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Clash of Two Top Ten IHSLA Teams Worth Price of Admission

By HCHS Boys Lacrosse, 03/23/17, 1:30PM CDT

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Devils Fall Short as RedHawks Surge in 4th

Hinsdale Central Varsity Lacrosse traveled to Naperville Central on Tuesday night for a clash of IHSLA top ten teams and the game did not disappoint. The RedHawks overcame a two goal deficit in the third quarter to squeak out an 11-9 victory over the visiting Red Devils, wearing their "all reds" for the first time ever,  on a chilly 40 degree night overlooking downtown Naperville. The early season matchup was a preview for two teams expecting big things come June. Naperville Central jumped to an early 2-1 lead at the end of the first quarter with Peter Madden netting the only Devil goal in the first stanza. The offenses loosened up a little in the second quarter with the RedHawks sprinting out to a 5-1 lead before Madden added the second of his two goals and Jack Nastas ripped a running shot to pull the Devils within two goals at intermission.

The third quarter was all HCHS.  A five goal surge by the Devils catapulted them to an 8-7 lead at the end of the third quarter. Goals by Peter Marcus, Mark Ferrino, Lucian DiPofi, Jack Nastas and Jack Crews lead the way for the offense while the defense played nearly flawless on their end of the field. Brother’s John and Joe Kwasigroch put the clamps down on the RedHawk offense and Robbie Kress was all over the defensive end of the field. Sophomore goalie Capison Pang had another excellent effort in only his second varsity start. CP1 had 4 saves in the pivotal third quarter and blocked 58% of the shots on the night against one of the best offenses in the state.

The flu bug ultimately proved too much to overcome. With two starters battling through the flu on the field and two others not playing due to illness, the Devils were running on fumes by the 4th quarter. NCHS was just one step ahead in the pivotal final quarter and pulled out an 11-9 victory down the stretch.  The game was a classic, gritty battle by two very talented teams who might just get another chance to bump heads come the state tournament in June.