On Tuesday night, the Naperville North High School boys soccer team preserved their season’s undefeated streak in an overtime thriller at home against Naperville Central High School’s relentless team.
The Huskies (10-0) played their second game against the Redhawks (4-2-3) this season, finishing with a score of 4-3.
The team started applying pressure in the first minutes of the game, but they were held off by the Redhawk’s defense. This changed quickly when, at around eight minutes into the match, senior forward Niko Ladas (14) scored off of the rebound from the NCHS goalkeeper, who had just stopped junior forward Anthony Flores’s (9) shot. However, as the half continued, NCHS was able to capitalize on a cross into the box and make the score 1-1 with a header in the 29th minute. The Huskies did not slow down, seeing numerous chances to score, and finally getting their second goal before the half ended from senior striker Noah Radeke (7). While the Huskies held the lead, there was still room for improvement going into the second half. Head Coach Jim Konrad shares what his message was to the Huskies at halftime.
“The discussion was about how they were able to counter us a couple of times. We had to be better in terms of our communication, riding guys out and finding runners through the box,” Konrad said.
The Huskies came out strong in the starting moments of the second half, but the Redhawks were able to shift the momentum of the game in their favor. Using this momentum, NCHS was able to tie the game up once more, scoring while the Huskies were in transition from offense to defense. The Huskies began to apply even more pressure, winning a penalty kick, but the Redhawks goalkeeper was able to make two big saves and keep the ball out of the net. The Huskies pushed through, with senior forward Jaxson Stokes (11) scoring to take the lead again off of a ball from Radeke. With 3 minutes left in the game, NCHS played a quick restart off of a foul called dangerously near the box, catching the NNHS defense off guard and equalizing the game at 3-3. The Huskies then entered a 10 minute overtime. Junior captain and center-back Sam Hess (3) shared what the team’s plan was going into the crucial period.
“[Actually] there was no strategy, it was just to toughen up and stop making excuses and realize if we want to win state this year, we have to go through games like this,” Hess said.
The Huskies took this sentiment to heart, demonstrating right from the first minute of overtime why they were state contenders. They began pushing upfield more, focusing on offense, and got big chances at the goal, including a header from Radeke that hit the crossbar. The Huskies’ golden goal would come soon after.
The Huskies were given a corner off a Redhawk attempted clearance, setting up junior defender Josh Pedersen (10) to end the crosstown battle at 4-3. He slotted the ball right across the front of the goal, and the ball deflected off of junior center-back Colin McMahon (12) into the net. McMahon gave his thoughts about the game-winning goal.
“It was great. Josh [Pedersen] played in a low driven ball, and then it deflected off of me or someone behind me, but it was just great, no matter who scored, the moment we won I was just ecstatic,” McMahon said.
Maintaining a high level of intensity consistently throughout the game is a challenge in itself, and to keep coming back after each equalizing goal is even more difficult. Hess commented on how the team managed to persevere through the challenges the unrelenting Redhawks posed.
“As a captain, it’s important that everyone stays positive throughout the game even if we get scored on. That’s the most important piece, keeping everyone positive and keeping everyone’s heads up throughout the game,” Hess said.
The Crosstown Classic doubled as an NNHS teacher appreciation game, where athletes on the team recognized teachers who have impacted them. This focus on learning goes hand in hand with what Coach Konrad deemed the ‘bigger picture’ of this crosstown game.
“We learned a lot of lessons, they showed us some places we got to get better at if we want to be a team that’s going to compete at the end of the year. Obviously I’m thrilled we won, but I would say today, it’s teacher appreciation night, and we learned some lessons as well,” Konrad said.
The still undefeated Huskies are currently named number two in the nation in the third United Coaches Top 25 ranking of the season. They look to keep their winning streak alive in their next game at William Fremd High School on Sept. 21 at 12 p.m.
