Naperville Central picks up the pace

The Naperville Central girls water polo team needed a little time to get going during Thursday's home match against Wheeling.

But once it did in the second quarter, scoring 6 goals, there was no looking back. The Redhawks prevailed 14-5.

"I didn't think we had a lot of momentum at the start of the game," said Naperville Central senior Michelle Spaits, who led her team with 4 goals, 3 of which came in the key second quarter. "But we picked up the pace and remembered what we had worked on in practice that had worked well."

The Redhawks (17-3), ranked No. 5 in one state poll, took a 3-0 lead after the first quarter on goals from Beth Ryan, Emily Westlove and Jessica Fox. Westlove and Fox finished with 2 goals each as did Kristina Altuve.

Wheeling (14-6), ranked 23rd in the same poll, scored first in the second quarter as Theresa Godlewski scored the first of her 5 goals. Spaits and Alli Hansen responded to make it 5-1 before Godlewski struck again. Two goals from Spait and one each from Ann Marie Gunn and Fox closed out the first half with the Redhawks up 9-2.

"I think our outside shooting in the second quarter broke their defense," said Naperville Central coach Jeff Plackett. "It created more space in front of the goal, not just for the center but the girls who were rotating outside."

Plackett praised the efforts of Angie Benton, who scored in the third quarter along with Altuve and Spaits, in her first varsity game. The Redhawks led 12-3 at the conclusion of the period.

"She showed a lot of poise," the Naperville Central coach said of Benton.

The winning goalie was Faith Vandercar, who finished with 6 saves. Her counterpart, Wheeling's Jenna Pink, made 10 saves.

Wheeling had gone into the game after beating Hersey on Wednesday to clinch the Mid-Suburban East title. Coach Bob Savitt said the Wildcats could not afford to have a second quarter like they did against the Redhawks.

"If you let down, they will make you pay. They are big, good and fast," he said. "But if you take away part of the second and third quarters, I thought we were solid."

He praised the efforts of Godlewski, who he believes is a prime candidate for postseason honors.

"She never shuts down and is as tough as nails. I think she drives 8 out of 10 times during every quarter," Savitt said.