Boys soccer: Lake Forest trips up Libertyville in NSC showdown

Everything is different this season with spring soccer for the boys, and for Libertyville, which is trying to get its team playing at a high level.

The Wildcats have been the front-runners of the North Suburban Conference over the last several years and now it appears that other schools have stepped up their play to be right with Libertyville.

After taking a week off for spring break and with a limited number of practices, the Wildcats were playing just their third game of the season Tuesday.

Libertyville had the advantage of possession and shots on goal, but it was host Lake Forest that got past visiting Libertyville 2-1 in the NSC matchup.

"We're still trying to put people into places," Libertyville coach Kevin Thunholm said. "We've had some people unhealthy and trying to get them back into shape ready to go. I think we hit the post four or five times and we shot at their (keeper) a number of times. Second half we were just finding our groove. We had some things not fall our way and our guys didn't quit."

The Wildcats (1-2, 1-1) are younger this year with five sophomores, a junior and a number of seniors trying to get their chemistry on the same page.

"I think we're just trying to jell as a team," said Conner Hay, Libertyville senior forward, "We're trying to learn with each other's styles. We just need to play more together as a team."

Lake Forest (1-0-2, 1-0) had a strong effort from its goalkeeper, Josca Schabacker, who made 13 saves.

"It's Libertyville, we always want to beat them and it's one of our rivals," Schabacker said. "We know that they made it to the state tournament and the finals the past few years. I thought we came in with the right attitude and a winning attitude. It showed on the field. I was just locked in and wasn't distracted. I was just in a zone."

The Scouts got their goals from Thomas Tustinson off a Jimmy Kuehnle assist in the 27th minute, then Sebastian Obrzut in the 45th minute as Jack Rice assisted.

The Wildcats' Michael Kelly scored an unassisted goal in the 66th minute.

Lake Forest had a 7-game losing steak coming into the match against Libertyville.

"It was huge win and it says something about us," Lake Forest coach Rob Parry said. "We've been average and (Libertyville) has been outstanding. We rode our luck. I think they hit three or four goal posts. Our keeper came up big when we needed the saves."