Redhawks unbeaten but not satisfied
By Eddie Burns

CLICK HERE FOR NAPERVILLE CENTRAL'S TEAM PAGE

Sometimes the best way to strike is by using the opposition’s aggressiveness against itself.

That is exactly what Naperville Central during its 2-0 victory against Hinsdale Central on Saturday afternoon in Naperville.

This nonconference match was decided in the 64th minute when the Red Devils were awarded a restart inside the Redhawks’ end of the field. The Red Devils sent the ball in toward Naperville goalie Mike Pavliga, who secured possession. Pavliga noticed the advantage the Redhawks had for a possible quick counter, so he boomed the ball deep down field where teammate Pat Flynn was waiting to accept the ball.

Flynn gained possession, worked past Hinsdale defender Ryan Melloni and managed to flip the ball past Hinsdale goalie Harley Pranger for the match’s first goal and what turned out to be winning goal.

“Coach (Troy Adams) was yelling at me throughout the game to look quick because we had two on two,” Pavliga said. “I caught the ball off the restart and I knew Flynn was up there and if I got the ball up there, he’d be able to get to it and I just hit it as hard as I could. To be honest, it was lucky that the ball got to his foot. He made a real nice move, chipped the ball past their goalie – it was a real nice move by Flynn.”

Flynn and Pavliga agreed that Adams stresses that the Redhawks look for chances to counter when they are presented.

It’s such a point of emphasis, that a lot trust has been developed for the Redhawks.
As for Flynn’s goal, it was the result of hard work.

“It was crowded, but Pavliga found the right spot to tell the truth,” said Flynn, who scored his 15 goal of the season and 38th of his career. “Pavliga got the ball up field so quickly. It was clear that he knew right when he caught it that he knew what he was going to do with it. I think that is pretty much what made that play work – Mike knew exactly what he wanted to with the ball.”

Hinsdale coach Michael Wiggins tipped his cap to the Redhawks.

“Gotta give credit to the goal as that was just a well-played composed chance,” Wiggins said. “It was a good play. At some point, you have to give credit to a very good team and that is what they are.”

The Redhawks added another goal in the 74th minute when Hinsdale was called for taking down a Naperville player inside the penalty area. The Redhawks were awarded a penalty kick and Sam Reskala converted.

The match was physical and the Red Devils’ defense was up for the challenge as Melloni, TJ Schmidt, Evan Floersch and Ryan Schwarz had their hands full with the Redhawks’ attack consisting of Flynn, Reskala, Jack Patrick, Jordi Heeneman and David Murphy among others.

“I am really happy with the way we played,” Melloni said. “They are really aggressive and it was a tough contest. We held our own. One thing that helps us in the back is the fact that we have good chemistry, we play fast and we work well as a group. They made a great play one the one goal.”

Wiggins also was encouraged by the effort.

“(Naperville Central) is one of the best teams around,” said Wiggins, whose team fell to 6-3-2 overall. “So, for us, we come away with the fact that we were able to compete for 80 minutes with a good, strong team. … Overall, I thought we matched up well and our defense was a good as what we expected throughout. I think our back three in terms of how we collectively defend I thought it was right where we needed to be.”

The Redhawks also were stout in the back as the defense is starting take shape with Conner Allen anchoring along with Drake Swope, Jack Burdett, Jake Stadleman and Ajay Varghese.

“The backs played really well,” Adams said. “The only issues were the balls in the air were a little tricky, but overall, the backs have made some huge jumps since where we were when the season started. I’m real pleased.”

The Red Devils came out as the aggressor and challenged from the start. Hinsdale’s Christian Meyer beat Pavliga, but banged a shot off the crossbar in the 2nd minute.

“We talk about getting after teams right away and we did a good job with that – we went right after them,” Wiggins said.

Louis St. John, Josh Meyer and Mike Korhn each generated scoring chances only to be turned away by the Redhawks.

Likewise, Naperville had plenty of scoring chances and Adams would like to see the Redhawks become more efficient in that area.

“Best way to describe that match would be unfulfilled potential,” Adam said. “There were lots of chances where I thought we really should have scored goals and didn’t. We’ve been harping on the fact that there will be games where we don’t get 15-20 opportunities. We have to be able to become more efficient in front of the opposition’s goal.”

Central moved to 11-0 with the win, but the Redhawks aren’t satisfied with where they are at thus far.

“Overall, we’ve been improving and improving,” Pavliga said. “We look at our record right now and we have to keep this streak going and we can’t be satisfied with ourselves – the second you get satisfied is the second you start losing. We have to maintain our focus.”