Boys water polo: Naperville Central blows past York
The partisan York crowd went ballistic after senior center-defender Jordan Jopes scored to put the Dukes up 1-0 in the first 23 seconds of its state boys water polo quarterfinal matchup on Thursday evening in Lincolnshire.
But what they may have forgotten temporarily was that they were facing top-ranked and unbeaten Naperville Central.
Sure enough, the Redhawks quickly silenced the York crowd. They promptly answered with four straight goals that helped build a 5-1 lead after the opening quarter. From the point on Naperville Central (33-0) was never be challenged again in marching into the semifinals following a 15-4 victory. It will face St. Ignatius at 10:15 a.m. Saturday.
The Redhawks' 1-2 scoring combo of senior utility players Nick Walker and Kyle Jackson have had a lot to do with Naperville Central's success this season.
"We know we have a target on our backs, but we just focus on one game at a time," said Walker, who struck for 7 goals against York. "Our team always focuses on defense. We're so fast from top to bottom."
Walker scored three of his goals in the first when Naperville Central seized control.
Meanwhile, Jackson made his presence felt in the first as well, scoring the other two goals.
"We have a close-knit commraderie on this team inside and outside the pool," Walker added. "And we had a sour taste in our mouths after losing to Lyons last year and just want to take care of business."
The Redhawks, who have finished runner-up at state three times now, added five more goals in the second to take a commanding 10-3 lead into halftime.
Walker scored twice, while Jackson, senior 2-meter Philip Emden and senior utility player Kyle Mallen each added a goal apiece.
Emden scored his second goal of the game and Walker added two more in the third as Naperville Central staked to a 13-3 lead heading into the final quarter.
And while there are no worries on offense, the defense was equally impressive in holding York scoreless in the third and to one goal in the fourth.
The Redhawks defense forced York into several shot-clock violations in the second half, which was due largely in part to chaos caused in the middle by Emden, Mallen, Jackson, senior utility player Brian Calabrese, and senior 2-meter defender Eric Stablein.
Anything that got past the aforementioned players, freshman goalkeeper Kent Emden was there. He stopped 11 shots on the evening.
York, which made its first appearance at state after an eight-year absence, finished the year 25-8.