Libertyville hands Stars 1st loss

Seeing is believing when it comes to playing good soccer.

Early this season, the Libertyville boys are standing behind what they believe and show on their practice shirts: "Play hard, play smart and play together."

For the second time in three days, the Wildcats pulled off another upset as they beat third-seeded St. Charles North 2-1 in the Pepsi Showdown round of 16 at the Libertyville Township Soccer Complex on Thursday afternoon.

Libertyville had defeated No. 14 Wheaton Academy 3-1 on Tuesday night.

The Wildcats next play in the quarterfinals against sixth-seeded Lincoln-Way Central at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, at the Lyons Soccer Complex.

Lincoln-Way Central beat Downers Grove North.

"We're showing people that we can compete," said Libertyville coach Andy Bitta. "It's all a team effort. We do look good in the back. But up front we're doing a nice job making the runs. Overall, we're playing real well everywhere."

The North Stars (6-1-1) had won the Barrington tournament Saturday in overtime, completing four games in five days. They were playing their third game in three days on Thursday.

"You might want to point to fatigue," said North Stars coach Eric Willson. "I just don't think we executed out there. Hat's off to Libertyville, they fought hard. No doubt about.

The Wildcats (3-0) made the best of a couple of set pieces, with goals from junior Brad Novak and senior Alvaro Castro.

"We didn't have a lot of opportunities, but the opportunities we had, we finished." Bitta said. "We had deadball situations and fantastic plays."

The Wildcats' Novak scored the game-winner -- a perfectly placed shot off a corner kick -- in the 67th minute.

Libertyille's Ben Julie sent a short rolling pass, Ryan Hutten ran on the ball and one-touched it into the box, where Novak finished it.

"I saw it was an open opportunity," said Novak, who scored for the second time in two games. "All I did was to focus on catching it and getting it to the goal. I knew where I was on the field and got it in.

"That play, we worked on in practice. It was a great ball on the ground and slotted it in."

The North Stars had tied the game three minutes earlier. Mike Picinich scored after his shot deflected off a Libertyville defender and eluded keeper Jim Palac (7 saves). Jon Shroeder assisted.

Libertyville's first goal was scored by Castro on a 30-yard free kick in the 47th minute.

North Stars goalkeeper Tyler McHenry (2 saves) left the game in the 63rd minute with a leg injury after a collision with Castro.

"If you look at most percentages, goals are scored right after another goal," Willson said. "We got the game-tying goal and we eased up on the defensive end. (Libertyville) kept on coming and it was good stuff on their part."