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Boys lacrosse: Glenbard West edges Naperville North for third place

It's the age-old question: What's more enjoyable, the destination or the journey?

That's an even harder query when the destination is the first IHSA boys lacrosse tournament.

Glenbard West defeated Naperville North 7-5 in the third-place game Saturday afternoon at Hinsdale Central, but for both teams the focus wasn't really on the final score.

This was about the bigger picture.

"For me I think it's easily the journey," said Glenbard West sophomore midfielder Josh Crosby, who had a goal and an assist against the Huskies. "Through the season I got to meet a bunch of really cool guys, the seniors are definitely some kids I'm going to remember my entire life. We had an amazing season coming up to this."

"The journey itself, it's so cool to see how far the team has come from those super-cold and snowy and terrible-weather practices, trying to grow and strive and grow with the goal of being here," added Glenbard West junior defender Tommy Halkyard.

Of course, there was a game to be played Saturday, and Glenbard West asserted itself early, jumping out to a 4-1 lead at the end of one quarter and 6-2 at the half.

The Huskies did cut the lead to 6-3 with 2:35 left in the third quarter on a left side blast from senior Alan Vestergaard. After a goal by Glenbard West senior midfielder Parker Michel early in the fourth quarter, it was Vestergaard again from the right side to cut the lead to 7-4.

And when senior attack Sean Sullivan scored with 4:24 to go, it looked like Naperville North might have enough in the tank to push the game to overtime. But there just wasn't enough time left on the clock, and Glenbard West walked away with a final record of 26-3. Naperville North finished 17-5.

"I think the journey was a great time," Naperville North coach Kevin Benages said. "Getting to the final four was a very enjoyable thing, but we talked about it in our chalk talk this morning, I don't know how many of us has let this sink in yet."

And then, of course, the elephant in the media tent: What's it going to take to get back to state in 2019?

"We're obviously losing some very talented seniors, but we have a lot of talented underclassmen, but some players need to focus on their stick skills," Nuss said. "We've got a great base coming back. Our whole starting attack will have experience, our defense will have experience.

"The cupboard's not bare, and a couple of guys will probably have to transition to offense, but again, they need to work on their stick skills."

And Naperville North? It will also graduate some serious talent, including Sullivan, but seniors-to-be Jake Allgood and Grant Pass are ready to take on that leadership role.

"There are a lot of big shoes to fill, and we've got to work really hard in the off-season," Pass said.

Added Allgood, "As juniors, we can have really good leadership to the underclassmen."

  Glenbard West's Jack O'Grady, left, and Luke Andreasik, right, celebrate their 7-5 win over Naperville North to capture a third place finish at the IHSA boys lacrosse state finals. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Glenbard West's Kurt Krebsbach celebrates with his third place medal in his mouth following a 7-5 win over Naperville North during the third place game of the IHSA boys lacrosse state finals. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Naperville North's Sean Sullivan fires a shot around Glenbard West's Kyle Krebsbach during the third place game of the IHSA boys lacrosse state finals. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Glenbard West's Ben Frick (34) scores a goal past Naperville North's Jake Allgood during the third place game of the IHSA boys lacrosse state finals. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Glenbard West's Noah Bischoff (9) hits the turf against Naperville North's Frank Zygmuntowicz (12) during the third place game of the IHSA boys lacrosse state finals. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Glenbard West head coach Eric Nuss reacts to being doused with water after beating Naperville North 7-5 to win the third place game of the IHSA boys lacrosse state finals. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Glenbard West's Luke Andreasik (3) fights for the ball with Naperville North's Matthew Maschmeier during the third place game of the IHSA boys lacrosse state finals. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Glenbard West's Ben Frick, right, faces off against Naperville North's Trevor Hixon, left, during the third place game of the IHSA boys lacrosse state finals. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
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