Boys soccer: Libertyville blanks Warren to finish NSC play on positive note
A near perfect second half of soccer would lead to a perfect ending to league play for host Libertyville Tuesday night at Walter Johnson Sports Complex.
The Wildcats (8-2-5, 4-1-2) would score three in the second half — led by Nathan Gifford's — double to claim a 3-0 victory over visiting Warren.
The victory was not enough for the Wildcats to earn at least a tie for the NSC title which went to Lake Forest after defeating Mundelein 3-1 to lift the championship trophy.
"This is a great way to end play in the conference, and to give us the type of momentum needed to take us through the rest of our schedule and into regionals in two weeks," said Wildcats coach Kevin Thunholm.
Next up for Thunholm's club is Woodstock, then Vernon Hills next week before preparing for its regional opener with Barrington on Oct. 22.
"Our goal all year is to be better each time out, and tonight I really believe this was our best 80 minutes played this season," said Wildcats center back Nick Snow.
"Three second half goals said a lot about our energy, heart and work rate, and it's something we can build off of going forward," added Gifford.
The home side would have nearly 80% of the ball in the first half — creating chances through the run of play — while using width and quick touches to keep the Blue Devils (6-7-3, 1-3-2) in their own end far more that they would have liked.
"It was just not a very good night of soccer for us," said Warren coach Jason Ahonen.
"We created a handful of chances along the way, but as you saw we struggled in their final third, while struggling on the other end where they had most of the possession and some quality chances as well.“
The Wildcats quintet of Kaden Kovach, Graham Czajka, Lukas Krzeminski, Ben Goldberg and Gifford looked comfortable on the ball. That in turn allowed the home side to put its stamp on this contest.
Blue Devils keeper Ethan Cole would keep his club in the match with his control and command of his box, but the senior could do nothing when Gifford unleashed a low free kick blast just inside the far post in the 47th minute.
Gifford would double the Wildcats’ advantage at 68 minutes with a 35-yard cracker in which Cole had no chance to stop.
Cole made a brave point-blank save on Noah Finnema moments later, but sophomore Sam Bownas put the finishing touches on the win from close range in the 70th minute.
"This is a great group of guys who are fun to be around and coach, but right now we're lacking that extra competitive nature needed to compete in games like this one," said Ahonen.
The Blue Devils finish league play against Zion-Benton before a pair of nonconference games with Wauconda and Glenbrook South complete their regular season.