Boys soccer: Sullivan hat trick lifts Naperville North past Waubonsie Valley
Even if a soccer team is winning, there's always room for improvement.
Naperville North was not only happy beating Waubonsie Valley 3-0 on Tuesday night in the first of two Class 3A Bolingbrook sectional semifinals. The top-seeded Huskies (17-2-3) were also happy at how they did it.
"We did a much better job moving the ball. We struggled the first two games out of Oswego," said Naperville North coach Jim Konrad.
The Huskies advance to Saturday's sectional final. They will face the winner of Wednesday's 7 p.m. semifinal match between third-seeded Neuqua Valley and 15th-seeded Plainfield Central.
Naperville North pressured the fourth-seeded Warriors (12-7-1) right from the start, making life tough for the Warriors' defense right in front of the net.
The Huskies' effort finally paid off 9:37 into the game when Chris Sullivan deposited a 15-yard shot into the Waubonsie net off a pass from James Zhang. Sullivan finished with 3 goals and has 17 on the season.
He said the contest had similarities to the Huskies' double OT 2-1 win over the Warriors just 12 days earlier except that Tuesday's game was played on turf, which can make a difference in the sometimes wet and cold fall weather.
"We were able to play more on the ground. Our game plan was simple. You see a pass. You make it," Sullivan said.
After Sullivan's first score, Waubonsie goalkeeper Dan Schweiger made some crucial stops for the Warriors, including saves in a crowd in front of the net off a corner kick and throw-in.
Naperville North goalkeeper Tommy Welch made his biggest save of the first half with 15:06 remaining as Rogelio Grimaldo's hard-kicked free kick forced Welch to quickly drop to his knees to grab the shot.
The score remained 1-0 at halftime, but the Huskies struck quickly in the second half when Sullivan put back a rebound that originated as a Jack Bromagen pass to make it 2-0 just 2:58 into the final 40 minutes.
The Warriors' two best scoring chances came about 12 minutes apart. With 30:57 left in the contest, Giacomo Parrino's 25-yard shot forced Welch to make a diving save, and Welch dove again to deflect away Scotty Heinen's free kick.
Sullivan notched his third and final goal with 4:49 remaining. He said the play of Naperville North's midfielders is crucial to continued success for the Huskies.
"When out midfield plays well, the whole team plays well and we hope to keep that going," he said.
As for Waubonsie, coach Jose Garcia was proud of his team's performance and how it bodes well for the 2017 season. Twelve Warriors on this season's roster will return next season.
"We knew going in that (Sullivan) would be the guy to look out for. It is what it is and it's hard to defend when he's coming at you," he said. "But I can't ask the boys for anything more. I was happy seeing the progress we made from last year and it's great for next year."