Libertyville's revenge tour
continues vs. Glenbrook North
Wildcats take sectional title, deliver payback for previous loss
By Mike Garofola
GURNEE -- Libertyville set up a supersectional final with Evanston when Jenna Krakowski's stunning long-range volley proved the difference in the Wildcats 1-0 Warren Sectional title win over top-seed Glenbrook North on Friday night at the O'Plaine Campus.
The sectional plaque is the 12th in program history and second-consecutive for the Wildcats. In 2021, Libertyville advanced to the finals, finished third and brought home the program’s sixth state trophy.
"It was a very hard-fought and difficult game to play tonight against a very good opponent," said manager Daniel DePaz. "We are all proud of the effort put forth on both sides of the ball to help us get this win and move on one step further."
"We were fortunate to be able to play Stevenson once again (a 4-1 sectional semifinal win May 24)," said senior Lauren Rocco, who like so many of her teammates has become an interchangeable part for DePaz and his assistant Paul Bravo. “They beat us in our conference finale (1-0, May 9), and tonight with Glenbrook North, who beat us earlier (3-1, April 23) and now (Evanston) with the chance to avenge an earlier loss to them (3-2 in the Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic on April 13).
“It's really amazing that the planets have aligned like they have."
"Everyone understands what their role is on this team, but all of us are willing to play wherever we're needed, and to do whatever is needed to get the result."
After its master class effort in its revenge victory against Stevenson, the Wildcats set out to dominate from the opening whistle against Glenbrook North. But each team struggled to turn its usual possession-styled attack into high-percentage pass completions and quality chances on frame.
"I think both teams may have come in thinking it would be more of a possession, free-flowing game," said Krakowski, who with classmate Pru Babat shared Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors. “But it never turned out that way, because the game started so fast. Each team was going hard into the ball and not really allowing any time or space on the ball.”
Both sides needed to withstand intense pressure during various phases of this 80-minute affair. Glenbrook North (20-2-1) was wary of Avery Gleason and Dakota Lyons up-top. Libertyville (17-3-2) kept a close eye on Margy Porta (21 goals), and her two front-line mates Lily Denk and Ella Panek, who were key figures in the Spartans 3-0 sectional semifinal win over Fremd.
"We knew no. 3 (Porta) was a great player, someone who can create, with and without the ball,” said Babat. “It was important that we kept her in front of us as much as we could and to pass her off to another (defender) whenever we needed to."
"Both teams were really stingy in the back," said Glenbrook North manager Tony Valsamis. “We had a couple of chances along the way, hitting the post in the first half. It was a hard-fought, defensive battle, which is kind of what we all expected.”
Libertyville had an early chance when a free kick from the endline by Rogers was poorly cleared from the area. That gave Lyons room to operate after collecting the short ball.
She dribbled free to her left before heading into the box, where Glenbrook North’s alert Dani Gichner made a well-timed challenge to defuse the threat in the 13th minute.
"Dani and Annie Philbin were terrific the other night in our game with Fremd, and once again the two of them played great along the back for us," said Valsamis.
Morissa Lambert, who will play for American University in the Patriot League that Porta will play in at Boston University, has delivered many purposeful and dangerous balls of late and collected 14 helpers on the season. Her well-paced ball in the 17th minute might have led to another if a soul for the Spartans had been at the back post.
There was cause for optimism for the Libertyville faithful when their favorite team went through a spell of attacking soccer. The 5-6-minute flurry saw Rogers go over the bar, Gleason test Spartans keeper, Molly Noll, and some sharp combination play from Lyons and Rocco that sent Gleason through but was stopped by an offsides flag.
Glenbrook North had a big chance denied when Libertyville keeper Kate Hopma came to the rescue and turned around a wicked cracker aimed inside the back back post from Panek that seemed like it would open the scoring in the 31st minute.
"Kate came through for us when we needed her most," said Krakowski with a smile.
The near-miss inspired the Spartans, whose attack was now brimming with confidence. That included outside backs Kat and Nayia Sellas moving forward during the final 10 minutes of the first half.
