Boys lacrosse: Hinsdale Central tops York in second overtime

It was redemption time Thursday night for Hinsdale Central senior midfielder Jack Nastas.

About a year ago he and the Red Devils lost an 8-7 overtime thriller to York. On Thursday Nastas returned the favor.

His goal with 19.8 seconds left in double overtime was the difference as Hinsdale Central defeated the Dukes 5-4 to improve to 5-0 overall and 1-0 in the West Suburban Silver.

Nastas connected on a blast from the right into the left side of the net, just past York senior goalie Artie Renier, which prompted a mob scene of Red Devils players and coaches just behind the Dukes' net.

"That game has haunted me all year," Nastas said of last year's defeat, "just because losing in overtime is the worst feeling, and then coming back to this, it's the polar opposite. It's just great for it to all come together."

As a matter of fact, the Red Devils haven't had the best of luck against the Dukes (4-5-1, 1-2) in recent years, losing each of the last five meetings, the last three by 1-goal margins, so pardon coach Rich Mares for still being out of breath 10 minutes after the game had concluded.

But he credited his guys for sticking with the play he called.

"That's why I love our team so much," Mares said. "The play I put in to run, we actually ran the first time around and we didn't score, and the kids, they know our playbook inside and out, they were able to go right into it … dodge, pass, pass, re-dodge. They didn't need me to yell, which was great, because at the end of the game, I didn't have much of a voice."

The Red Devils held a slim 4-3 lead until 4:34 left in regulation when York senior attackman David Leonard blasted in a goal from essentially the same spot Nastas hit his game-winner.

That's when Renier stepped up, making a huge save off a shot from Nastas with 50 seconds left in regulation.

He was just getting started. He made a trio of key saves in the final 3:07 of the first overtime, including what looked like the sure game-winner off the stick of senior attackman Peter Madden.

Hinsdale Central had another golden opportunity with 1:32 left in the second OT, but senior attackman Danny Karbowski was just wide of Renier and the York net.

But a little over a minute later, it was over.

"They're a good offense," said Renier, who finished with 13 saves. "They have a lot of good shooters, but throughout the game, I trust my defense. I knew those guys wouldn't let a good shot on me, and we'd get a nice, easy shot where I could save it."

As for the final goal, Renier just had to shake his head.

"You know, it happens, you miss a slide, the kid got the shot, a really good shot, just right over my stick," he said.

Added York coach Don Canfield of Renier: "He carried us. He made big plays. Not only did he save the ball, he recovered it and he got the groundball and we were going the other way with the ball in our possession."

Hinsdale Central outshot York 36-26, while senior goalie Capisan Pang, in his first start of the season, finished with 10 saves.