Libertyville nets second straight shutout win

Whether it's been on the run or off dead balls, Libertyville's girls soccer team has used hard work to start the season with 2 straight victories.

The Wildcats' second win came Friday when they blanked visiting Marian Central 3-0 as part of the Huntley Invitational.

"I thought we did well and we're looking forward to another game," said coach Scott Schinto, whose Wildcats beat Marengo 4-0 in their opener Thursday. "We're progressing slowly, which is good.

"We did some good things, and there's some things we need to improve on at this time of the year. We were in control of the game. It was a good second game of the year."

The Wildcats will play in Huntley today, meeting Hononegah at 10 a.m., followed by the final at 1 p.m.

"We've got our forwards really working hard," junior midfielder Kaca Savatic said. "We're constantly making runs checking in and playing it back. Our midfielders and defenders are the ones playing the ball through. We're constantly moving on and off the ball. We're just trying to get a lot of touches on the ball."

Savatic broke the scoreless tie with Marian Central (1-1) in the 34th minute when she one-timed Haley Pike's free kick that had soared in front of the net.

"We've been practicing on the ball not hitting the ground," said Savatic, who scored her first goal. "I just got a foot on it and it went in. I made a near-post run and got ahead of my defender. I just popped it with my right foot past the goalie."

In the second half, the Wildcats kept putting pressure on the Hurricanes and finally scored 2 goals in the last eight minutes.

Mackenzie Jaroch converted a rebound off the hands of Marian Central keeper Jesica Simmons (7 saves) in the 72nd minute. Allie Roeber fed Sam Marsh for the initial shot.

In the final minute, Marsh scored off an assist from Michele McCracken.

Kayla Gibbs earned the shutout, making 3 saves.

"Libertyville has a good team and we tried to contain them," Marian Central coach Jose Arias said. "I thought we could hold them to 1 goal. Libertyville's ball possession was very good. But we didn't have the horses to stay with them."