Naperville Central seniors get busy against Metea Valley
When facing the Naperville Central girls water polo team, it is best to come to the pool with answers to what the Redhawks do best.
That has only happened twice this season.
On Tuesday at Naperville Central on senior night, the Redhawks (19-2), one of the state's top teams, had their offense counterattacking smoothly and their defense cutting off practically all of the scoring chances it faced. The Redhawks finished with a 17-2 win over Metea Valley.
Naperville Central continues its winning ways at a crucial part of the schedule. Just over two weeks remain until sectional competition.
"We're doing pretty well. We are still working on some things," the Redhawks' Sarah Meyer said.
Meyer was one of six seniors honored before the match and every one of them scored.
Rylee Brower and Emily Westlove each scored 4 goals for the Redhawks. Alli Hansen and Emily Wagner each had 2 scores, with Emily Rodgers, Annie Marie Gunn, Charlotte Albright, Jodie Nelson and Meyer each tallying once.
"We're having a lot of fun. All the girls all get along and that's easier for us to have chemistry," Brower said.
Brower scored 34 seconds into the game and Naperville Central led 6-0 after the first quarter and 9-0 at halftime. Despite the outcome of the contest decided early, the Redhawks were determined to play well from start to finish.
"I think you have to go in with an open mind from start to finish because you don't know how the other team is going to respond," Meyer said.
Metea (13-4) is having a very strong season, and the Mustangs' only losses have come at the hands of the Redhawks and Naperville North.
Coach Wyatt Jansen is extremely pleased with what has transpired for the Mustangs so far but stressed that the squad is a work in progress with the majority of the team set to return next season.
"(The Redhawks) are still a more dominant team. We get closer every year, but we are not on their level," he said. "All season we have been protecting the ball very well. Defense has been our focus for us and we will continue to do what we do well."
Metea got on the scoreboard late in the third quarter thanks to Alex Cerra. Teammate Gabby Duval hit net in the fourth quarter.
The winning goalkeeper was Sara Campbell, who finished with 10 saves.
"We're still right in the middle of our heavy morning training and we might be playing a little tired," said Redhawks coach Jeff Plackett. "They're making up for it by talking to each other very well during counterattacks. We're working on our 6-on-6 counterattacks. But more will come when we can have a larger roster at the end of the regular season."