Boys soccer: Libertyville grabs fifth place in Northside Showcase

Libertyville's boys soccer team picked up a 1-0 victory over Buffalo Grove in the fifth-place game of the Northside College Showcase tournament hosted by New Trier High School on Saturday.

The outcome broke a two-game losing streak for the Wildcats (2-2).

"It was a good win, and we came back nicely," said Libertyville assistant coach Al Beard, who is filling in for coach Andy Bitta as he battles illness. "By playing the good teams, you will only get better. That's what this tournament is for."

Austin Becker scored the game-winner. The opportunity came as the result of a rebound following a header from teammate Dan Marks, whose attempt caromed off both the keeper and the crossbar in the 32nd minute.

"I just followed it up on the rebound," Becker said. "I was going near-post originally, but I saw it go over my head and turned to watch Dan head it. I thought it might go in, and I was going in that general direction, just in case it came back to me. Then I tapped it in."

Buffalo Grove (2-4, 1-2) has been competitive in every game on its schedule so far.

"It's a solid tournament with good competition," Buffalo Grove coach Brad Abel said. "Every game, I thought we were in it. (Libertyville) got the goal and we didn't. This will get us ready for the Mid-Suburban. I thought the boys played hard and we just have to clean up the mistakes - especially challenging the ball, and second balls. Credit Libertyville, they're a top-notch program."

• Following a disappointing 0-3-1 tournament showing last year, St. Charles East enjoyed a dramatic performance improvement.

The Saints topped Glenbrook North 2-0 to win the title Saturday afternoon.

Gray Biddle and Nick Cayton led the way for the Saints (5-0-1, 4-0) with 1 goal apiece, and goalkeeper Steven Owens earned a clean sheet with 6 saves.

"In a game of this quality, it makes it very difficult for the other team to come back," said St. Charles East coach Paul Jennison of the commanding lead his team ended up taking. "To be fair to Glenbrook North, they're a quality outfit from start to finish. If it was 2-0 the other way, they would say the same thing. It was a good game and they should have a successful season. But I think when we show that we can work as a unit, front and back, we can be effective against anyone."

The Saints scored early in the fifth minute as Biddle broke free and took a pass from Chris Edgerton.

• New Trier won the third-place match over Lyons 1-0 and Niles shutout Waukegan 1-0 for seventh place.