Boys soccer: Pedersen’s OT goal lifts Naperville North over Naperville Central
Learning a new position, becoming more versatile and being able to play multiple places on the field at a high level can turn a soccer player into a tremendous asset for any team.
Josh Pedersen just happens to play for Naperville North with a lot of offensive firepower.
While a prolific scorer with his Galaxy club team, Pedersen has been among one of the many brights spots of the Naperville North defense, but during Tuesday’s home DuPage Valley Conference game, it was his offense that helped the Huskies survive the Redhawks, 4-3, in overtime.
“He’s found his role in the back, but he’s a super attack-minded outside back,” Huskies coach Jim Konrad said. “He’s got the athleticism of a Division I kid. He’s something special. He’s an incredible ball striker, two-footed. He can really hit the tar out of it.”
His corner kick with 6:55 left in overtime appeared destined for teammate Colin McMahon, but found a piece of a defender and then the back of the net.
Several of his teammates piled upon him in celebration as the Huskies overcame an uncharacteristic night where they never trailed, but surrendered game-tying goals three times.
“Beating Central is always a great feeling,” Pedersen said. “It’s great. We’ve been undefeated against them since my freshman year.”
His selflessness has resulted in program success.
“It’s a lot to play a different position but I want to help the team any way I can,” he said. “I guess outside back is the way I can now. It’s definitely a comfortable position for me. I’m more of a forward but obviously being back there is not one of my worries.”
Naperville North (10-0, 2-0) struck first, jumping on Naperville Central (4-1-3, 1-1) almost eight minutes in.
After Naperville Central goalkeeper Conor Waite rejected Anthony Flores’ shot, Niko Ladas recovered the ball and sent home the rebound for a 1-0 lead.
A header from Matias Jacobs in the 29th minute tied the game.
Amongst a few defenders in the box, Noah Radeke put the Huskies back ahead when he scored with 7:20 left before halftime.
A quick restart by the Redhawks in the 54th minute resulted in a goal from Nolan Ewanic to draw the teams even at 2-2.
Waite came up with a huge save to deny Stokes a go-ahead penalty kick in the 58th minute, but Stokes would answer in the 70th minute, putting the Huskies ahead 3-2 on a ball from Radeke.
Once again, the Redhawks answered with Conor White scoring with just 3:17 left to tie the game.
A header from Radeke in the opening minute of OT appeared headed for the back of the net, but found the crossbar instead. A few minutes later and Pedersen’s corner kick finished the latest, and certainly one of the wildest, games between the rivals.
“I told the players when we get done with a game and I don’t have anything (negative) to say about your work rate, your effort and your attitude, then that’s a good game,” Redhawks coach Troy Adams said. “And we did a great job.”
Adams especially praised Gavin Brown, Jay Larson and White for filling different roles than their usual ones to allow the Redhawks to give the Huskies arguably their toughest contest of the fall.
“When you talk about what makes a team, that’s what makes a team,” Adams said. “It’s guys adjusting, adapting, guys giving their all. It’s guys saying I don’t normally play this position but will give it my best. That type of attitude with the work rate we had today, as I told them, it’s going to keep us going in the right direction.”
Both teams learned a lot about themselves and each other. It was their second time playing against one another in less than two weeks. And it’s was Teacher Appreciation Night so what better time to learn a few lessons?
“We learned a lot of lessons,” Konrad said. “You know it’s going to be a tough game with Central, right? They played very well and taught us some things we’ve got to get better at. I’m happy we won, but more happy with the lessons we hopefully learned tonight.”