Girls soccer: Libertyville hangs tough to knock off Fremd in sectional championship game
One year after its heartbreaking loss in penalty kicks to Fremd, North Suburban Conference champion Libertyville held off a valiant second-half effort from the Vikings to claim a 2-1 girls soccer victory Friday night in an 80-minute sectional final thriller at Hildebrandt Field in Palatine.
Sydney Dulak, unable to play in the sectional final a year ago due to injury, bagged both first-half goals for the Wildcats (18-1-3), who advance into the Barrington supersectional on Tuesday to play the winner of Saturday’s game between Lake Zurich and Barrington.
“It truly was a game of two halves,” said Dulak, who will play at St. Louis University in the fall. “We played so well in the first half (it) could have been 3-0.”
“(But) we knew (Fremd) would really come at us after the break, and both No. 22 (Sami Serpico) and Gwen (Zimmerman) gave us so much trouble all throughout the second half, and fortunately we fought hard to hang on for the victory.”
As they have all throughout the second half of the season, the Wildcats produced plenty of high-percentage passing, terrific ball and player movement, and an attack that built from the back with Lainey Chung, Anna George and Shannon Phillips all technically proficient when on the ball.
“We came out and played the way we wanted to in the first half, but we struggled to find our game in the second half, with a lot of that due to the pressure Fremd put on us,” George said.
It was a lovely finish from Dulak just after the quarter hour that gave the Wildcats the lead, and later, in the 33rd minute, the senior converted a penalty kick high into the right corner for her 13th goal of the year.
Vikings (13-7-3) coach Steve Keller made a key tactical move during halftime, moving two-time all-state junior Gwen Zimmerman up top alongside Serpico and Lily Mayer, and it wasn't long that the speed, quickness and pace of the trio made for some nervous moments for the Wildcats faithful.
“We were too timid in the first half, and maybe fortunate it was just a 2-0 game at the half,” Keller said.
“(But) moving Gwen up top, who with Sami and Lily gave us three threats, and our ability to target (them) and get the ball to them really helped turn the game around in our favor.”
The home side pulled one goal back at 54 minutes when Mayer kept the ball alive along the near touchline — then playing to Serpico — who in turn set free Zimmerman for her 11th goal on the season.
Vikings goalkeeper Jazz Ocampo turned away a Bella Yarc angled effort that could have doubled the Wildcats advantage in the 61st minute.
Moments later, Serpico was allowed to come freely up the left side before unleashing her attempt toward an open back post — only to see her effort rattled the post and fall out of danger.
The final 20 minutes was a gripping, hard-fought and intense affair that looked as though the Vikings would find a way to get level, but Ian Taylors' club held firm until the final whistle.
“Things got chaotic, and it wasn't easy out there, but we didn't expect this game to be an easy one at all,” said the Wildcats coach.
“The effort, grit and heart the girls displayed in the second half couldn't have been better, but in the end, we lost to a very good team that could go all the way from here on out,” Keller said.
“I am so proud of our team, we played a great second half and had our chances along the way, but it's been a great run, and I will miss the team and coaches next season,” said Vikings captain Cami Tofilon, one of seven seniors.