Libertyville earns 2nd shot at Naperville N.
1-0 win over Collinsville delivers finals rematch
By Mike Garofola
HOFFMAN ESTATES -- After his soccer club lost in a pulsating end-to-end state championship game with Naperville North last year in the state final, Kevin Thunholm said the conversation was clear and succinct on the bus ride home.
"The talk wasn't about our disappointment in losing (1-0) to Naperville North," he said. "The focus during the ride was all about getting back into the final -- and hopefully against North for a second go at them."
It wasn't easy, but the Wildcats achieved that goal for a dream matchup -- two undefeated and untied teams ranked no. 1 and no. 2 in the state and among the nation's elite meeting again with a state title on the line.
"This is what we wanted, what everyone hoped for, and now it's here," said Thunholm, whose lads survived a nervous final few moments in regulation to defeat Collinsville 1-0 to advance.
"It was an unbelievably long night with both AA games going to kicks, then Naperville North and Lake Park playing 100 minutes," Thunholm added. "(We) stood around way past our original 7 p.m. kickoff, but somehow the guys came out and started well before finding themselves in a real battle against a very good Collinsville team."
Downstate Collinsville (19-6-2) looked the part of serious underdog in the first quarter hour as the Wildcats' terrific team speed, strength, size and boisterous support from its large fan-base appeared to be all the returning Class 3A runners-up would need to put the downstate travelers away with one or two early knock-out punches.
And the logistics didn't do the Kahoks any favors.
"We drove nearly five hours to get here, it was cold, there was a long wait for this final semifinal to be played, and our fans were outnumbered by a school that had just a thirty minute ride to get here," said Collinsville manager Rob Lugge, who in just his second year in charge guided his team to its first trip here since 2007.
The Kahoks take advantage of their advantage of hosting both regionals and sectionals to send off top-seeded Edwardsville in its sectional opener with a Zane Baker game-winner in the 80th minute. They then used another Baker strike, this one in the 68th minute, to defeat Mount Carmel in the supersectionals and book the ninth state appearance in program history.
"We have 14 seniors on our team this year, and all of them came here hoping to get a chance to win the fifth state title for Collinsville," said Lugge, who despite the loss and late hour took plenty of time to chat with reporters afterwards.
"So even after a rough start tonight against a team as good as Libertyville, I felt when we finally got ourselves back into the game we gave ourselves a chance to win and advance to play Naperville North."
Collinsville looked to be in trouble from the opening whistle. A big part of that came from an inability to keep Michigan-bound Evan Rasmussen under control. More came from a Wildcats attack fueled by Mickey Reilly, who ran the show with terrific pace, purpose and industry as he has all throughout the 2018 campaign.
"The first half was probably the best 40 minutes we played this season," said Thunholm. "It's just too bad we didn't finish any of our chances, because I felt if we got (one goal) we could have found another one or two more before the half."
Keeper Zach ElGhatit has a strong game for Libertyville (22-0-0)
"Our first 20 minutes were fantastic, but Collinsville had some great players," he said. "They came back at us the rest of the first half and really made us work for everything we could get in the second half."
Libertyville peppered its opponent with a variety of attempts, all coming from some lovely buildup, or from targeting their big man Rasmussen up-top> The forward's size and sheer strength make him one of the best in the business in both the state and nation.
"We were a little overwhelmed at no. 9 (Rasmussen) early on," said Lugge. "(Not) only because of how big and strong he was, but he was a lot quicker than we thought."
Rasmussen created a corner for the Wildcats in the third minute, then put one onto the roof after he, Reilly and Jack VanDixhorn opened up the Kahoks defense.
Reilly went over the bar on a similiar piece of buildup, this time with Mason Williams inspiring action from his place along the backline. Patrick Grahm had a go when four of his mates moved the ball quickly through the Collinsville midfield.
When the Wildcats played quick, using sharp switches and movement, their opponent was forced to defend more than it wanted to and dropped more behind the ball in an effort to slow a rampant Libertyville club which had bagged 20 goals in its five postseason games.
"When our attack is playing that well, it allows our backline to really slow up our opponents because their focus changes towards defending and not attacking," said Wildcats co-captain Grant Herbek, who will play next fall at DePaul.
Collinsville's Logan Whitehead was allowed a free header in-close on ElGhatit, which he saved easily in the 26th minute before making his first big save on the night on a point-blank blast by Luke Liljegren moments later when he ventured far off his line to save the day.
