Boys water polo: Palatine repeats MSL championship

After graduating 10 seniors last season from their Mid Suburban League boys water polo championship team, Palatine was hoping to be at least competitive this year.

This year's Pirates team more than achieved that.

Led by seniors Cayden Hilgers, who scored eight goals, Matt Stepp, who scored four goals, and goalie Nicholas Cuprak who had 16 saves, Palatine routed Hersey 15-7 to win their second consecutive MSL title Thursday in Palatine.

"We knew we had some high-quality upperclassmen," Palatine coach Joe Grzybek said. "Nobody has that many seniors or upperclassmen in the conference. It is just what sports are right now. But selfishly thought we had some of the best ones out there and they proved that today."

Palatine (18-10), which lost to Hersey 9-8 two weeks again at a tournament at Glenbrook South, got off to a terrific start.

Nick Maslowski was able to get free on the far post to drill home a pair of goals to put the Pirates up 2-0.

Hersey cut the lead to 2-1 early in the first quarter on a goal by Mryoslav Lehkky. Kuprak, who made five saves in the first quarter, kept the Huskies at bay as the Pirates went to work.

Palatine scored four unanswered goals to surge ahead 6-1.

Maslowski tallied again from almost the exact same spot to get the Pirates going. Hilgers then scored three consecutive goals, one on a penalty shot.

"It is still unreal," said Hilgers, who had a 10-goal game earlier this season.

"I couldn't have done it without my teammates. I knew their front was coming and my coaches have been teaching me how to front and get the job done."

Palatine led 8-2 midway through the second period when Hersey (10-17) finally began to find the back of the goal.

Ben Wojtowicz, Connor Neill, Thomas McDonough (three goals) and Tyler Steinberg each scored as the Huskies closed to 9-6 with 6:18 left in the third quarter.

But it was all Palatine from there as Hilgers along with Stepp broke the game open. Stepp was able to score three of his goals down the stretch.

"When we lost to them at GBS a couple weeks ago, we knew we weren't doing something right," Stepp said. "Tonight was our revenge night. I was eager to beat them down the pool on those breakaways."

Kuprak had nine saves and didn't allow a Hersey goal in the final 11:22. Kuprak also had plenty of help from defenders Brodie Piecuch and Alex Ganji.

"I was working hard out there," Kuprak said. "It was a tough game out there and I enjoyed every moment out there. I love being with my teammates."

Hersey coach Harris Dibek, whose Huskies won the East title in his first year as head coach, said that the slow start hurt his team.

"We have talked about starts the past couple of weeks and we have been starting out flat," Dibek said. "And today was no exception. The key was that they were able to beat us in transition. We weren't reacting fast enough. We will adjust. Hopefully we will get to see them in the sectionals."

Palatine is the top seed in the Conant sectional which begins next Thursday, while Hersey is seeded fifth in the same sectional. The two teams could meet again in the sectional semifinals next Friday.