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Boys soccer: New Trier blanks Libertyville in Northside College Showcase tourney

Libertyville has a young group of boys soccer players picking up experience against some of the toughest teams in the state early in the season.

The Wildcats found out that visiting New Trier was more than a handful in a 3-0 loss in the final round of pool play in the Northside College Showcase Tournament on Thursday night.

"(New Trier) was real good and we knew that the teams that we lined up at the beginning of the season (were going to be tough)," Libertyville coach Kevin Thunholm said. "With this young core, we made a couple early mistakes and respected them a little bit too much in the first 10 minutes. The second half, we kind of figured it out a little bit better. This is why we do this tournament, because we know it's the best teams that we will play."

Libertyville (3-2) had a hard time in the midfield and getting control of possession moving forward into the final third of the field at times.

"(New Trier) was anticipating a little bit more than we were," Thunholm said. "I don't think we were quite up to their speed yet. I think we have that capability and we showed that for about 30 minutes in the second half. We're still trying to learn and getting to know each other."

New Trier (3-0-1) scored twice in the first half. The opening goal was in the eighth minute, when Karsten Segall scored off an assist from Matthew Perchik.

Then, the Trevians went up 2-0 in the 24th minute, as Ronan O'Neill knocked a shot off the post and into the net.

The other New Trier goal was in the 70th minute. Will Pasia scored off a pass from Segall.

"I can certainly get used to going up a goal early," New Trier coach Matt Ravenscraft said. "But, it doesn't always happen. We did take our chances and it was great to get on the board against a great team like Libertyville, getting them on their back feet starting the game. We do have a lot of experience in our group."

The Trevians had the 2-goal advantage going into the second half and was worried a bit if the Wildcats would make a rally with a goal or two.

"The next goal dictates how the second half will go," Ravenscraft said. "If you get a third you kill the game and if Libertyville gets one back all the momentum is with them. We were fortunate to get that third goal. Libertyville made a push at us in that second half."

New Trier's keeper Aiden Crawford made 10 saves.

The Trevians will play in the final, hosting Lyons at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.

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