After surviving this scare, the Wildcats responded with one of their own just before the intermission after Reilly created a corner for Ryan Klainos. His inward-swinging serve was taken off the line by Spencer Vlasek to keep things goal-less at the break.
"With us not finishing our chances in the first half, we allowed Collinsville to get their feet underneath them, and to begin to play with more confidence," offered Thunholm. "They're a very good team playing that way (which) I saw the other night in their super with Mount Carmel."
It was there that the Wildcats manager saw first hand at how well the Kahoks would be a dangerous side when allowed to whip balls into the box, which senior Trey Przybysz was allowed to on far too many occasions to Thunholm's liking.
"No. 6 (Przybysz) had a strong left foot, and when given space, he put a lot of pressure on us in the second half," said Thunholm
The Wildcats struck first with the eventual game-winner just three minutes into the second period.
That's when VanDixhorn put Rasmussen through near the edge - followed by a moment of brilliance from the star forward - whose quick move to his right beat one defender into the box, allowed him to square his shoulders and get a great look on frame and the position of Kahoks keeper Tate Wyatt.
With his angled shot from the right, Rasmussen buried his 34th of the season into the far inside corner of Wyatt's net in stunning fashion at 43 minutes.
"Scoring the first goal really helped settle us, but Collinsville didn't go away," said Herbek. "Their constant long balls into the box were dangerous. Fortunately, Zach came through when we needed him to."
Lugge had confidence in his squad.
"This is a very resilient bunch that I have, so I knew if we could keep our focus, we would create chances, and maybe get back even to force their hand a little," said the coach.
Collinsville fahioned a responce to the Rasmussen goal almost immediately. The Kahoks forced ElGhatit into action twice, and needed Brendan Quigley to parry a dangerous ball out of the area.
ElGhatit saved an effort from Trey Simpson, then watched Nick Guarino clear a ball at the far post from Przybysz.
It should have become 2-0 five minutes from time when Rasmussen found himself in a 1-v.-1 with Wyatt. Bt his attempt to chip the keeper, who came off his line into no-man's land, went over the woodwork.
The Wildcats nearly paid for the missed opportunity, but Simpson's header was saved by ElGhatit. That preceded an unsettling 60 seconds for the Wildcats faithful, and for Thunholm and his club even more.
When yet another well-aimed and -paced serve from Przybysz found its way to the head of Camden Frey, ElGhatit had to react with split-second timing to keep the near equalizer from going in as the clock neared zeros.
"I was keeping an eye on everything because it was all happening so fast," said El Ghatit, whose big 6-foot frame went into overdrive to save his club. "When their guy flicked the ball toward the goal, I knew I might be in trouble. So I moved quickly to get myself on the ball and to hold on."
"It was Zach again to help us when we needed him," said Thunholm afterwards.
"Our backline was tremendous all night, Evan got us a big goal, and we survived a ridiculously long night and a very good Collinsville team to advance into the game we've wanted since losing here one year ago."
Lugge remained positive and upbeat despite the heart-breaking defeat.
"The guys put it all out there tonight, but we lost to the better team, and that's the way sport is," he said. "We'll regroup. I know we'll be fine tomorrow, because we'll have the chance of being only one of two 3A teams in the state to finish the season with a win."
Collinsville will face Lake Park for the third place trophy at 5 p.m. Saturday.
Starting lineups
Collinsville (4-4-2)
G- Tate Wyatt
D- Spencer Pysz
D- Zac Cawvey
D- Jaret Aylsworth
D- Donovan Scott-Gass
M- Trey Przybysz
M- Ethan Wilhold
M- Zane Baker
M- Trey Simpson
F- Luke Liljegren
F- Logan Whitehead
Libertyville (4-5-1)
G- Zach ElGhatit
D- Nick Guarino
D- Grant Herbek
D- Mason Williams
D- Brendan Quigley
M- Jack VanDixhorn
M- Mickey Reilly
M- Ryan Klainos
M- Tanner Kelly
M- Patrick Graham
F- Evan Rasmussen
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Zach ElGhatit, sr., GK, Libertyville
Trey Przybysz, sr., MF, Collinsville
Officials: Jeff Ryder (referee); Rafal Zielinski (assistant); Ed Schell (assistant); Kevin Parker (4th)
Scoring Summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Libertyville: Rasmussen (VanDixhorn) 43'
1-0 win over Collinsville delivers finals rematch
By Mike Garofola
HOFFMAN ESTATES -- After his soccer club lost in a pulsating end-to-end state championship game with Naperville North last year in the state final, Kevin Thunholm said the conversation was clear and succinct on the bus ride home.
