Seniors help lead Redhawks to share of DVC championship

By Eddie Burns

Naperville Central's coaches and players could not have written a better script for their senior night festivities.

Every player who dressed received playing time, all 11 seniors started, the Redhawks beat Glenbard North 3-0 and Central's victory allowed it to celebrate a DuPage Valley Conference co-championship.

"It was a pretty good night," said Redhawks coach Ed Watson, whose teams have won or shared 12 DVC championships in his 18 seasons at Central.

The Redhawks were resigned to sharing the DVC title with Wheaton Warrenville South since the Tigers rallied to defeat West Aurora by a 5-1 decision on Tuesday nigh.

That left both the Redhawks and Tigers at 6-0-1 in conference play. Central and WW South played to a 0-0 draw on April 12. Central tied Naperville North for DVC honors last season.

"Our whole team consists of seniors, so it was good on a final note to just all end the regular season playing together," Central's Hillary Scott said. "Now this will hopefully get us rolling into the postseason."

Watson had one request of his 11 seniors before they took the field -- to score early and they did.

Alex Coon scored in the second minute when she followed up a Hannah Brenner shot that banged off the post.

"(Alex's goal) early in the game obviously was a momentum changer and settled everyone down," Watson said.

The Redhawks (14-2-5) continued to have the better of the play in the first half as evidenced by their 19 shots at the Glenbard North goal, but Central could only manage a one-goal lead at halftime.

Central continued to apply pressure in the second half and it eventually led to a Scott goal in the 54th minute when she scored off a Taylor Heatherly corner kick.

Gina Maddi capped the scoring in the 64th minute.

"It just feels like our offense, defense and midfield are really starting to come together," Scott said.

"I think we're finding a rhythm and we've become much more consistent in our formations, which has allowed us to become a lot more comfortable with each other."

Since losing to Neuqua Valley three weeks ago, Heatherly said the Redhawks are playing much better offensively because of adjustments they've made.

"We did well when we possessed, but we didn't go anywhere and now we finally have found a rhythm where we are all pushing forward and not just relying on the offensive people," Heatherly said.

"We had defenders in the box and when we got that going it actually has helped us with scoring goals. Defense has not been much of a problem all year, but I think offensively we've really improved."

Speaking of defense, the Redhawks completed the DVC season without a allowing a goal.

"They have an opportunity to say that they were conference champions, but they also have the opportunity to say that they went unscored upon and that says a lot about the team and way we've played," Watson said.

The players agreed that being a part of another conference championship team is something to be proud of and something to build off of as the postseason begins next week.

"Winning DVC is an accomplishment because of the top, quality teams in the conference," Heatherly said.

"It is something we always strive for. We have that first goal and now we want to win state. We're ready to go into the postseason and do our best."

Central's shutout was tested once and senior goalie Taylor McLean stepped up and made a big save in the 74th minute to preserve the shutout.

"The shot we gave up was a shot that could have easily gone in," Watson said. "Taylor made a great save.

"One of the hardest things to do (as a goalie) is to stand there and not touch the ball as long as she did, which wasn't until that moment, and then be ready to come up big like that without allowing a rebound – that says a lot."

Glenbard North coach David Stanfield, whose team finished 7-13-1 and 1-6-0 in the DVC, left impressed with Central.

"Of all of the teams we've played this season, they are one of the strongest teams we've seen from a physical standpoint," Stanfield said. "They are very hard to play against and they are a tough team."

For Watson, the night was significant because of the size of the senior class.

"When you have 11 kids that are still willing to give up their spring and their last semester at high school and be part of a program – that is pretty special," Watson said.

"We haven't had 11 seniors in a long time and we're pretty proud of those girls."

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