The number six ranked HCHS Boys Lacrosse Team marched into Naperville Saturday morning for an IHSLA top ten matchup against number five ranked and undefeated Neuqua Valley High School. Neuqua was looking to avenge an 11-10 overtime loss to the Devils last year and extend their state leading winning streak to twelve games. The Devils were out to prove they belong in the same dialogue with the top teams in the state. 

The first half was a defensive struggle as both teams looked to find their footing. The Devils took a 2-1 lead into the second quarter, but struggled to possess the ball and entered halftime behind a goal, 3-2. 

Coach Mares focused his troops during halftime and the Red Devils came out red hot from the break. Setting the pace for the second half barrage was senior face off specialist Jake Simon. Simon won 75% of his faceoffs on the day and was dominate in the critical third quarter. Junior Peter Madden and senior Colin Parker did the damage on the offensive end for the Devils.  Madden scored four goals on five shots on the day, while Parker added four points on two goals and two assists, leading the Devils to a 7-5 lead after three quarters. 

The team turned the game over to the defense and junior goal keeper John Thompson for the fourth quarter. Defenders John Kwasigroch, Joe Kwasigroch and Jack Cain, along with LSM Robbie Kress and SSMD Parker Bailey put the clamps on the high scoring Wildcats offense, shutting them out in the final stanza. The Devils added two early fourth quarter goals to take a 9-5 lead and then the scrum was on.  The Devils kept their cool and held strong as the Wildcats threw everything they had in the final minutes of the game to no avail.

The Devils have a busy week ahead, with Lincoln Way visiting Dickinson Field on Tuesday night, a trip to OPRF on Thursday and a Saturday matinee at home against Fenwick. Sitting at 9-2 and ranked #6 in the state, the Red Devils are just hitting their stride as they continue their school record breaking pace.