"The talk wasn't about our disappointment in losing (1-0) to Naperville North," he said. "The focus during the ride was all about getting back into the final -- and hopefully against North for a second go at them."
It wasn't easy, but the Wildcats achieved that goal for a dream matchup -- two undefeated and untied teams ranked no. 1 and no. 2 in the state and among the nation's elite meeting again with a state title on the line.
"This is what we wanted, what everyone hoped for, and now it's here," said Thunholm, whose lads survived a nervous final few moments in regulation to defeat Collinsville 1-0 to advance.
"It was an unbelievably long night with both AA games going to kicks, then Naperville North and Lake Park playing 100 minutes," Thunholm added. "(We) stood around way past our original 7 p.m. kickoff, but somehow the guys came out and started well before finding themselves in a real battle against a very good Collinsville team."
Downstate Collinsville (19-6-2) looked the part of serious underdog in the first quarter hour as the Wildcats' terrific team speed, strength, size and boisterous support from its large fan-base appeared to be all the returning Class 3A runners-up would need to put the downstate travelers away with one or two early knock-out punches.
And the logistics didn't do the Kahoks any favors.
"We drove nearly five hours to get here, it was cold, there was a long wait for this final semifinal to be played, and our fans were outnumbered by a school that had just a thirty minute ride to get here," said Collinsville manager Rob Lugge, who in just his second year in charge guided his team to its first trip here since 2007.
The Kahoks take advantage of their advantage of hosting both regionals and sectionals to send off top-seeded Edwardsville in its sectional opener with a Zane Baker game-winner in the 80th minute. They then used another Baker strike, this one in the 68th minute, to defeat Mount Carmel in the supersectionals and book the ninth state appearance in program history.
"We have 14 seniors on our team this year, and all of them came here hoping to get a chance to win the fifth state title for Collinsville," said Lugge, who despite the loss and late hour took plenty of time to chat with reporters afterwards.
"So even after a rough start tonight against a team as good as Libertyville, I felt when we finally got ourselves back into the game we gave ourselves a chance to win and advance to play Naperville North."
Collinsville looked to be in trouble from the opening whistle. A big part of that came from an inability to keep Michigan-bound Evan Rasmussen under control. More came from a Wildcats attack fueled by Mickey Reilly, who ran the show with terrific pace, purpose and industry as he has all throughout the 2018 campaign.
"The first half was probably the best 40 minutes we played this season," said Thunholm. "It's just too bad we didn't finish any of our chances, because I felt if we got (one goal) we could have found another one or two more before the half."
Keeper Zach ElGhatit has a strong game for Libertyville (22-0-0)
"Our first 20 minutes were fantastic, but Collinsville had some great players," he said. "They came back at us the rest of the first half and really made us work for everything we could get in the second half."
Libertyville peppered its opponent with a variety of attempts, all coming from some lovely buildup, or from targeting their big man Rasmussen up-top> The forward's size and sheer strength make him one of the best in the business in both the state and nation.
"We were a little overwhelmed at no. 9 (Rasmussen) early on," said Lugge. "(Not) only because of how big and strong he was, but he was a lot quicker than we thought."
Rasmussen created a corner for the Wildcats in the third minute, then put one onto the roof after he, Reilly and Jack VanDixhorn opened up the Kahoks defense.
Reilly went over the bar on a similiar piece of buildup, this time with Mason Williams inspiring action from his place along the backline. Patrick Grahm had a go when four of his mates moved the ball quickly through the Collinsville midfield.
When the Wildcats played quick, using sharp switches and movement, their opponent was forced to defend more than it wanted to and dropped more behind the ball in an effort to slow a rampant Libertyville club which had bagged 20 goals in its five postseason games.
"When our attack is playing that well, it allows our backline to really slow up our opponents because their focus changes towards defending and not attacking," said Wildcats co-captain Grant Herbek, who will play next fall at DePaul.
Collinsville's Logan Whitehead was allowed a free header in-close on ElGhatit, which he saved easily in the 26th minute before making his first big save on the night on a point-blank blast by Luke Liljegren moments later when he ventured far off his line to save the day.
