Warren, Libertyville set for
NSC heavyweight bout
By Tom Hamilton II
Pick any year in recent memory, and you’ll find the Warren and Libertyville in every boys high school soccer poll, with many appearances near the top. Each team boasts a Class 3A state championship trophy in the last 10 years.
Libertyville won it all in 2015. Warren was the 2012 state champ and topped the Chicagoland Soccer Final 50 state poll last spring when there was no tournament.
The two teams have produced a galaxy of prep stars, some of whom have gone on to achieve incredible success on the field in college.
That consistent dominance is no coincidence. Both teams feature a large portion of players from the deep pool of the Greater Libertyville Soccer Association’s vaunted FC 1974 program.
On Tuesday, many of those FC 1974 teammates will become foes for 80 minutes as 21st-ranked Libertyville (9-4-3 overall, 2-1-2 in the North Suburban Conference) hosts 17th-ranked Warren (9-2-4, 3-0-2).
The players on the field won’t be the only ones reuniting with old friends.
“I would consider [Libertyville head coach Kevin Thunholm] a friend,” said Warren head coach Jason Ahonen. “I text and talk to him often about our programs, picking each other's brain about the game and trying to find ways to promote/grow the high school side of the game.”
Thunholm noted that he holds “lots of respect for what Jason has done with his program.”
Both coaches have certainly earned that respect this season. Both schools have younger, less-experienced squads this season than they have in recent times, but both are writing impressive new chapters in the storied histories of their respective programs.
“After losing as many players as we did last year there was a lot of uncertainty going into the season. But these boys [have] come together, worked very hard, and it has been a joy to watch,” said Ahonen.
Thunholm had similar feelings about his young Wildcats’ growth so far.
“Early we were trying to get to know and trust each other,” Coach Thunholm reflected. “We have found our identity and have become a very close team.”
Tuesday’s match figures to be a low-scoring affair if the season’s trends continue, but that’s not for lack of attacking talent. Both teams have built their success this season on the foundations of rock-solid defending.
Warren senior goalkeeper George McAtee has compiled a stingy .533 goals-against average, and senior center back Cael Harris provides steady leadership both in the back and in the attack, where he’s delivered a team-leading five goals.
For Libertyville, senior Michael Krukonis has emerged as an elite shot-stopper, helping the Wildcats earn six shutouts against an impressive array of attacking talents. Versatile junior Alek LaRoi’s conversion from striker to center back has also proved to be a revelation for the Wildcats.
The midfield battle will pit Libertyville junior Andrew Phillips, a quick and crafty junior, against Warren’s indefatigable duo of senior Matt Hegge and junior Michael Galvan. Phillips will look to provide the vision to conjure chances for the Wildcats, while the Blue Devils’ balanced attack features creative senior forward Alexis Medina (two goals, five assists), gifted junior Miguel Garcia (three goals), and marauding sophomore wingback Lucas Ahonen (seven assists), the coach’s son.
While both squads will look forward to catching up with their club teammates, expect neither to let the reunion vibes distract them from the business at hand. With just two conference matches to go and both teams still firmly in the hunt for the title -- Warren shares the top spot with Lake Zurich, while Libertyville can join them at the top with a win and Lake Zurich loss.
Fans can expect 80 electric minutes in Libertyville on Tuesday night.
NSC heavyweight bout
By Tom Hamilton II
Pick any year in recent memory, and you’ll find the Warren and Libertyville in every boys high school soccer poll, with many appearances near the top. Each team boasts a Class 3A state championship trophy in the last 10 years.
Libertyville won it all in 2015. Warren was the 2012 state champ and topped the Chicagoland Soccer Final 50 state poll last spring when there was no tournament.
The two teams have produced a galaxy of prep stars, some of whom have gone on to achieve incredible success on the field in college.
That consistent dominance is no coincidence. Both teams feature a large portion of players from the deep pool of the Greater Libertyville Soccer Association’s vaunted FC 1974 program.
On Tuesday, many of those FC 1974 teammates will become foes for 80 minutes as 21st-ranked Libertyville (9-4-3 overall, 2-1-2 in the North Suburban Conference) hosts 17th-ranked Warren (9-2-4, 3-0-2).
The players on the field won’t be the only ones reuniting with old friends.
“I would consider [Libertyville head coach Kevin Thunholm] a friend,” said Warren head coach Jason Ahonen. “I text and talk to him often about our programs, picking each other's brain about the game and trying to find ways to promote/grow the high school side of the game.”
Thunholm noted that he holds “lots of respect for what Jason has done with his program.”
Both coaches have certainly earned that respect this season. Both schools have younger, less-experienced squads this season than they have in recent times, but both are writing impressive new chapters in the storied histories of their respective programs.
“After losing as many players as we did last year there was a lot of uncertainty going into the season. But these boys [have] come together, worked very hard, and it has been a joy to watch,” said Ahonen.
Thunholm had similar feelings about his young Wildcats’ growth so far.
“Early we were trying to get to know and trust each other,” Coach Thunholm reflected. “We have found our identity and have become a very close team.”
Tuesday’s match figures to be a low-scoring affair if the season’s trends continue, but that’s not for lack of attacking talent. Both teams have built their success this season on the foundations of rock-solid defending.
Warren senior goalkeeper George McAtee has compiled a stingy .533 goals-against average, and senior center back Cael Harris provides steady leadership both in the back and in the attack, where he’s delivered a team-leading five goals.
For Libertyville, senior Michael Krukonis has emerged as an elite shot-stopper, helping the Wildcats earn six shutouts against an impressive array of attacking talents. Versatile junior Alek LaRoi’s conversion from striker to center back has also proved to be a revelation for the Wildcats.
The midfield battle will pit Libertyville junior Andrew Phillips, a quick and crafty junior, against Warren’s indefatigable duo of senior Matt Hegge and junior Michael Galvan. Phillips will look to provide the vision to conjure chances for the Wildcats, while the Blue Devils’ balanced attack features creative senior forward Alexis Medina (two goals, five assists), gifted junior Miguel Garcia (three goals), and marauding sophomore wingback Lucas Ahonen (seven assists), the coach’s son.
While both squads will look forward to catching up with their club teammates, expect neither to let the reunion vibes distract them from the business at hand. With just two conference matches to go and both teams still firmly in the hunt for the title -- Warren shares the top spot with Lake Zurich, while Libertyville can join them at the top with a win and Lake Zurich loss.
Fans can expect 80 electric minutes in Libertyville on Tuesday night.