Girls soccer: Libertyville blanks Warren

Libertyville's girls soccer team is up for a challenge every time it steps onto a field and the Wildcats knew their North Suburban Conference contest on the road was going to be a big battle against Warren Thursday night.

Both teams entered the match unbeaten and each team had allowed limited goals this season.

Libertyville prevailed over Warren 2-0 in Gurnee as Northern Iowa-bound Payton Nolan and Mia Zaccaro each scored for the Wildcats (7-0, 2-0).

"I just tell the team every game, just take the next game, the next step and really play our game," Libertyville coach Daniel De Paz said. "We're not worried who were playing, which was tough in this game because they know so many girls on the other side. Just take it one game at a time, play and focus on our game and we'll worry about our results."

The Wildcats have been playing at such a high level and are one of the best teams in the state with wins over Barrington, New Trier and now Warren (6-1-3, 0-1).

They have only allowed 1 goal over the 7 games and that was to New Trier on Saturday.

Libertyville's defense was led by Lauren Milz, Riley Brennan, Addie Whisenand, Lanie Szatmary and keeper Hannah Vieth (4 saves).

"Just knowing these girls so well," Milz said. "I've played with all of them for all of my life. I feel the bond and connection. That helps us so much back there."

Nolan scored the opening goal for her fifth this season off an assist from Avery Gleason in the ninth minute. Nolan missed the New Trier game with the stomach flu on Saturday.

"That was the one game I didn't want to miss," Nolan said. "It was a big game and I was glad we won without me. Honestly, we have a great connection off the field. So many girls have played together since we've been really young."

Zaccaro had the other Wildcats' goal in the 79th minute off Lauren Rocco's assist.

Warren had some chances to score and its keeper, Patricia Georgiou, had 5 saves.

"We knew it was going to be a battle and it always is with Libertyville," Warren coach Ryan McCabe said. "A lot of these girls know each other from growing up and playing against each other for years. It's always fun to play against your buddies.

"First half, we were second to any ball in the air, something that was uncharacteristic for us. Once we started to do that we were able to get into a rhythm offensively. That's probably our biggest downfall. (Libertyville) was a physical team, very fast skilled players and we've seen that from some other teams. They're definitely up there to some of the best teams we've seen this year."