrink said. "We had a different team from last year's championship team. We played a different style, and we were pretty good. One of the toughest things for me was having guys key on me. I had to facilitate the ball."

It was a role he embraced.

"I just want to be always moving," Wittenbrink said. "I don't want to get bored on the field."

He hasn't been bored with soccer since he started playing at age 5. His speed helps him create chances for his teammates and himself.

"It's really disgusting to watch," Libertyville senior defender Ryan Gibbs joked. "Every time he has the ball, he makes something happen. He's an offensive catalyst. Teams try to tie him up, but he has a way of distributing the ball."

"He's incredible to play with," sophomore midfielder Evan Rasmussen said. "It's amazing what he can do with the ball at his feet and what he can do with it."

Count sophomore midfielder Grant Herbek as another teammate who marvels at Wittenbrink's skills.

"His presence on the field is so big," Herbek said. "Most plays he finishes. He's not the biggest player but somehow he makes the plays happen. Some of the things he does with a ball are unbelievable."

It was an unbelievable season for Wittenbrink.