After surviving this scare, the Wildcats responded with one of their own just before the intermission after Reilly created a corner for Ryan Klainos. His inward-swinging serve was taken off the line by Spencer Vlasek to keep things goal-less at the break.
"With us not finishing our chances in the first half, we allowed Collinsville to get their feet underneath them, and to begin to play with more confidence," offered Thunholm. "They're a very good team playing that way (which) I saw the other night in their super with Mount Carmel."
It was there that the Wildcats manager saw first hand at how well the Kahoks would be a dangerous side when allowed to whip balls into the box, which senior Trey Przybysz was allowed to on far too many occasions to Thunholm's liking.
"No. 6 (Przybysz) had a strong left foot, and when given space, he put a lot of pressure on us in the second half," said Thunholm
The Wildcats struck first with the eventual game-winner just three minutes into the second period.
That's when VanDixhorn put Rasmussen through near the edge - followed by a moment of brilliance from the star forward - whose quick move to his right beat one defender into the box, allowed him to square his shoulders and get a great look on frame and the position of Kahoks keeper Tate Wyatt.
With his angled shot from the right, Rasmussen buried his 34th of the season into the far inside corner of Wyatt's net in stunning fashion at 43 minutes.
"Scoring the first goal really helped settle us, but Collinsville didn't go away," said Herbek. "Their constant long balls into the box were dangerous. Fortunately, Zach came through when we needed him to."
Lugge had confidence in his squad.
"This is a very resilient bunch that I have, so I knew if we could keep our focus, we would create chances, and maybe get back even to force their hand a little," said the coach.
Collinsville fahioned a responce to the Rasmussen goal almost immediately. The Kahoks forced ElGhatit into action twice, and needed Brendan Quigley to parry a dangerous ball out of the area.
ElGhatit saved an effort from Trey Simpson, then watched Nick Guarino clear a ball at the far post from Przybysz.
It should have become 2-0 five minutes from time when Rasmussen found himself in a 1-v.-1 with Wyatt. Bt his attempt to chip the keeper, who came off his line into no-man's land, went over the woodwork.
The Wildcats nearly paid for the missed opportunity, but Simpson's header was saved by ElGhatit. That preceded an unsettling 60 seconds for the Wildcats faithful, and for Thunholm and his club even more.
When yet another well-aimed and -paced serve from Przybysz found its way to the head of Camden Frey, ElGhatit had to react with split-second timing to keep the near equalizer from going in as the clock neared zeros.
"I was keeping an eye on everything because it was all happening so fast," said El Ghatit, whose big 6-foot frame went into overdrive to save his club. "When their guy flicked the ball toward the goal, I knew I might be in trouble. So I moved quickly to get myself on the ball and to hold on."
"It was Zach again to help us when we needed him," said Thunholm afterwards.
"Our backline was tremendous all night, Evan got us a big goal, and we survived a ridiculously long night and a very good Collinsville team to advance into the game we've wanted since losing here one year ago."
Lugge remained positive and upbeat despite the heart-breaking defeat.
"The guys put it all out there tonight, but we lost to the better team, and that's the way sport is," he said. "We'll regroup. I know we'll be fine tomorrow, because we'll have the chance of being only one of two 3A teams in the state to finish the season with a win."
Collinsville will face Lake Park for the third place trophy at 5 p.m. Saturday.
Starting lineups
Collinsville (4-4-2)
G- Tate Wyatt
D- Spencer Pysz
D- Zac Cawvey
D- Jaret Aylsworth
D- Donovan Scott-Gass
M- Trey Przybysz
M- Ethan Wilhold
M- Zane Baker
M- Trey Simpson
F- Luke Liljegren
F- Logan Whitehead
Libertyville (4-5-1)
G- Zach ElGhatit
D- Nick Guarino
D- Grant Herbek
D- Mason Williams
D- Brendan Quigley
M- Jack VanDixhorn
M- Mickey Reilly
M- Ryan Klainos
M- Tanner Kelly
M- Patrick Graham
F- Evan Rasmussen
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Zach ElGhatit, sr., GK, Libertyville
Trey Przybysz, sr., MF, Collinsville
Officials: Jeff Ryder (referee); Rafal Zielinski (assistant); Ed Schell (assistant); Kevin Parker (4th)
Scoring Summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Libertyville: Rasmussen (VanDixhorn) 43'