WW South, Naperville Central play to a draw
There wasn't much pressure on Wheaton Warrenville South and Naperville Central when the two teams faced each other in each squad's respective DuPage Valley Conference finale on Tuesday in Naperville.
There also wasn't much scoring either. As a matter of fact, there wasn't any scoring.
The teams battled for 80 minutes of scoreless soccer in regulation and then an additional 20 minutes with two overtimes, but neither could find the back of the net and they settled for the 0-0 draw.
"I said to my assistant coaches once we got into overtime that the itch starts and you want to make a change, but I told them that this is how we have to play, and this is how it's going to be in state tournament, which is the next game we'll play," Redhawks coach Ed Watson said. "If we can keep our opponents to zero then we keep playing and if we run out of time, then we'll put in on the yellow spot and try to knock it in from 12 yards out."
Meredith Tunney and Meridith Hannan had scoring chances in the second overtime for the Redhawks (10-8-2, 1-3-1) but couldn't convert.
Wheaton Warrenville South (10-7-2, 2-2-1) got a shot from Anna Fank midway through the second overtime as well, but like the Redhawks, had a difficult time doing anything offensively all evening.
"Tying Naperville Central is not bad. It's a good place to be," Tigers coach Guy Callipari said, "when you think of the adversity we've faced in the last month with injuries to just about everyone. But we've weathered the storm and pulled together."
One of the key injuries was to senior midfielder A.J. Jakuszewski, but she was back in action Tuesday.
"I didn't realize how soon the season would be over," she said. "We had our senior dinner the other night and it's just starting to hit me. I'm glad was I able to be back out there. I didn't want to miss the last couple games and want to get ready for next week."
The Tigers will close their regular season today against Glenbard West and then take on West Chicago in the Class 3A playoffs next Tuesday at Wheaton North. The Redhawks won't play again until next Tuesday, as well, when they'll battle former DVC-foe West Aurora in the Class 3A Plainfield North regional.