On Monday, May 20, the varsity boys lacrosse team played their first playoff and final home game of the season, matched up against the Grant Community Bulldogs for the second time this season, ending the contest with a 22-1 victory to advance.

The Wildcats had previously played the Bulldogs during an away game on April 19, which saw a 17-2 Libertyville win.

Libertyville was undefeated at home, besting such teams as the Wheaton North Falcons 12-3 and the Lake Zurich Bears 9-4. The Wildcats were also ranked as the top seed in the sectional and second in the North Suburban Conference.

Grant had several wins throughout the season and had triumphed over the Carmel Corsairs with an 11-8 win on Friday, May 17, to earn their place in the sectional.

Libertyville scored early and often to maintain the lead that they kept throughout the game, with the first goal of the evening scored by senior attackman Kyle Carollo (4), a commit to North Central College.

Grant’s first and only goal of the night came shortly after Carollo’s goal, with a successful shot from junior attackman Matthew Warmowski (23). The goal ended Libertyville’s bid for a shutout.

Other goals in the first quarter, which ended with Libertyville holding a 5-1 lead, were scored by freshman attackman Connor Luxon (24), sophomore midfielder Logan Tayfel (2), senior attackman Luke Kazian (5) and senior midfielder Liam Tansey (18).

“I think today, we just played really well together,” senior midfielder Will DesLauriers (22) said. “I just want to see the boys keep working together, keep pushing, working hard every day.”

Libertyville’s lead only grew during the remainder of the first half, including four more goals from Luxon, a goal from senior midfielder Jake Gimbert (7), a goal by senior attackman Tommy Gonnella (15) and several assists, including two by junior midfielder Sam Seth (1). Libertyville left the field at the half with a 13-1 lead.

Senior goalie Jake Stilling (26) made several saves against the Bulldogs during his time in the goal and said that the team did well creating lots of open possessions.

“There were a lot of times where there would be an open guy,” Stilling said. “We always just had a lot of quick, snappy passes to him. It ended up in a lot of goals.”

Both teams took the field to start the second half with a running clock, the Wildcat offense scoring nine goals to end the night. Sophomore Bryce Marabella (20) scored the final goal of the night, while DesLauriers, who has been playing since his sophomore year, scored just before.

“Nothing comes easy,” DesLauriers, in his second season on the varsity team, said. “Every game is going to get harder and harder. I just want to see us keep getting better, want to see us get as far as we can because I know we can get there. I think this is going to be a team to remember. If we’re going to do it, this is the year to do it.”

Sophomore midfielder Jackson Martin (32), like Marabella, was playing a level up from the JV team. Martin said that what the team is doing right now is amazing.

“We can always improve, especially offense, defense,” Martin said. “We’ve been working on that constantly. I think because of that, we’re such a better team. I think if we’re winning any year, this is the year to do it.”

Libertyville ultimately pulled further and further away from the visiting Bulldogs to end the night with a 22-1 win and advance to the sectional semifinals. 

“I just hope the team stays together and stays in control,” Stilling said. “I want the team to be unified.”

The team will next play on Wednesday, May 22, against the Crystal Lake Central Tigers, who won their game against the Grayslake North Knights following Libertyville’s game.