"I think we felt we had a goal coming after Panek just missed, and I thought we had one when Annie (Philbin) was at the back post to meet Lambert's corner," said Valsamis.
It was clear from the onset of the second half that both clubs had turned up the urgency and intensity. That produced a handful of corners, deep throws and an occasional free kick while referee Trevor Falk let both sides play.
Emily Masinter released Panek with a nice early ball up the left side that forced Libertyville’s backline of Babat, Stella Bechtold, Riley Brennan and Audrey Brua to shift and move appropriately, while staying organized and aware before ending the Spartans threat.
This WIldcats defensive unit, which could fittingly be referred to as the “Killer B's.” has impressed throughout the postseason and has conceded just one goal in their last five matches.
The break in this game came right at the hour after a lightning-quick sequence that saw Spartans keeper Molly Noll venture far off her line to challenge a 50/50 ball with an arriving Gleason.
The two collided and the ball spilled free toward midfield, which allowed Noll to retreat in earnest to protect her unguarded net.
Krakowski seized upon the opportunity and skillfully sent a long-range, one-timer into the net from 35 yards to send the Wildcats crowd into a frenzy, and the Glenbrook North bench into a rage.
"We all have so much confidence in Jenna when it comes to those shots from a distance," said Rocco. “She takes them from time to time with a lot of accuracy. Tonight she was dead on.”
"All I really thought about when that all happened was to have a shot on frame and see what happens," said Krakowski of her stunning game-winner.
"We were disappointed that no foul was called on that 50-50 challenge," began Valsamis. “In our opinion Molly had control of the ball (thus) should have been protected.
"It all happened so quickly, but the referee never looked to the A.R. on that side of the field for any help. I would think, in a game of this importance, the two of them would have at least concurred to sort things out."
Once the distraction of the goal was put aside, Glenbrook North regrouped and went in search of the the equalizer with 20 minutes remaining.
Panek had a half-chance minutes later; then Babat cleared potential trouble that Porta and Panek devised.
Despite the constant pressure put forth by the Spartans, Libertyville refused to be pried open in its own end and showed terrific character and confidence in each player to manage a frantic, stress-filled stretch before time.
With the Wildcats forwards running hard at the Spartans backline to help keep the pressure up, the midfield did its best to win first, and second balls.
Glenbrook North just could not generate anything of quality on frame before Trevor Falk ended this contest with a final whistle.
"In the end, despite the call that we disagreed on, it was a game that says everything good about high school soccer," Valsamis said. “My hats off to Libertyville, and to my girls. We now have to say goodbye to seniors Denk, Lambert, Porta, Kat Sellas and Kate Rassin who have been with us since their freshman year and have been great leaders and role models."
Libertyville relished the victory.
"I am so proud of my teammates and especially the play of Jenna (Krakowski), not only for her game-winner but her all-around play in the midfield,” said Rocco. “nd Pru (Babat), who we all trust so much in the back, together with the rest of our backline has played unbelievable soccer," said Rocco.
Starting lineups
Glenbrook North (4-3-3)
G- Molly Noll
D- Nayia Sellas
D- Annie Philbin
D- Dani Gichner
D- Kat Sellas
M- Rachel Leiter
M- Morissa Lambert
M- Emily Masinger
F- Ella Panek
F- Margy Porta
F- Lily Denk
Libertyville (4-4-2)
G- Kate Hopma
D- Stella Bechtold
D- Pru Babat
D- Riley Brennan
D- Audrey Brua
M- Abby Gordon
M- Sally Grace Rogers
M- Jenna Krakowski
M- Paige Gleason
F- Dakota Lyons
F- Avery Gleason
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match:
Pru Babat, jr., D, Libertyville;
Jenna Krakowski, jr., MF, Libertyville
Referee: Trevor Falk
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Libertyville: Krakowski (U/A), 60'
Statistics
Shots on
Glenbrook North: 4
Libertyville: 3
Shots off
Glenbrook North: 8
Libertyville: 7
Offsides
Glenbrook North: 2
Libertyville: 3
Corner kicks
Glenbrook North: 6
Libertyville: 2
Fouls
Glenbrook North: 5
Libertyville: 5
continues vs. Glenbrook North
Wildcats take sectional title, deliver payback for previous loss
By Mike Garofola
GURNEE -- Libertyville set up a supersectional final with Evanston when Jenna Krakowski's stunning long-range volley proved the difference in the Wildcats 1-0 Warren Sectional title win over top-seed Glenbrook North on Friday night at the O'Plaine Campus.
