Huskies relieved to score on 'Cats
After struggling to finish on good scoring chances in a tie with Glenbard East on Tuesday, Naperville North felt a little better after Thursday night's game.
"It's a sigh of relief, finding the back of the net," said Huskies junior Kevin Wryrostek, who struck once in a 2-0 win over West Chicago. "And it's good to come out with a victory."
Naperville North (3-1-3, 1-0-1) stayed unbeaten with the DuPage Valley Conference win in Naperville, getting a second goal from Chris Boswell before halftime and holding West Chicago (4-3, 1-1) to 3 shots on goal for the night.
"(Jordan) Baker and (Dan) Hogan are just top-notch tacklers," said Huskies coach Jim Konrad. "And there's not a goal that we've given up this year that I can blame on my back four."
Wyrostek's goal came in the ninth minute, when he intercepted a Wildcats clearing attempt and stayed calm from 20 yards out.
"The ball was coming out, and I just took a touch and hit it," Wyrostek said. "We haven't been scoring a lot, so we've been talking about just taking a touch and shooting, instead of trying to blast the ball."
The Huskies earned an 11-3 edge in shots on goal for the night and dominated play through the game's first 15 minutes, which included a 3-shot flurry at the Wildcats' goalmouth. A second Wyrostek offering hit just wide, and a shot from Andrew Menendez that hit the post.
For the game's next 10 minutes, West Chicago found its attacking gear, linking passes together and pressing into the Huskies' side of midfield. A final, dangerous link to goal eluded them, but the Wildcats showed no shortage of skill or effort around the park.
"We need to work the ball more through the middle," West Chicago's Tony Alcala said. "We try to bring the ball in from the outside too much. That works, but we've got to be a little more creative in the middle, too."
"As a coach, I've got to figure that part out," said West Chicago coach Steve Brugmann said. "But it's a long season, and I think we've got dangerous players around the field."
West Chicago got exceptional efforts from Alcala, Joseph Cabellero and Tim Schuda, "and Aldo (Mendoza) works hard every game," Brugmann said.
The Huskies scored again in the 33rd minute, when Boswell crossed a ball from deep along the right sideline. Boswell's cross developed a will of its own along the way, tucking itself inside the far post to give the Huskies a 2-0 cushion.
Boswell's goal may have been lucky, but his play was solid throughout.
"Boswell did a great job of holding the middle for us," Konrad said. "When they countered on us, he did an awesome job."
Huskies junior goalkeeper Devon Moon also held up his end, putting himself in perfect position to save all 3 shots the Wildcats put on frame in the second half.
-- Gary Larsen
WW South 0, Kelly 0:ŒIn the Pepsi Showdown, the Tigers advanced to Saturday's quarterfinals by winning the penalty-kick shootout 3-1. Goalkeeper Randall Babb made 2 saves in the shootout.
Glenbard West 3, Addison Trail 0:ŒThe Hilltoppers ran their record to 7-1 as Geoff Oidtman scored twice and J.T. Wiebe added another goal.
Lisle 6, Coal City 0:ŒGrant Fitzgerald notched a hat trick and Konrad Raclawski added 2 goals and an assist for the Lions (5-1, 4-0) in the Interstate Eight Conference. Viktor Vajda added a goal and 3 assists.
Girls volleyball
WW South d. Glenbard North:ŒThe Tigers (7-0, 2-0) rolled to a 25-7, 25-7 DuPage Valley Conference sweep behind Mollie Kolosky's 6 kills and 4 aces, Becca Zlabis' 5 kills and 2 aces, and Annie Luhrsen's 16 assists, 3 kills and 2 aces. Glenbard North (1-2, 1-1) received 4 kills from Alexis Oduyale.
Naperville North d. Glenbard East:ŒJordan Pappas collected 19 assists and Colleen Ward put down 9 kills for the Huskies (7-1, 2-0), who won 25-18, 25-16 in DuPage Valley Conference action. Amanda Peterson had 9 kills and 6 assists for Glenbard East (2-1, 1-1).
Naperville Central d. West Aurora:ŒEmily McGee reeled off 11 kills and Megan Bray fired off 6 for the Redhawks (2-1, 1-1), who won 25-7, 25-12 in the DuPage Valley Conference.
Waubonsie Valley d. Elgin:ŒThe Warriors (7-2, 1-0) cruised to a 25-9, 25-7 victory in their Upstate Eight Conference opener. Kassie Kadera lofted 23 assists and served 6 aces, while Nicole Salmon and Joslyn Drew each landed 7 kills.
Glenbard South d. Kaneland:ŒThe Raiders (5-3, 1-1) rode 9 kills apiece from Darah Preston and Kim Schwerdtmann to a 19-25, 25-17, 25-20 Western Sun Conference triumph. Alicia Englehardt finished with 17 assists and 2 aces.
Wheaton North d. West Chicago:ŒThe Falcons (4-3, 1-1) posted a 25-11, 25-12 DuPage Valley Conference win led by Leah Bridle's 6 kills and 3 aces. Amy Groesbeck and Elizabeth Lee chipped in 4 kills apiece.
Hinsdale Central d. Morton:ŒLindsay Homme's 6 kills and Amanda Freyn's 5 powered the Red Devils (4-5) to a 25-6, 25-19 West Suburban Conference crossover win.
Westmont d. Lisle:ŒLiz Todd slammed 9 kills and Annie Antonsen registered 11 assists and 2 kills for the Lions (1-5, 1-1), who lost 25-15, 25-22 in an Interstate Eight North match.