Boys soccer: Undefeated Naperville North scores four goals in second half, claims supersectional title

NORMAL — Dylan Healy hasn't been a goal scorer for Naperville North but he’s been a big part of their success.

Healy scored his first goal of the season while helping the Huskies to a 4-0 victory during Tuesday’s Class 3A Normal Community supersectional win over the hosts.

Naperville North (22-0-4) advances to Friday’s state semifinal against Lane Tech in Hoffman Estates at 8 p.m.

“That was super exciting,” Healy said. “I think we were able to use it for momentum to score more and put the game away and really seal the deal.”

Normal (19-4-4) had the benefit of the strong wind at its backs in the first half while playing on its home’s natural surface.

The Ironmen produced a pair of fantastic chances in a scoreless first half that only could be denied by fantastic defensive efforts in return. Those defensive denials included a punch save from goalkeeper Jack Bouska early in the half and a tackle from Arnav Nagpal late in it.

“They had two dynamic players, a very good combination,” Bouska said. “We got caught off guard a little defensively and I was just set. I saw (Joyce Lubika) winding up and was set and able to read the ball and get a hand on it and push it out of the way and out of bounds.”

Lubika was looking to fire again when Nagpal flew to the rescue.

“He was trying to shoot the ball,” Nagpal said. “All I knew what to do was put my foot out and make the slide tackle and the game keeps going on and it kept us in the game. Obviously, we had our offense do a great job scoring four goals in the second half. Just amazing honestly.”

Brian Biederman got the Huskies on the board four minutes into the second half.

“A big feeling of relief,” Biederman said. “Luke (Bouska) played in a great ball and I did my job and I finished it. I think it took a lot of pressure off the team. We knew with the wind we would have a lot of opportunities, but we would have to stay calm and finish them.”

Magical things happen during magical seasons. While Healy entered with nine assists he hadn’t scored until he put the Huskies up 2-0.

“I got the ball down the wing and I obviously saw some space so I started driving at the defender and waited for him to, you know, bite or step into the ball,” Healy said. “And then I cut it and saw the space and whipped it back corner and it was a goal.”

Bouska added a goal to extend the lead before Biederman finished the scoring with his second of the night. Onkar Lidder had assists on the final two goals.