Libertyville stops Warren

A pair of quick-fire goals from Miles McNeir in the space of just four minutes capped a furious comeback by No. 1 seed Libertyville, which emerged from its regional championship match with North Suburban Lake rival Warren with a 3-2 victory on a glorious autumn evening Friday in Lincolnshire.

The Wildcats (17-3-2), who will host their own sectional beginning next Wednesday, await either No. 5 St. Viator or Glenbrook South, who meet today in Glenview.

“That was quite a soccer match everyone saw tonight,” said Wildcats coach Andy Bitta, whose program netted its first regional title since 2007.

Libertyville trailed 2-1 at the break to the NSC champion Blue Devils (13-6-5), who played nearly flawless soccer in the first half before falling short in a bid to stay unbeaten in their last 12 matches.

“It was a great match, what can I say?” said Warren coach Jason Ahonen. “I am not upset with the loss, because we played so well, but I am for our four seniors, who gave so much to this team, bought into our program, and played their final game in their high school careers tonight.”

The Blue Devils enjoyed a possession edge early while playing through sophomore Daniel Sczcepanek and captain Brandon Brown in the midfield. They took turns finding Aunor Solis, who nearly found the back of the net off a rebound following Sczepanek's warning shot that caused 'Cats keeper Andrew Bitta to save bravely from in close.

Solis, a sophomore, did not have to wait very long for his next chance as teammate Sean Kerwin put him through with a marvelous ball, and after his first step forward to get some space, Solis fired in the first goal of the match at 14 minutes.

“Warren played so quick and fast in that first half, and we had a lot of trouble defending their speed and ball movement,” said McNeir.

While it was mostly one-way traffic for the Blue Devils during the first half-hour, it was their backline which helped keep the 'Cats safely away from keeper Brady Walsh. He had an easy time of it, thanks to the work of Andrew Piotrowski and Kerwin, who did well at defending the middle, and when going forward as opportunities arose.

Although they dominated early, the Blue Devils breathed a sigh of relief when Jose Ibarra-Luna thumped a header from a Griffin Pils corner which forced Walsh had to save. Just minutes later, Walsh was unable to stop Ibarra-Luna, who finished the creative work of Pils and Marshall Hollingswoth in the equalizer at 33 minutes.

Warren quickly regained the lead when, off the counter, Ryan Foster ran freely up the center before collecting and firing home his blast after Sczcepanek provided a helper from the left side.

“We played so well in that first half, but you had to remember that Libertyville is a gritty, hard-working team, which (was) capable of coming back, and they did tonight,” said Ahonen.

The Blue Devils may have missed an opportunity to double their just moments after intermission when Sczcepanek and Solis thrilled with a 40-yard 1-2 combination up the left side. Solis, however, sprayed his shot from in close wide.

Sensing the opportunity, the Wildcats began to play through their midfield, and Hollingsworth, Lloyd Chatfield and others helped re-energize the attack.

McNeir brought his club even at 64 minutes, when on the turn he cracked a brilliant goal into the corner from 20 yards after bringing down an Austin Bitta pass.

“I think we all felt the momentum beginning to turn our way, and at that time, I really felt it was only a matter of time before we found the back of the net again,” said coach Bitta, who moments before the McNeir goal was ready to change to a 4-3-3 formation and add the extra attacker up top.

McNeir was credited with the game-winner four minutes later, although the 'Cats captain wasn't absoulutely sure if it was he or the Blue Devils keeper Walsh who actually sent the ball over the end line.

(Adam) Witucki sent a great ball in with his freekick, and I flicked it forward and at their keeper, who I know got a glove on it initially, but after that?” offered the senior.

The 'Cats went to a 5-3-2 to answer the Blue Devils' move to three strikers, and although Warren manufactured a quartet of long throws from deep inside the area, none ended up on frame except for a searing free kick taken by Walsh, which was punched away by Andrew Bitta.