advertisement

Boys soccer: Libertyville wants to keep winning tradition rolling

Libertyville's boys soccer team graduated an all-state scorer in each of the last two years.

The Wildcats remain loaded with talent, however.

They have been the state runner-up for two straight years under coach Kevin Thunholm, whose teams have gone 42-2-3 since he replaced hall-of-fame coach Andy Bitta.

Libertyville lost to Naperville North by 1-0 finals both years in the Class 3A state championship game.

Evan Rasmussen is at Michigan after posting 34 goals and 14 assists and being named captain of the Daily Herald Lake County All-Area team. Ryan Wittenbrink (Indiana) served as captain of the all-area team two seasons ago after piling up 39 goals and 17 assists.

The Wildcats captured a state championship in 2015 and another runner-up finish in 2010.

"Trust, commitment and family. We talk about each of these values all off-season and each practice," Thunholm said. "All the kids enjoy each other and look to improve each day."

Many of the Wildcats have been on the varsity for a couple of years.

"I think they have learned a lot," Thunholm said. "All our levels come out to support each other and learn from each other. That they've had the opportunity to watch the varsity level go deep each of the past three to four years is fantastic."

Libertyville will have a different look this season, but the schedule should prepare the Wildcats for play in the rugged North Suburban Conference, Northside College Showcase at New Trier and another potential state run.

"I'm sure the other teams will want to kick our butt," Thunholm said. "I'm extremely excited with new energy and kids who know our tradition and who want to keep it rolling."

Mickey Reilly returns for his senior season after registering 13 goals and 11 assists last year. He should be complemented by Jake Brennan, Patrick Graham, Cade Upton and Luke Underwood. For Reilly, it's his chance to be the kind of leader Wittenbrink and Rasmussen were to him.

Only he isn't a redhead like his two ex-teammates.

"They showed me how to lead a team," Reilly said of the two former all-staters. "I just have a different hair color. Mine is brown with blond highlights. I just want to bring everybody together. The way I play is more like Wittenbrink, and I expect to be in the midfield."

Coaching longevity I: Mark Schartner enters his 33rd season coaching at Stevenson. He is seventh all-time in IHSA history with a record of 421-199-98. He also was the girls coach for 19 years (209 victories).

"I'm happy with the numbers, and it means that I'm lucky," Schartner said. "Thirty-three years ago, I was picked and was fortunate to be at the right place at the right time."

Coaching longevity II: Lakes coach Kevin Kullby is 158-49-36 in 16 years; Warren's Jason Ahonen is 150-71-43 in 12 years; Lake Zurich's Mike Schmitz is 140-64-33 in 14 years; Round Lake's Hugo Tellez is 134-39-27 in 10 years; Carmel Catholic's Ray Krawzak is 82-56-14 in eight years; Vernon Hills' Mike McCaulou is 64-52-12 in seven years.

New turf: Round Lake plans to play its first game in the school's new stadium on Saturday, Sept. 21 against New Trier.

"The facility will be great for Round Lake," Panthers coach Hugo Tellez said. In the past, when it rained, things got canceled. With the turf, that will all change."

New coaching addition: Andy Flaker takes over as coach at Grant for Bryan Mark, who moved to California for another high school coaching job. Flaker has been an assistant under Mark for the last five years and has been at Grant for eight. He graduated from Johnsburg in 2002.

Top Lake County players to watch: Carlos Aguilar (Vernon Hills Sr. MF), Owen Aaberg (Grayslake Central Sr. MF), Brendon Castallianos (Wauconda Sr MF), Preston Chartier (Wauconda Sr. GK), Omar Cordova (Grayslake North Sr. D), Ben Dixon (Stevenson Sr. MF), Nolan Ehlers (Warren Sr. D), Patrick Graham (Libertyville Sr. MF/F), Darren Gray (Mundelein Sr. F), Marqiis Haywood (Round Lake Sr. F), Andrew Juarez (Lake Zurich Sr. MF), Camden Kowalski (Mundelein Sr. MF), Rei Kubota (Stevenson Sr. D), Evan Larsen (Lakes Sr. D/F), Brady Lucas (Lakes Sr. MF), Ian McKernan (Carmel Sr. MF), Aman Naqvi (Lake Zurich Jr. F), Mickey Reilly (Libertyville Sr. MF), Ulysses Ruiz (Wauconda Sr. F), Ishaan Shah (Warren Jr. MF), Luke Underwood (Libertyville Sr. MF)

  Lakes head coach Kevin Kullby is one of the winningest boys soccer coaches in Lake County. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.