The girls water polo team defeated Naperville Central High School (NCHS) for the second time this season. Rebounding from a one-point deficit at halftime, the Huskies closed the night with a 10-6 win over the Redhawks.

The Huskies knew that something had to change in their strategy. NCHS junior driver Kaela Codo was singlehandedly outplaying the Huskies, with five goals scored on Naperville North’s net. According to Head Coach Andy McWhirter, the girls entered the second half determined to ignite their defense and create offense.

“It took a little bit in the first half for the girls to find their rhythm,” McWhirter said. “They had the opportunity at halftime to re-energize and find their rhythm going into that third quarter. They were able run that defense a little better, several great shot blocks out there, and capitalize on those counters to get down there.”

Entering the pool as the top-ranked team in state, NNHS was also the clear favorite to win Wednesday’s crosstown match-up. But Codo had found her rhythm for the Redhawks, and she kept the Huskies in hot water for the majority of the first half. With a little over four minutes remaining in the second quarter, the Huskies called a timeout. That was when the momentum of the game shifted, according to senior captain Jillian Eiken.

“We really regrouped ourselves, and we calmed everyone down,” Eiken said. “We recharged ourselves. Our offense totally comes from our defense, and because our defense started working, it all came together. Once we stopped them from scoring, we kind of got back in our game.”

The Huskies truly showed their first-in-state prowess against NCHS in the third and fourth periods. Resolved to take and keep the lead from the Redhawks, NNHS ground the Redhawks offense to a dead halt. Helping in the offensive charge for NNHS was junior Katie Horn, who posted four of the team’s six goals in the half. The last goal scored would be an NCHS buzzer-beater, sunk by junior Jennifer Oliver.

The Huskies knew better than to underestimate their rival athletes, despite the victory that they had over them earlier in the season. Acording to Eiken, every new match has the possibility to bring a new, more vicious opponent.

“We just had to be ready for whatever Central brings to us,” Eiken said. “This time, they really swam us in the first half. We were tired; we were down. I think that the difference between us and them was, in the second half, we came back ready, and I think that they were a lot more tired. I think that’s just how the game all totally came together.”