Kelley's goaltending gives Redhawks comfort zone

With Tyler Kelley tending the goal, the Naperville Central boys water polo defenders can takes more risks.

On Saturday Kelley stopped 10 shots and added 3 steals as the Redhawks' aggressive defense stifled the Waubonsie Valley attack for a 5-2 victory and a second straight win in the Naperville Quad at Neuqua Valley.

"Our defense centers around Tyler," said Bobby Rickert, who scored a pair of goals for the Redhawks. "We can be more aggressive because we know if they get a shot off, he's probably going to stop it. It's a comfort thing."

"If Tyler is having a good night," said Naperville Central coach Bill Salentine, "the guys on the perimeter know they can take a few more chances. If there's a foul on the perimeter and their player comes up shooting, Tyler is ready. And if we take a few more risks, we're sometimes rewarded with a quick counterattack."

Both teams put up a strong defensive challenge throughout the game.

The only score in the first quarter was Mark Giuliani's screamer from 5 meters to give the Redhawks (4-1) a 1-0 lead.

Goals by Max Saltzman on a pass from Ben Reasons and Rickert from the outside with a man advantage provided Naperville Central with a 3-0 lead halfway through the second period. That proved to be all the Redhawks needed for the win.

Jack Poletto put the Warriors (0-2) on the scoreboard with a goal at the two-minute mark and the Redhawks a man down due to an ejection.

In the second half the defenders continued to excel as each team scored once in the third -- Mark Menis, who also came up with 3 steals, for the Redhawks and Anthony Conti for the Warriors.

Rickert then closed the scoring as he put it his second goal of the game with less than five minutes to go in the fourth quarter.

The Warriors stepped up the defensive intensity after that, coming up with 3 steals, but Kelley thwarted their transition game with 4 saves down the stretch.

"Both teams were great and it was a defensive battle," Salentine said. "Waubonsie Valley did a great job of protecting the ball and they cut off our drives."

For the Redhawks, who also defeated Neuqua Valley on Friday and Naperville North Saturday to go 3-0 in the tournament, the strong tournament play helps ease the pain of a 10-9 loss to visiting Lincoln-Way East on Thursday.

"Everyone was pretty upset about the loss to Lincoln-Way East," Kelley said.

"We took these games as a way to prove that we still want to be a contender for state. Both games showed that we can perform against anyone if we get our act together."

Waubonsie Valley coach Chad Ganden was happy with the Warriors defense and the learning experience the quad provided for his young team.

"I think we played a good game," Ganden said. "We chased them a little more and pressed them better in the fourth quarter. We have some new guys and the team is working on some new stuff. We've been competitive in two games even though we lost both. We improve every game and we'll be prepared for sectionals at the end of the year."

Goalie Max Martin had 10 saves for the Warriors, and Poletto and Jeff Sellers each came up with pair of steals.

Waubonsie went 0-3 in the tournament, with Neuqua going 2-1 and Naperville North 1-2.