Naperville North falls in state quarterfinals

Minutes after losing 8-4 to Lyons Twp. in the boys water polo state quarterfinals. Naperville North coach John Blumthal celebrated the season just ended and looked ahead to next year.

“We thought we were going to do well, but I don’t know that we thought we were going to be 30-4,” the third-year coach said of his team, which improved from 18-12-3 the year before. “The sky’s the limit for this team for sure.”

That’s what happens when you lose just three seniors.

The Huskies stayed even with Lyons Twp. through a first half that ended 4-4. But the Lions’ defense held the Huskies in check the rest of the way.

“They were just dropping. They made a young team take outside shots, and we just weren’t hitting today,” Blumthal said.

“Defense is where we always try to focus,” Lyons Twp. coach Doug Eichsteadt said. “I think it was 3-3 at the end of the first (quarter), and our defense did a great job of funneling shots.”

It was the third time this season the Lions had beaten the Huskies, winning 15-5 in March and 11-6 in April. May was no kinder to the Huskies.

“It’s tough to be out first round,” Blumthal said of the Elite Eight opener. “They’re a good team. The better team won today, but I was excited to play them.”

“Naperville North, they’ve got some great players on their team,” Eichsteadt said. “As you get more familiar with teams, every time gets a little bit tighter. But it comes down to executing, and we were able to execute our offense, get some advantages at the end.”

“They already knew who our top scorers are,” said Naperville North junior captain Eric Curia. “So when we’re driving down to the set, they already know to get us, they already know to double-team us. It was a smart strategy on their part. I give credit to them.”

The Lions took the lead for good with 2:45 left in the third period on a Joe Shannon goal. Kovas Zygas scored with 48 seconds to play in the quarter to put Lyons Twp. up 6-4 heading into the final quarter, when both players scored again. Shannon finished with 4 goals.

“It was a really close game at first, and they happened to beat us at the end. They deserve it. They’re a great team,” said Curia, who scored twice to bring his season total to 162. “I couldn’t be happier with how the season turned out, though.”

Aaron Katz and Nolan Roberts also scored for Naperville North.