Boys soccer: Naperville North beats Libertyville in title game again

For the second straight season, the last team standing in the way of a state title for Naperville North was undefeated Libertyville.

And once again the Huskies edged the Wildcats on a goal off a header from Colin Iverson to win the Class 3A championship 1-0.

The difference from a year ago? Last year Iverson scored off a throw-in from Jack Barry late in the game. On Saturday at Hoffman Estates, Iverson scored off a corner kick from Ty Konrad in the opening half with only 3:43 on the clock.

"Ty played another beautiful ball so I didn't have to do much but just slip it on," Iverson said. "We've really drilled it in so much that it's kind of second nature to just go out and get it done."

Kind of like how winning has remained with this program and how the Huskies can now begin throwing around the word, "Three-peat."

"I'm blown away with what the boys accomplished that words can't even begin to describe it," Huskies coach Jim Konrad said. "They've played with a target on their back every game this year and have now won 45 games in a row to finish off a third straight championship. It's out-of-this-world type stuff and it's a credit to the boys' character because they didn't get caught up in the moment."

Once again, the Wildcats didn't back down from the challenge and did all they could to score a goal other than actually score one. They frequently applied pressure on the Huskies, including goalkeeper Tommy Welch, but were denied time and time again.

Welch and the Huskies picked up their 22nd shutout of the season. They finished the season with only 5 goals allowed.

"We knew exactly what we were getting into," Wildcats coach Kevin Thunholm said. "It was the same battle. We knew they would be dangerous on dead balls and throw-ins. We tried to clean it up. They finished; we didn't."

Libertyville (22-1) outshot Naperville North 17-7 and forced Welch to make 12 saves, including several in the final 10 minutes.

"We knew Libertyville was going to come out strong because their offense is incredible," Welch said. "But I think our defense is even better and it showed and that's why there's a zero on the board. We grind and play for each other better than anybody else."

Iverson isn't the only one known for punishing other teams with headers. Libertyville is known for its ability to do the same thing, but the Wildcats couldn't match Iverson again.

"I guess they kind of beat us at our game because that's how we've been winning games all year, with the head ball," Thunholm said. "They did a nice job on Evan (Rasmussen). It got a little physical and a little out of control at the end. They finished, we didn't. They won, we didn't."

With its third straight championship Naperville North became the first team to win three or more in a row since Granite City South won five straight from 1976-80.

The Huskies have not lost a playoff game since falling to Naperville Central 1-0 in a sectional final in 2015.