Boys soccer: And it's on to state for Libertyville

Make it back-to-back trips to state for Libertyville's boys soccer team.

It's also the third time in the last four years that the Wildcats are state bound after they pulled out a 2-1 win over St. Patrick in the Class 3A Barrington supersectional on Tuesday night.

They even broke out orange T-shirts after the game with "state" and all the players listed. The game was played in a downpour, but the nasty weather wasn't going to stop Libertyville from keeping its perfect record intact.

The teams had to wait out a 90-minute delay due to lightning before they even got started.

Libertyville (21-0) will next play in the state semifinals at 7 p.m. Friday at Hoffman Estates against the winner of downstate Collinsville or Mount Carmel. That match at Bradley-Bourbonnais was postponed because of the inclement weather and will be played at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

"The stress level was a little crazy and overwhelming," Libertyville coach Kevin Thunholm said. "We had one goal and that was to win this game. Every team we've played in the playoffs has given us good competition and everybody all year has given us their best. I'm not sure if it has set in yet that we're here again going downstate."

The Wildcats had to endure not only the weather but the outstanding play from St. Patrick (24-4), which won the East Suburban Catholic Conference championship this season and went to state last year in Class 2A, taking fourth place.

"Our guys wanted to show that we could play against the best teams in the state," St. Patrick coach Kyle McClure said. "Even though the result didn't go our way, I think we're one of the best teams in the state. We got matched up in the super against a real good team, but I thought it was a great game and it could've gone either way. They had some good chances and we had some really good chances."

Michigan-bound Evan Rasmussen opened the scoring early in the first half for the Wildcats with his 33rd goal of the season, as he finished a half volley off a head flick from Mason Williams in the eighth minute.

"The difference maker is (Rasmussen)," McClure said. "He's a guy that's so strong, and the rest of their guys can play defensive. When he's in the box, he can finish. They are solid defensively and we knew that. They are also really good on their set pieces and good in the box."

St. Patrick evened the match at 1-1 in the 22nd minute. The Shamrocks' Angel Adame finished a shot up top, which came on a free kick outside the box to the right side. Libertyville had a couple touches defensively, but couldn't get the ball cleared out of its own area.

Libertyville responded back with another goal five minutes later. Sophomore Jack Brennan tapped in a loose ball for his third goal of the year and the eventual game-winner, after Mickey Reilly had deflected it.

"This goal was so much more than the others," Brennan said. "It was such an opportunity to play with these guys. I just freaked out. I was just there at the back post."