Boys soccer: Warren stays undefeated with win over Libertyville

Warren's boys soccer team has shown that it is the leader in the North Suburban Conference this season.

Ishaan Shah scored a hat trick and Edward Luna had the other goal that led Warren past visiting Libertyville 4-0 in Gurnee on Thursday night.

Warren (11-0, 6-0) has clinched at least a tie for the NSC with a match remaining at Lake Forest on Tuesday.

"It's been a fun year," said Warren coach Jason Ahonen, whose team shut out previously unbeaten New Trier 1-0 on Monday. "I am blessed with remarkable young men that are humble, hardworking, pull the rope for each other. I don't think you will find a better combination of players that care more about each other. Obviously, they had a tremendous game here against (Libertyville)."

It's been at least five years since Warren last beat Libertyville. The Blue Devils have now only given up 3 goals all season in 11 games.

"We're doing something right," Ahonen said. "I wish this group can have a taste of a postseason. At one point, we didn't know if we would have any season. It's been a fun ride so far. Unlike any other year possible, we know next Saturday, it's all done. We've got a week left and that's it."

Luna scored the opening goal in the third minute off an assist from a Sebastian Rodriguez cross. Then, Shah (13 goals, 3 assists). scored the second and third goals unassisted by taking the ball away from defenders in the 18th and 56th minutes that increased the Blue Devils' lead to 3-0.

"It was the whole game, we wanted it more than they did," Shah said. "That shows in the scoreboard and the effort on the field. This means so much to us, we've been getting our butt kicked by Libertyville for years. It feels so good now to get one back."

Shah added his third goal in the 80th minute off the crossbar into the net.

Libertyville (4-3-1, 3-2-1) still had a good effort, even though the score didn't reflect it.

"It was the best game we've had all year," Libertyville coach Kevin Thunholm said. "We still don't have the guy to finish yet. We scored 5 goals in the two games before this and we're starting to click. We made three huge mistakes that you can't do against a team like this. (Warren) took over and finished it."