Boys soccer: Libertyville, Waukegan share NSC title
A much-anticipated match between the top two soccer teams in Lake County didn't disappoint.
Libertyville and Waukegan played to a 1-1 draw Thursday in Waukegan, meaning they also settled for a share of the North Suburban Conference championship. They could meet again in the Fremd sectional final in about three weeks. Libertyville and Waukegan are seeded first and second, respectively.
Libertyville (11-0-2, 6-0-1) won the NSC title outright the last two years.
"We knew coming in it would be tough and we knew the crowd was going to be crazy," Libertyville coach Kevin Thunholm said. "We knew (Waukegan) would be physical, and we're physical. I would rather play them on a turf field. I thought this (grass) field was short, and we like to possess the ball. I really don't think this was a true soccer game. I thought it was kickball.
"Toward the end, I thought it was more possession for us. But overall, it was two competitive teams, two well-coached teams. Hopefully, we see this team down the road. If they're there, then we're there, and hopefully we are."
Waukegan (13-2-2, 6-0-1) moved into the NSC last year and have been a formidable opponent.
"I think what we established is a good framework for what we need to improve on for the playoffs," Waukegan coach Peter Valdez said. "I'm happy that we get a share of the conference championship. We had hustle, heart and intelligence. We demonstrated the ability to adjust to situations and circumstances. I tip my hat to (Libertyville), a great team. We look forward to playing them in the playoffs."
The Bulldogs opened the scoring in the 12th minute, taking advantage of Libertyville miscommunication off a corner kick near the back post. Waukegan's Jonathan Medin hit a loose ball into the back of the net.
The Wildcats thought they tied the game in the final minute of the opening half. Off a free kick, they had a second touch that went into the goal, but it was called off for contact with Waukegan goalkeeper Adrian Fernandez.
Three minutes into the second half, Waukegan lost a player to a second yellow card and had to play the rest of the match down a man.
Libertyville tried taking advantage and applied pressure up top on numerous occasions. Greg Krikorian kicked a shot on frame in the 57th minute, but backup Bulldogs keeper Marcos Garibay punched the ball over the crossbar.
Off the corner kick, 30 seconds later, Krikorian had another opportunity. He placed the ball into the top corner after taking a pass from Parker Jachim, tying the score at 1-1.
"The ball bounced and Parker was able to get the ball to me," said Krikorian, who netted his fifth goal this season. "Once we had that final (shot), everyone settled down and we were able to play our game. I wanted to place the ball to the top left corner and it was a little bit left of center."
A couple minutes later, Ryan Wittenbrink was tripped up in the penalty area. Wittenbrink, who leads the area with 23 goals, attempted a penalty kick. But Garibay made the save to his right.
There was another great opportunity for the Wildcats in the final 10 minutes. Wittenbrink tried to finish a ball near the back post, but the Bulldogs' Angel Saenz used his speed to get a foot on the ball and send it over the end line.
"I thought we had the pressure going forward," Thunholm said. "We knew exactly what we had to do. Obviously, being a man up helps. For us, we really didn't notice. We had one thing in mind - to put the ball into the back of the net. Unfortunately, we didn't produce and their goalie made some phenomenal saves. He played with a lot of courage and a lot of heart. Things just didn't work our way."