Libertyville nets tie with Mundelein
It wasn't the result Mundelein's girls soccer team was looking for Wednesday night.
With serious aspirations of winning the North Suburban Lake Division, the Mustangs settled for a 1-1 tie with visiting Libertyville.
"We expected to win," Mundelein coach Dave Ekstrom said. "We put a lot of pressure on (Libertyville), but we couldn't put it in."
Mundelein (10-1-3) remains unbeaten in the NSC Lake at 2-0-2 with games remaining at Zion-Benton and at home against Warren. The Mustangs and Stevenson are the only teams without a loss in division play.
Libertyville (5-6-2) is 0-2-1 in the NSC Lake.
"I thought (our girls) played good Libertyville soccer," Libertyville coach Scott Schinto said. "I thought it was a great game. (Mundelein) has a good team and good record. We've got a good team and not a good record.
"This was a good hard battle. We had chances to win, and they had chances to win."
Libertyville goalkeeper Natalie LaPlant had a huge game, making 8 of her 12 saves in the second half. Included were three stops from point-blank range.
"I just really wanted to see us win," LaPlant said. "I was reading the players and I was able to get where I had to be and make the saves."
Mundelein got on the board first in the 45th minute on a Nathalie Mathis corner kick that was headed home by Stephanie Emery for her 15th goal.
"I've been practicing (corner kicks) a lot and I just look for Stephanie," Mathis said. "Lately, we've been dangerous with our corner kicks."
Libertyville tied the game at 1-1 in the 53rd minute. Christina Sickert sent a cross from the right side, Michele McCracken got a touch on the ball and Mackenzie Jaroch finished for her eighth goal.
"I just knew it was going to be far post, I got to the post and got a little tap," Jaroch said. "It went off their defender. I actually hit it with the back of my foot and put it in."
Mundelein thought it had pulled ahead in the 63rd minute, but a goal was waved off for offsides.
Mustangs keeper Melanie Swager made 6 stops.