The sectional plaque is the 12th in program history and second-consecutive for the Wildcats. In 2021, Libertyville advanced to the finals, finished third and brought home the program’s sixth state trophy.
"It was a very hard-fought and difficult game to play tonight against a very good opponent," said manager Daniel DePaz. "We are all proud of the effort put forth on both sides of the ball to help us get this win and move on one step further."
"We were fortunate to be able to play Stevenson once again (a 4-1 sectional semifinal win May 24)," said senior Lauren Rocco, who like so many of her teammates has become an interchangeable part for DePaz and his assistant Paul Bravo. “They beat us in our conference finale (1-0, May 9), and tonight with Glenbrook North, who beat us earlier (3-1, April 23) and now (Evanston) with the chance to avenge an earlier loss to them (3-2 in the Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic on April 13).
“It's really amazing that the planets have aligned like they have."
"Everyone understands what their role is on this team, but all of us are willing to play wherever we're needed, and to do whatever is needed to get the result."
After its master class effort in its revenge victory against Stevenson, the Wildcats set out to dominate from the opening whistle against Glenbrook North. But each team struggled to turn its usual possession-styled attack into high-percentage pass completions and quality chances on frame.
"I think both teams may have come in thinking it would be more of a possession, free-flowing game," said Krakowski, who with classmate Pru Babat shared Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors. “But it never turned out that way, because the game started so fast. Each team was going hard into the ball and not really allowing any time or space on the ball.”
Both sides needed to withstand intense pressure during various phases of this 80-minute affair. Glenbrook North (20-2-1) was wary of Avery Gleason and Dakota Lyons up-top. Libertyville (17-3-2) kept a close eye on Margy Porta (21 goals), and her two front-line mates Lily Denk and Ella Panek, who were key figures in the Spartans 3-0 sectional semifinal win over Fremd.
"We knew no. 3 (Porta) was a great player, someone who can create, with and without the ball,” said Babat. “It was important that we kept her in front of us as much as we could and to pass her off to another (defender) whenever we needed to."
"Both teams were really stingy in the back," said Glenbrook North manager Tony Valsamis. “We had a couple of chances along the way, hitting the post in the first half. It was a hard-fought, defensive battle, which is kind of what we all expected.”
Libertyville had an early chance when a free kick from the endline by Rogers was poorly cleared from the area. That gave Lyons room to operate after collecting the short ball.
She dribbled free to her left before heading into the box, where Glenbrook North’s alert Dani Gichner made a well-timed challenge to defuse the threat in the 13th minute.
"Dani and Annie Philbin were terrific the other night in our game with Fremd, and once again the two of them played great along the back for us," said Valsamis.
Morissa Lambert, who will play for American University in the Patriot League that Porta will play in at Boston University, has delivered many purposeful and dangerous balls of late and collected 14 helpers on the season. Her well-paced ball in the 17th minute might have led to another if a soul for the Spartans had been at the back post.
There was cause for optimism for the Libertyville faithful when their favorite team went through a spell of attacking soccer. The 5-6-minute flurry saw Rogers go over the bar, Gleason test Spartans keeper, Molly Noll, and some sharp combination play from Lyons and Rocco that sent Gleason through but was stopped by an offsides flag.
Glenbrook North had a big chance denied when Libertyville keeper Kate Hopma came to the rescue and turned around a wicked cracker aimed inside the back back post from Panek that seemed like it would open the scoring in the 31st minute.
"Kate came through for us when we needed her most," said Krakowski with a smile.
The near-miss inspired the Spartans, whose attack was now brimming with confidence. That included outside backs Kat and Nayia Sellas moving forward during the final 10 minutes of the first half.
