Boys soccer: Powerful performance as Libertyville blanks Warren

Posted September 07, 2017 1:00 am

By Rusty Silber

Will Powers contributed a pair of assists, Ryan Wittenbrink added his second hat trick in six games this season, and Libertyville's boys soccer team powered past host Warren 6-0 in a North Suburban Conference opener Thursday night.

Greg Krikorian, Evan Rasmussen and Tanner Kelly also scored.

"We've talked about it all week long, that (NSC play) is a totally different ball of wax," Libertyville coach Kevin Thunholm said. "The (Northside College Showcase) that we were in helped. It was high competition. But when we play a team that's familiar with us, it's a different level. We worked hard on our game over last two days. We talked about pressing high and shooting the ball. We worked on finishing and it showed."

The Wildcats (5-0-1) scored four goals during an 11-minute span in the first half.

"It's another thing we've been working on," Thunholm said of the Wildcats' starts. "I'd like us to start a little earlier, instead of waiting 25-30 minutes, but usually when we get that rhythm going we're going downhill from there."

Krikorian opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a half-volley that was set up off a throw-in by Powers. Powers set up the second goal as well on a throw-in that was deflected in front of the goal. Rasmussen finished for a 2-0 lead in the 29th minute.

Wittenbrink scored the first of his three in the 31st minute by taking control of Powers throw-in and finding the back of the net.

Wittenbrink struck again in the 33rd minute, hitting a shot that caromed off the crossbar into the goal. It was set up on a pass from Tanner Kelly for a 4-0 advantage. Wittenbrink added his eighth goal of the season in the second half.

Libertyville keepers Thomas Pearson (1 save) and Zach El Ghatit (2 saves) combined for the clean sheet.

Warren coach Jason Ahonen couldn't knock his team's effort after the Blue Devils fell to 5-4.

"We played hard," Ahonen said. "I'm not upset at all. The score is the score. But the controllable is the effort, the attitude. And that was spot on. We got beat by better a team. My guys showed a lot of heart and desire. I can deal with that, and that's workable."

Article Comments

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.