Boys soccer: Libertyville keeps rolling with shutout of Stevenson
Being the top seed does mean something and when Libertyville comes to play it really can lead the way. The Wildcats were ready for their own Class 3A regional final and scored quickly, netting 3 goals in 13 minutes and 4 total in the first half.
Libertyville rolled past No. 2 seed Stevenson 7-0 for the regional championship on Saturday afternoon in Libertyville.
The Wildcats (18-0) now have outscored their opponents 14-1 in two postseason games.
Mickey Reilly notched his first hat trick of the season, Michigan-bound Evan Rassmussen scored twice on headers to reach 30 goals for the season, Tanner Kelly and Jack Brennan had the other two goals and keepers Zach El Ghatit and Lynch combined for the shutout.
"The wind was a big factor and the first half we took advantage and used it," Libertyville coach Kevin Thunholm said. "We did everything pretty well today. We finished the ball and in the second half going against the wind, we finished better and more controlled.
"We wanted to come out and set the pace. These guys know how to finish."
With his 3 goals Reilly now has 12 on the season for the Wildcats. Going into this matchup, Stevenson (12-4-2) had played Libertyville to a 3-2 game in North Suburban Conference play.
"It's a great feeling and I was pretty confident with the team," Reilly said. "The last time we played (Stevenson), we had a little trouble with this game. This time was good to get the result and score some goals. If we move the ball from side to side it's easy to finish them."
Libertyville scored quickly, Rasmussen connecting on a header off a corner kick from Patrick Graham in the second minute. Then Kelly scored with his own header off a long throw-in from Graham in the ninth minute. A third goal happened in the 13th minute when Reilly found the back of the net off a pass from Brendan Quigley.
Reilly scored his second goal in the final minute of the half off a pass from Brennan for a 4-0 advantage.
Libertyville added 3 goals in the second half going against the wind. Rasmussen scored on another header, Reilly off a pass from VanDixhorn and Brennan netted a goal on a rebound.
Coming into the match, the Patriots needed something in their favor taking on a team like Libertyville.
"We needed to win the coin toss," Stevenson coach Mark Schartner said. "We wanted it, but it didn't go our way."
Stevenson still had a great season with a number of seniors and some pretty good younger players that gained a lot of experience.
"It was an outstanding season for us," Schartner added. "They were a spectacular group and we're thankful for all of our seniors. They've epitomized family, they are tight and it's been wonderful to watch them. They're heartbroken, they don't get to hang out and practice anymore. But they had a great season."