Libertyville (9-0) acing all of its exams
Each game is providing the Libertyville boys soccer team a test of how good the Wildcats can be this season -- and the Wildcats are acing their exams.
The Wildcats showed why they received a No. 8 seed in the prestigious Pepsi Showdown 32-team tournament, capturing their third straight game in pool play with a 1-0 shutout over previously unbeaten Oak Park at Lyons on Saturday afternoon.
The Wildcats had beaten Glenbrook South 3-1 on Friday and Streamwood by the same score Tuesday.
Libertyville (9-0) advanced to the quarterfinals and will host St. Charles North on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the high school.
On Saturday, the Wildcats' Matt McNeir scored the game-winning goal in the 49th minute, converting a rebound that deflected off the hands of Oak Park keeper Sam Euler.
The Wildcats' Sam Kaplan initially sent a free kick that caught Euler leaning to the near post, and the keeper could not make the save.
"Right before Kaplan played the ball, I ran inside the box," said McNeir, who has 6 goals. "I beat two defenders to the goal and I was there for it. I thought the kick caught the keeper off guard."
The smothering Wildcats defense has allowed only 4 goals in nine games.
Wildcats sweeper Andy Loska made an impressive sliding tackle to thwart a 1-on-1 move by the Huskies' Corey O'Donnell in the penalty area during the 65th minute.
"Coach wants to be physical and I had to use my body," Loska said.
"I was able to get the ball and clear it away."
Besides Loska, the Wildcats' defense - including Kaplan, Adam Witucki, Landon Eyre and Keenan Busse - stood strong to help goalkeeper Andrew Bitta (5 saves) record the shutout.
The Wildcats held off a late Huskies push during the final 10-plus minutes.
"As the game went on we got stronger," said Wildcats coach Andy Bitta. "I was so worried because Oak Park played so direct and we were able to go with five defenders in the back. Our defense has played fantastic and they don't get the credit sometimes.
"We're limiting the shots on goal from other teams."