Four for the show
Bartlett, Libertyville, Morton, Quincy to battle for state title
By Dave Owen
With more than 800 wins between them, Libertyville’s Andy Bitta and Quincy’s Matt Longo have achieved almost every feat but one: a state championship.
That pursuit is just one storyline of note for an interesting field of four teams at this weekend’s Class 3A state finals in Hoffman Estates.
Morton is another program with a long history, having won the state title in 2011.
And the fourth semifinalist has its own interesting yet unlikely story: Bartlett finished 6-14-0 last year and lost in the regional quarterfinals. Under new coach Vince DiNuzzo, the Hawks are 17-7-2 and past sectionals for the first time in school history.
Bartlett faces Quincy (19-4-2) in the 7 p.m. semifinal, after Morton and Libertyville (17-3-1) square off in the 5 p.m. Class 3A opener.
Tim Riordan (13 goals), T.J. Ivkovich (10 goals, four assists) and Oliver Saile (seven goals, 12 assists) are the offensive leaders for Bartlett. Saile and defender Josh Merkel are co-captains for the Hawks.
Quincy’s offense is led by Riley Roth (20 goals) and Drew Chisholm (11 goals, six assists).
“Our success depends on our defensive pressure,” said Longo (371 career wins), who guided Quincy to fourth place at state in 1995. “We like to start with our forwards and force mistakes on our offensive end of the field.”
Despite the geographic gap between Quincy (across the Mississippi River from Missouri) and Bartlett, the teams have a common foe: the Hawks beat United (East Moline) 3-1 on Oct. 6, four days after Quincy beat that squad 7-3.
Bitta’s 434-133-60 record at Libertyville includes state runner-up finishes in 1986 and 2010. One title game appearance went two overtimes, the other four.
The 2015 Wildcats have outscored opponents 9-1 over five postseason games. A 1-0 supersectional win over Evanston avenged a season-opening loss to the Wildkits by the same score.
Top producers for Libertyville are Nate Edmonds (14 goals) and Liam O’Connell (19 assists). Captains Kevin Reilly and Tucker Goebeler have seven goals each. Brant Kym starts at goalkeeper.
“We must play great defense and finish shots we get," Bitta said.
Morton (26-2-0) has been a consistent power in Illinois. With a 126-12 record over the last five years, the Mustangs haven’t lost more than three games in a season during that span.
After surviving a sectional final battle with Downers Grove South (winning on PKs), Morton beat Naperville Central 3-0 at supersectionals Tuesday as Leo Delgado scored two goals. Now Libertyville poses the next challenge.
“Libertyville is a well-coached, fundamentally sound, quick team,” Morton coach Mike Caruso said. “We will need to play our best game against them and use our speed and skill along with playing with high intensity.”
Friday’s winners meet for the state championship at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Bartlett, Libertyville, Morton, Quincy to battle for state title
By Dave Owen
With more than 800 wins between them, Libertyville’s Andy Bitta and Quincy’s Matt Longo have achieved almost every feat but one: a state championship.
That pursuit is just one storyline of note for an interesting field of four teams at this weekend’s Class 3A state finals in Hoffman Estates.
Morton is another program with a long history, having won the state title in 2011.
And the fourth semifinalist has its own interesting yet unlikely story: Bartlett finished 6-14-0 last year and lost in the regional quarterfinals. Under new coach Vince DiNuzzo, the Hawks are 17-7-2 and past sectionals for the first time in school history.
Bartlett faces Quincy (19-4-2) in the 7 p.m. semifinal, after Morton and Libertyville (17-3-1) square off in the 5 p.m. Class 3A opener.
Tim Riordan (13 goals), T.J. Ivkovich (10 goals, four assists) and Oliver Saile (seven goals, 12 assists) are the offensive leaders for Bartlett. Saile and defender Josh Merkel are co-captains for the Hawks.
Quincy’s offense is led by Riley Roth (20 goals) and Drew Chisholm (11 goals, six assists).
“Our success depends on our defensive pressure,” said Longo (371 career wins), who guided Quincy to fourth place at state in 1995. “We like to start with our forwards and force mistakes on our offensive end of the field.”
Despite the geographic gap between Quincy (across the Mississippi River from Missouri) and Bartlett, the teams have a common foe: the Hawks beat United (East Moline) 3-1 on Oct. 6, four days after Quincy beat that squad 7-3.
Bitta’s 434-133-60 record at Libertyville includes state runner-up finishes in 1986 and 2010. One title game appearance went two overtimes, the other four.
The 2015 Wildcats have outscored opponents 9-1 over five postseason games. A 1-0 supersectional win over Evanston avenged a season-opening loss to the Wildkits by the same score.
Top producers for Libertyville are Nate Edmonds (14 goals) and Liam O’Connell (19 assists). Captains Kevin Reilly and Tucker Goebeler have seven goals each. Brant Kym starts at goalkeeper.
“We must play great defense and finish shots we get," Bitta said.
Morton (26-2-0) has been a consistent power in Illinois. With a 126-12 record over the last five years, the Mustangs haven’t lost more than three games in a season during that span.
After surviving a sectional final battle with Downers Grove South (winning on PKs), Morton beat Naperville Central 3-0 at supersectionals Tuesday as Leo Delgado scored two goals. Now Libertyville poses the next challenge.
“Libertyville is a well-coached, fundamentally sound, quick team,” Morton coach Mike Caruso said. “We will need to play our best game against them and use our speed and skill along with playing with high intensity.”
Friday’s winners meet for the state championship at 7 p.m. Saturday.