Libertyville blanks Lake Forest Academy

Updated: September 3, 2011 3:54PM

A highlight-reel goal and some stellar goalkeeping sparked Libertyville to a 2-0 win over Lake Forest Academy on Saturday.

Austin Bitta and Lloyd Chatfield provided the first half of the equation in the second minute of action. Chatfield lofted a long pass to Bitta, who blasted a one-hop, left-footed volley inside the far post.

“That was a pro goal,” said Wildcats coach Andy Bitta, whose team improved to 4-1. “I loved Lloyd’s vision and Austin’s one-touch to the far post.”

Chatfield also assisted on the second goal. He lifted a pass to Tomide Owolabi, who blasted a 20-yard shot inside the near post in the 34th minute.

Lake Forest Academy (4-1-1) came to life in the second half. But all of their strong shots were denied by Wildcat keeper Zach Labrum (12 saves).

“Zach made some great saves,” Coach Bitta said. “He cut down some angles, and he was in the right place at the right time.”

Labrum made several diving spots to thwart the shots of Craig Scott, Devon Dailey and Joey Laboy. The keeper deflected praise toward the defensive line of Joe Grozier, Tanner Sanks, Ethan Andrews and Phillip Williams.

“Our defense did a great job of limiting the amount of shots they had,” Labrum said. “There were a couple of deflections, but I was ready for them.”

The defenders did a solid job of covering some injury issues. Three defensive starters missed the contest due to injury: Adam Witucki, Sam Kaplan and Keenan Busse.

Labrum was relieved to collect his second shutout of the season.

“They (Caxys) have a lot of talented players,” Labrum said. “We knew what to expect, and we knew it would be a fight.”

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