Stone rocks for Wildcats

Andrew Stone was a rock for Libertyville's soccer team Monday.

Stone had the tough task of sticking with Carmel's Edwin Lagunas, who's one of the best forwards in the area.

Stone marked Lagunas all game and the Wildcats' 5-foot-5 junior was a big reason why Libertyville was able to pull out a 1-0 win its season opener at the Libertyville Township Soccer Complex.

Nathan Moderwell knocked in the game-winning goal.

"I'm supposed to mark up the other team's best player," Stone said. "(Lagunas) is a good player and hard to defend."

Stone used his face to stop one Lagunas blast and later used his forehead to clear a ball in front of the Wildcats' goal.

"That was my call," Libertyville coach Andy Bitta said of his decision to put Stone on Lagunas. "Stone is a strong, aggressive, little player.

"In practice, you watch who's really tough. Stone is the one."

Libertyville scored its goal in the 78th minute, when the senior Moderwell knocked in a header off a Brad Novak cross.

"I was unmarked and made the run (to the back post)," Moderwell said. "I just wanted to put the ball down and on the net."

Wildcats senior keeper Jim Palac earned the shutout, making 2 saves. Carmel goalie Joe Ferrari stopped five shots.

"It surprised me with the way we played," Bitta said. "The boys rose to the occasion. They were unbelievable. I thought they raised their game from what I saw in practice."

It was the second straight loss for Carmel (1-2-1). The Corsairs also lost 1-0 to Deerfield last Saturday.