Boys lacrosse: Springer’s late goal lifts Naperville North over rival Central
Nothing seems to get a team going as much as playing a crosstown rival. Wednesday’s boys lacrosse battle between Naperville North and Naperville Central brought the best out of each team’s defenses and eventually led to the Huskies’ first win of the season.
After starting the spring 0-5, the Huskies prevailed in the conference opener 4-3 at Naperville Central as midfielder Jake Springer tallied a pair of goals, including the game winner that broke a 3-3 tie with 3:42 left to play in the fourth quarter.
The Redhawks, who had struck first on a Nathan Laperna goal in the first quarter, went ahead again 2-1 in the second on a score by Broden Oswald, who grabbed a nifty pass from Laperna in front of the Huskies goal and found the back of the net.
But the first of Springer’s goals was part of a 3-goal outburst in the second period and then his final tally in the fourth earned his team its first win of the spring.
“It feels great to beat Central. They’re just across the river and I love playing against them,” said Springer. “They’re great competitors. In the beginning we were playing by ourselves [individually] but we really developed as a team.”
The big second quarter also saw Evan Marschitz and Grant Ellison score goals as North built a 3-2 lead at the half. The Redhawks, however, did draw even with 7:52 left in the final quarter when junior attacker Declan Burke spun his way into an opening in front of the Huskie net and delivered the equalizer.
The Redhawks (4-5, 0-1), who hit the crossbar three times earlier in the game, would then come up just short after Springer’s winner.
“It kind of turned into that dog mentality,” Springer said of the decisive goal. “You just have to have the confidence that you can beat that guy, and I did. I really have my confidence because of my team. They build me up. Everyone on that bench is my family and I love everyone else.”
Both defenses excelled on Thursday, and both goalies made key stops to keep the low-scoring affair tight throughout. Huskies goalie Lincoln Malley and Redhawks keeper Tony Fascia each turned in big stops and each got plenty of help from their defenses.
Naperville Central was down two men for 2 minutes in the third quarter but still managed to keep the Huskies out of the net during a scoreless third quarter. Dan Conway, Jim Fogarty and Nick Zbylut all played key roles on defense for Naperville Central.
“Honestly, I’m really happy with the way the defense played, and with the way our keeper played,” said Redhawks coach Blake Zinn. “It stinks they were up a man eight times compared to us maybe two times, and then we hit three pipes. But it was a heck of a defensive effort by both teams.”
Huskies coach Kevin Benages has been leaning on players like Springer and Marschitz this year after 16 players graduated from last year’s squad.
“It was just guys stepping up and hitting big shots when you need them,” he said. “Those two guys again continue to be gritty and just continue step up.”