Lake Zurich, Libertyville finish Barrington tournament strong

The Libertyville and Lake Zurich girls soccer teams have something in common.

Both are dealing with injuries, but both were able to finish the Mairin Wallner Memorial Tournament in Barrington on a high note.

While host Barrington won its own tournament with a 5-0 shutout of Rockford Boylan in the championship game on Saturday night, Libertyville battled back from a 2-0 halftime deficit to earn a 2-2 tie with Conant (10-1-4, 0-0-4).

"I thought it was a great effort," said Libertyville coach Scott Schinto, whose team went 1-2-1 in the tournament and is 2-8-1 overall. "But we're playing banged up. We've got kids playing in different positions. Seeing them come back was great. I'm waiting for us to play a game at full strength. We haven't done it all year."

Katarina Savatic scored the first Wildcats goal in the 48th minute unassisted. Then, in the 70th minute, Haley Walton sent a long through ball to the feet of Jessica Faber. Faber collected the ball, beat a defender and scored the tying goal.

"Jessica was running to the outside," Walton said. "It's been something we've been practicing. We were able to connect and get the goal. This gives us more confidence knowing we can score."

Conant scored twice in the first half. Becky Knoll scored off a Brenna Fitzpatrick corner kick, and Laura Jason found the back of the net off an Alyssa Stylski assist.

Cougars had numerous chances to score in the second half, but the Cougars hit the crossbar and sent another ball wide of the post.

"It's frustrating," Conant coach Jason Franco said. "We could have broken their backs. We need to finish our chances and be more solid in the back. We need to figure that out."

Libertyville started its day by losing to Barrington 3-0.

Lake Zurich needed a win or tie in its early game to earn a berth in the championship game. But St. Viator scored twice in the second half to knock off the Bears 3-1.

Sarah Stauner had the only Bears goal in the first half.

"We were going for the tie at least," Lake Zurich coach Meghan Kolze said. "I didn't figure we would lose. We're also suffering from injuries with our defenders."

Lake Zurich (7-7-3, 2-1-1) responded by blanking Hononegah 5-0.

The Bears got 2 goals from Molly Murrin and 1 apiece from Hailey Chmela, Lindsay Cooley and Gina McCoy.

Maggie Eisenhuth earned the shutout making 3 saves.