Martin, Stevenson use their head

Mike Martin had Libertyville smartin.'

Stevenson's junior midfielder scored 2 goals, including the game-winner, as the third-seeded Patriots got past No. 17 Libertyville 3-2 in the teams' Class 3A regional semifinal in Libertyville.

Martin broke a 2-2 tie in the 59th minute on a header off a Ryan Uslander corner kick.

"The cross came in there and I made a run to the near post," said Martin, whose pair of goals have him five for the season. "It was a well-driven ball, something we've worked on in practice. It was a huge goal and I'm excited for the seniors."

Martin headed home Stevenson's first exactly four minutes into the match with Yonda Abogunrin picking up the assist.

Libertyville (6-8-2) tied the score 25 seconds later, when Kevin Fanning scored off a Miles McNeir cross.

Gordy Gurson put Stevenson back in front in the 37th minute after Nikola Antonijevic was tripped up in the penalty area. Gurson converted the penalty kick.

Libertyville wouldn't go away, pulling even again when Andrei Alvarez scored on a free kick in the 46th minute.

"We dominated the way we needed to dominate and we didn't give up too many chances," Stevenson coach Mark Schartner said. "All in all it was a typical, physical, North Suburban, Libertyville-Stevenson, hard-fought game. It was good to get off to good start."

Stevenson next takes on either Highland Park or Zion-Benton in the regional final at 2 p.m. Saturday back at Libertyville.