Barrington 16, Palatine 4

While the Barrington juniors were busy taking the ACT exam Saturday during the Latin tournament opener, the Broncos failed to score a victory against Palatine, dropping an 11-4 decision.

But with a full roster available for Thursday's Mid-Suburban League West Division boys water polo contest, Barrington posted near-perfect marks, defeating the visiting Pirates 16-4.

"We struggled the first two games against Palatine," said Barrington coach Adam Steffen, whose team lost to the Pirates 8-6 on March 18. "Today it just clicked."

Did it ever.

Led by 4 goals from junior Andy Gust and a hat trick from senior Nick Santoro, 10 players scored for Barrington (14-10, 4-4). With Palatine senior David Heckelsmiller on a visit to the U.S. Naval Academy, freshman Dan Sommerfeld (14 saves, 4 steals) was making only his second varsity start in goal for the Pirates.

"We had no idea," said Barrington junior Mike Byron.

But with the way the Broncos were swarming to the ball and dominating play, it may not have mattered if Heckelsmiller and Sommerfeld were both protecting the net.

"What each team was doing was similar to what we expected each other to do -- they just had a lot more energy doing it," said Palatine coach Joe Grzybek, whose team lost all of its seniors from last season's 22-11 squad. "They set the tone. We just let them outperform us."

Santoro, Gust and senior Ben Redpath each scored before Palatine tallied its only goal of the first half -- a laser from junior Chris Mals that rattled the back of the net with one minute left in the first quarter.

Brad Ferris, Dylan Weissmann and Marcin Zuberek also scored for the Pirates (4-16, 1-7).

Byron (2 goals) scored his 50th goal of the season as Barrington's lead grew to 5-1 with 3:57 left in the first half. His 7-meter rocket skipped once and slipped under Sommerfeld's right arm.

"I was very happy with Dan," Grzybek said. "I think he can be a really good goalie in the future, but he's got a lot to learn."

Barrington's Owen Fassnacht has mastered many of those lessons -- the third-year varsity goalie has started every game since his sophomore year. The Tulane-bound senior made 9 saves on Thursday, highlighting a stellar defensive effort by the Broncos.

After surrendering at least 8 goals in their first six division games (2-4), the Broncos have allowed only 6 total goals in the past two, after defeating Hoffman Estates 11-2 on Tuesday.

"We played great defense the past two games," Gust said. "I think our defense is our best part."

The Broncos' depth is also a valuable asset.

In the third quarter, Barrington junior David Poetz tallied his 15th goal of the season, and in the fourth, senior Alex Polvere scored, as did juniors Michael and David Reindl and sophomores Brendan Lesniak and Kevin Morton.

"I have great senior leadership, a great core of juniors and some really talented upcoming sophomores," Steffen said.