Witucki’s goal on throw-in keys Libertyville victory

Updated: October 22, 2011 10:05PM

A back issue prevented Adam Witucki from delivering any long throw-ins for the past month.

The Libertyville midfielder made up for lost time on Saturday, collecting a goal and assist to spark the Wildcats to a 3-0 victory over Palatine in an Class 3A Libertyville Regional final.

Libertyville (17-3-1) led 1-0 midway through the second half when Witucki launched a long throw into the Pirate box. Witucki received credit for the goal when a Palatine player headed the ball into his own net.

“I don’t think I’ve ever gotten a goal (on a throw),” Witucki said.

The final tally was more conventional. In the 76th minute, another Witucki throw was headed home by Nick Vogel.

“Nick has had a great last couple of games,” Witucki noted. “He really hustled to the ball, and he got a pretty good head on it.”

Palatine (13-9-1) came out flying early in the first half, but the Wildcats withstood the surge.

“Palatine was playing very well in the beginning,” Witucki said. “But we picked up our play and we switched from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2. By putting one more player in the midfield, we were able to counter them and play better defense.”

The Wildcats finally found the net in the 26th minute. Marshall Hollingsworth played a corner kick into the box, with Joey Ruppert flicking the ball just under the crossbar.

Libertyville goalkeeper Zach Labrum earned the shutout with help from the defensive line of Sam Kaplan, Keenan Busse and Joe Grozier.

The Wildcats will play in a Palatine Sectional semifinal at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

The club will face No. 4 seed Palatine Fremd, which knocked off Lake Forest 2-1.

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