"I think we felt we had a goal coming after Panek just missed, and I thought we had one when Annie (Philbin) was at the back post to meet Lambert's corner," said Valsamis.
It was clear from the onset of the second half that both clubs had turned up the urgency and intensity. That produced a handful of corners, deep throws and an occasional free kick while referee Trevor Falk let both sides play.
Emily Masinter released Panek with a nice early ball up the left side that forced Libertyville’s backline of Babat, Stella Bechtold, Riley Brennan and Audrey Brua to shift and move appropriately, while staying organized and aware before ending the Spartans threat.
This WIldcats defensive unit, which could fittingly be referred to as the “Killer B's.” has impressed throughout the postseason and has conceded just one goal in their last five matches.
The break in this game came right at the hour after a lightning-quick sequence that saw Spartans keeper Molly Noll venture far off her line to challenge a 50/50 ball with an arriving Gleason.
The two collided and the ball spilled free toward midfield, which allowed Noll to retreat in earnest to protect her unguarded net.
Krakowski seized upon the opportunity and skillfully sent a long-range, one-timer into the net from 35 yards to send the Wildcats crowd into a frenzy, and the Glenbrook North bench into a rage.
"We all have so much confidence in Jenna when it comes to those shots from a distance," said Rocco. “She takes them from time to time with a lot of accuracy. Tonight she was dead on.”
"All I really thought about when that all happened was to have a shot on frame and see what happens," said Krakowski of her stunning game-winner.
"We were disappointed that no foul was called on that 50-50 challenge," began Valsamis. “In our opinion Molly had control of the ball (thus) should have been protected.
"It all happened so quickly, but the referee never looked to the A.R. on that side of the field for any help. I would think, in a game of this importance, the two of them would have at least concurred to sort things out."
Once the distraction of the goal was put aside, Glenbrook North regrouped and went in search of the the equalizer with 20 minutes remaining.
Panek had a half-chance minutes later; then Babat cleared potential trouble that Porta and Panek devised.
Despite the constant pressure put forth by the Spartans, Libertyville refused to be pried open in its own end and showed terrific character and confidence in each player to manage a frantic, stress-filled stretch before time.
With the Wildcats forwards running hard at the Spartans backline to help keep the pressure up, the midfield did its best to win first, and second balls.
Glenbrook North just could not generate anything of quality on frame before Trevor Falk ended this contest with a final whistle.
"In the end, despite the call that we disagreed on, it was a game that says everything good about high school soccer," Valsamis said. “My hats off to Libertyville, and to my girls. We now have to say goodbye to seniors Denk, Lambert, Porta, Kat Sellas and Kate Rassin who have been with us since their freshman year and have been great leaders and role models."
Libertyville relished the victory.
"I am so proud of my teammates and especially the play of Jenna (Krakowski), not only for her game-winner but her all-around play in the midfield,” said Rocco. “nd Pru (Babat), who we all trust so much in the back, together with the rest of our backline has played unbelievable soccer," said Rocco.
Starting lineups
Glenbrook North (4-3-3)
G- Molly Noll
D- Nayia Sellas
D- Annie Philbin
D- Dani Gichner
D- Kat Sellas
M- Rachel Leiter
M- Morissa Lambert
M- Emily Masinger
F- Ella Panek
F- Margy Porta
F- Lily Denk
Libertyville (4-4-2)
G- Kate Hopma
D- Stella Bechtold
D- Pru Babat
D- Riley Brennan
D- Audrey Brua
M- Abby Gordon
M- Sally Grace Rogers
M- Jenna Krakowski
M- Paige Gleason
F- Dakota Lyons
F- Avery Gleason
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match:
Pru Babat, jr., D, Libertyville;
Jenna Krakowski, jr., MF, Libertyville
Referee: Trevor Falk
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Libertyville: Krakowski (U/A), 60'
Statistics
Shots on
Glenbrook North: 4
Libertyville: 3
Shots off
Glenbrook North: 8
Libertyville: 7
Offsides
Glenbrook North: 2
Libertyville: 3
Corner kicks
Glenbrook North: 6
Libertyville: 2
Fouls
Glenbrook North: 5
Libertyville: 5