Naperville Central defeats WW South
Naperville Central knew better than to pay much attention to Wheaton Warrenville South's record Thursday night in Naperville.
“They're still a good team, Redhawks sophomore Pat Flynn said of the struggling Tigers. “They have a lot of talent and a lot of pace up top. And you've got to worry about every game. You can't let one slip or it will ruin the conference race for you. You knew that they were going to come out ready and really wanting to win. We've got to approach every game like it's our last.
“We talked about it before the game, we talked about it during the game that this year in the conference I don't think you can really look at any team and say that team is clearly better than anyone else and that team is clearly worse than anyone else, Naperville Central coach Troy Adams added. “It's pretty even all the way through.
An own goal and a Flynn goal were all the host Redhawks needed to claim a 2-0 DuPage Valley Conference victory.
The own goal came in the 29th minute, when a Naperville Central throw-in from the right corner deflected off a WW South defender and into the net.
The goal typified the season for the Tigers (6-10-2, 0-5), normally one of DuPage County's toughest teams.
“When is enough enough? Tigers coach Guy Callipari asked rhetorically. “If the season was only 10 games, I could probably live through it, but when it's 25 and it's just playing itself over... It's like (the movie) ‘Groundhog Day.' I just can't figure it out.
The Redhawks started the second half looking for a second goal. Flynn's shot in the 47th minute required a diving save by second-half Tigers sophomore goalkeeper Tim Reinders, who deflected it off the far post, then cleared by a defender. A minute later Conner Allen's side volley from 10 yards out glanced off the crossbar, then went over.
“It's frustrating as a forward to see that, Flynn said.
With the Tigers pressing forward for an equalizing goal late in the game, the Redhawks finally found that second goal. Sophomore Jack Patrick's long free kick out of the back found Flynn, who turned and blasted a shot in the net in the 78th minute.
“We worked hard all game, and it felt good sealing the game off late, Flynn said. “Our defense played great again, another shutout.
The victory kept the Redhawks (10-4-1, 4-0-1) half a game behind cross-town rival Naperville North in the conference standings. The two teams meet next Thursday, but that's too far for the Redhawks to look ahead.
“We've still got Glenbard North to worry about, which is Tuesday, and we can't look any game ahead because if you let one slip that game against Naperville North won't mean anything, Flynn said.