Mikuzis scores 10, Neuqua wins big

Three weeks ago, Neuqua Valley's boys water polo team beat Hinsdale South 13-11, but the Wildcats had an extra edge during their 23-7 win over the Hornets in Thursday's sectional quarterfinal.

"We only beat them by 2 the first time we played them," said Neuqua captain Mike Rooney. "But we didn't have John (Mikuzis). He makes everyone better out there.

"He's a great leader for the team, and he always puts it in the back of the cage when we need it."

Mikuzis missed the teams' first meeting this year due to injury, but he led all scorers with 10 goals on Thursday as No. 2 Neuqua grabbed control early over No. 7 Hinsdale South and never looked back in Naperville.

"We started off with some great passing, didn't have many turnovers, and we played well as a team," Rooney said. "And we swam a lot in this game."

Neuqua (23-8) also got 4 goals apiece from Rooney and Ryan Jadwin, grabbed a 7-2 lead after a quarter and never looked back.

"It's important to set the tone early," Mikuzis said. "It's hard to come back once you're down, your goalie loses some confidence, and we started well tonight."

"Our four, five, and six guys really stepped up. They controlled the ball well and they were looking for shots. And Mike Rooney and Ryan Jadwin have really stepped up and they're having a huge inside presence."

The Wildcats led 11-3 at halftime, 17-4 after three quarters, and never let Hinsdale South (15-15) get rolling. Neuqua's speed and size advantages were evident throughout the contest.

"They played well," Neuqua coach Martin Bell said of his Wildcats. "We had a game plan and they came out and executed it. We were also able to get some of our younger players in and get them a feel for the game.

"We wanted to come in with the attitude like we've never played (Hinsdale South), and it seemed to work."

Neuqua goalkeeper Kevin Cordes made a handful of early point-blank saves on the night and played solid throughout in finishing with 11 saves. With his 10 goals on Thursday, Mikuzis has 90-plus for the season, despite missing nearly a third of the year with a leg injury.

Neuqua will play in a sectional semifinal Friday against No. 3 Waubonsie Valley, which won 10-8 over No. 6 Naperville North in Thursday's nightcap. No. 1 Naperville Central takes on No. 4 Lockport in Friday's other semifinal.

"We played them twice, but I'm kind of nervous about Waubonsie because they've been stepping it up," Rooney said. "They have a scary offense."