The Naperville Central boys varsity lacrosse team defeated Kaneland 17-1 in their home opener on March 24th, a more dominant performance than their earlier 9-8 win at Geneva.
“[Our first home game] was great,” said senior captain Nathan Sadowski. “The first game we had some mistakes, but the second game we just completely shut them down.”
Last year, Central struggled against the Knights; they faced them twice, winning both times, but one decided by two goals and the other in overtime.
“To come out here and [win] is huge,” head coach Blake Zinn said. “It’s definitely a confidence builder for the kids, [and] kind of gives us an eyeball; it’s like where we’re at compared to previous years.”
Defensively, the team was much stronger than in their opening game.
“I would say that defensively, we were 70% there last week, and now we’re 90% [there],” Zinn said. “Our transition game has just gotten a lot better, both on the clearing end and the riding into the field, which made the difference tonight.”
The defense has also been working together more smoothly this season.
“This is my [eighth year coaching] here, and this is the group that’s worked together better than anyone that I’ve had in the past,” Zinn said.
Teamwork and chemistry are evident across the board, and they are making a significant impact. Players like Sadowski and sophomore Drew Schneider, who Zinn felt made a lasting impact on the game, contributed to the score, showcasing their skills and leadership on the field.
“[Schneider] had a million ground balls tonight,” Schneider said. “Drew just made a lot of smart plays and offensively was a big threat.”
Ground balls are a crucial part of lacrosse, a key indicator of hustle and control over possession. His ability to win ground balls allowed Central to maintain offensive possession and transition smoothly.
On the offensive side, Central is forming a cohesive attack, players supporting one another to create scoring chances and ease pressure on the defense.
“We’re all clicking right now,” Sadowski said. “It feels great to have so many guys contributing, and it’s really showing in the games.”
After the huge win, the Redhawks are keeping their focus on the future.
Despite the strong start, the team emphasized the need for continued growth to remain competitive.
“After two wins, we’re all feeling a little cocky,” Sadowski said. “The [captains and I] talked to our teammates and coaches, and we know we still have so much growth that needs to happen before we play teams [later in the season].”