Scouting Libertyville soccer at state
What: Class 3A state semifinals Friday, 5 and 7 p.m. and Saturday, 5 p.m. (third place) and 7 p.m. (championship)
Where: Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium, North Central College, Naperville
Matchups: Rockford Boylan (25-1-3) vs. Edwardsville (19-4-1), 5 p.m.; Libertyville (19-3-2) vs. Naperville North (21-2-2), 7 p.m.
How they got there: Libertyville went through what was noted as the “regional of death” and beat North Suburban Conference Lake Division rivals Stevenson, 1-0 in penalty kicks, and Warren, 3-2. In their own sectional, the Wildcats shut out St. Viator, 1-0, and beat upset-minded Highland Park, 1-0, in a four-overtime final. Libertyville got past Maine West 4-1 in the Loyola University supersectional Tuesday night by scoring 3 goals in less than three minutes. “We've made it here because this is what we've practiced and played for all season,” Libertyville coach Andy Bitta said. “This is a great reward for the coaches and the players, and it's taken a lot of work in the offseason and during the season. We've had a hard run through the playoffs. I believe the Pepsi Showdown Final prepared us for the regionals and sectionals.” ... Naperville North started its state tournament run with a 2-0 shutout of Romeoville in the regional. The Huskies topped West Chicago 2-1 for the regional title. Naperville North opened the its own sectional with a 2-1 victory over Benet Academy and needed penalty kicks for a 2-1 triumph over highly regarded Neuqua Valley. The Huskies reached the final four by knocking out last year's state champion, Lyons, 3-2 in the Hinsdale Central supersectional. “It's still a surprise that we're here,” Naperville North coach Jim Konrad said. “We just found ways to win. We're happy to be in final four.”
History at state: Libertyville is one of three Lake County schools to be a state runner-up in boys soccer. The Wildcats did it in 1986 and again in 1996. Warren (2006) and Lake Zurich (2009) were the others to finish second. Libertyville is trying to become the first boys champion from Lake County. ... Naperville North makes its first trip back to state since 2002 (fourth place). The Huskies won their only title in 1998 and will be making their seventh state appearance.
The line on Libertyville: Hall-of-Fame coach Andy Bitta returned back to the sidelines three years ago. Bitta has 336 victories over 25 years of coaching. Libertyville started out its season strong, going unbeaten through its first 13 games (12-0-1). The Wildcats' first loss was in the Pepsi Showdown Final at Toyota Park, as they lost to Morton 2-1 in penalty kicks. Libertyville had losses to Stevenson and Lake Forest in the rugged NSC Lake. “We have a lot of team unity,” Bitta said. “A lot of these kids like each other and would go to war in each game for another. They are very competitive in practice. Just a great group of men and very talented.” ... Senior Miles McNeir leads the team with 18 goals and Joey Ruppert has added 15. Goalkeeper Andrew Bitta (the coach's son) has been strong in goal with a 0.8 goals against average and has posted 10 shutouts.
The line on Naperville North: The Huskies started 16-0-2. Their last loss was against Jesuit (Cal.) 2-1 in the Pepsi Showdown. “We've got a collection of good players,” Konrad said. “We're truly a team with an unusual number of underclassmen (9). We expected next year to be a special season. The kids just grew up quicker this year.” Naperville North is led by junior forward Evan Trychta (18 goals, 9 assists) and Kyle Lindberg (8 goals, 5 assists). Goalkeeper Kevin Anderson has a goals-against average of 0.58 and has recorded 13 shutouts.
Naperville North tournament history: Konrad served as an assistant coach under former Naperville North coach Dave Bucher. Konrad also played and graduated from Naperville North in 1989. He played on a team that finished fourth at state in '87. “We're talking to the kids about how it feels to play on the turf and in front a lot of fans,” Konrad said. “With the schedule we've played, all the nerves should be settled by now.”