Fenwick 22, Schaumburg 7

Two-and-a-half hours before their state quarterfinal match up against Fenwick, the members of the Schaumburg Saxons boys water polo team were bouncing around in the hallway along the immense, floor-to-ceiling glass wall separating them from the massive Stevenson natatorium.

Bottled up with energy, Schaumburg couldn't wait for its match to start.

"We're just taking it all in," said Schaumburg senior Drew Cinelli, decked out in a Saxons water polo T-shirt.

And why not? After defeating Conant 10-6 in Saturday's Hoffman Estates sectional championship, the third-year program advanced to its first Elite Eight just two seasons after finishing 1-15.

With Schaumburg facing the four-time defending state champion, Thursday night wasn't so much about upsetting Fenwick as it was about the Saxons measuring themselves against an elite program and taking a positive first step toward securing a state trophy in 2009.

"The goal for us every year is to get here," said Schaumburg coach Tom Gallagher. "Our job is to put this year behind us and start working toward next year."

It could have helped if two of Schaumburg's starters weren't sidelined because of disciplinary reasons, but Fenwick (31-1) was just too strong, too fast and too experienced as the Friars scored 11 first-quarter goals and rolled to a 22-7 victory.

"We've never played a team like that," said Schaumburg goalie Neal Salemi, who made 7 saves. "They had a lot of 1-on-no ones and that's a very hard shot to block."

There won't be a state trophy to bring home, but junior Chris Corbett was all smiles afterward as he talked about the Friars, his hat trick and the sectional run that propelled the Saxons (24-8) into the state spotlight.

"No matter the loss, it's a great learning experience," said Corbett, who scored Schaumburg's first goal with 3:03 left in the first half. "Next year maybe we can come back and get a win, 2 wins. I know we're all going to work hard in the off-season."

Seniors Kevin Kledzik, Joe Buckley, James Reilly, Mark Rosenblum and Cinelli (2 goals) will graduate, but with Corbett, Mike Kehoe, Aaron Johnson, Pat Kraulis (goal), Brandon Kase (goal) and Salemi all returning, next season's outlook looks bright for the team wearing cardinal red and gold.

Any advice from a coach who's been to the top five times?

"Hopefully, they're young enough that they can learn and see what it's all about," said Fenwick coach David Perry. "You've got to be prepared from the beginning."

After experiencing an exciting day at the state tournament, Schaumburg will start over and do everything it can to experience it all again next season.