One and done

Huskies lone goal is enough to top Warriors

AURORA --Naperville North pushed and pushed and pushed for the insurance goal that would comfortably distance itself from nonconference rival Waubonsie Valley on Monday.

But it never came.

North senior Alec McNees scored his second goal of the season in the 15th minute and nobody from either team would manage another. To the Huskies credit, they did everything but put the ball across the Warriors goal line.

By the Huskies count, the Warriors defenders - not senior goalkeeper Kit Carson - saved four shots from scoring. Carson himself recorded nine saves to keep his underdog team in the game until the final minute.

"We had a couple key players out today," Carson said, "But I think this game proved we can stay with the competition."

In the pouring rain, the Warriors (2-4-2) created fewer opportunities for goals compared with North (4-1-3) but kept their opponent out of the back of the net long enough to make the Huskies think twice about finishing more of their opportunities in the future.

The one that did end up past Carson resulted on a throw-in by Riley Breese that bounced off of teammate Ediz Yorulmazoglu and over to McNees, who scored it from the near post.

"I'm supposed to run out and flick the ball on with my head," McNees said. "The ball ended up bouncing back out, and I was on the side and just put it in."

Other great scoring chances for North came from junior Andrew Menendez and sophomore Augustin Celentano.

The Huskies (4-1-3) pressured Carson all night long but it was Devon Moon that recorded the shutout.

Moon made four saves, including a diving stop of Ryan Dotson's attempt in the 71st minute. Moon also stopped Mike Giacchetti's skipper from outside the penalty box in the 57th minute.

"I thought second half we were far more dangerous getting in behind their defense," North coach Jim Konrad said. "I also thought they had a lot more chances in the second half. It kind of opened up a little bit there toward the end. They did a nice job on counters."

As much as playing a highly-touted team like North to a one-goal game may boost the Warriors, they're still hungry for winning the close ones.

The Warriors have lost three games by one goal this season.

"With the exception of the Naperville Central game," Waubonsie coach Angelo DiBernardo said, "every game has been this way - close. "

The game was a lot closer than the Huskies would have liked it, but they'll always take a win over Waubonsie. The Huskies simply ran into a hot goalkeeper and a protective defensive line that wouldn't give up.

"Again, we had a number of chances," Konrad said. "Their goalkeeper made some spectacular saves for them."

Sun-Times News Group

Soccer: Naperville North 1, Waubonsie Valley 0