This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Sports

Fast Start Carries Neuqua Valley Water Polo Past Hornets

Experienced Wildcats jump ahead 9-0 on way to 12-5 boys win at Hinsdale South.

It all depends on how you look at things.

A veteran boys water polo squad went to Hinsdale South to fine-tune some offensive sets and prepare for upcoming matches against the like of state power . The host Hornets, meanwhile, were looking on Tuesday to make strides against a quicker, more experienced Wildcats squad.

Both teams came away with some positives but it was Neuqua Valley— powered by a fast start and a 7-0 lead after one quarter—that came away with the victory, a 12-5 win that boosts the visitors’ season mark to 10-5-1.

Find out what's happening in Napervillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Kevin Patterson, who had one of Neuqua’s first-quarter goals, also scored in the third quarter. He said the Wildcats, who led 9-2 at the half, spent much of the second half working on offensive plays and not worrying about how many goals they added against a Hornets’ squad with just two seniors on the roster.

“We kind of know where everyone’s going to be,” said Patterson, noting that the team starts two juniors along with a group of seniors. “After our strong start it was not so much try to run up the score but more working on plays that we’ve been working on, and to run some plays that we’ll try and use against (Naperville) Central and Stevenson.”

Find out what's happening in Napervillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Neuqua will play at the tough Stevenson Tournament in two weeks a nice tune-up for a loaded sectional that will also include ranked squads Naperville Central, and , as well as Hinsdale South.

Alex Quebmann struck for 4 goals in first quarter as the Wildcats took advantage of a young Hinsdale South defense. David Lesniak assisted on a pair of the first-quarter scores and added a goal himself.

The Hornets, meanwhile, got two goals from sophomore Ryan O’Toole and one apiece from Gunnar Wagner and Matt Dejewski. Goalie Cameron Harris, also a sophomore, kept the Wildcats from running away and hiding with a handful of stellar stops.

“They were certainly a better team,” said Hornets coach Richard Townsend, whose team fell in overtime to the York the previous night. “We’re in their sectional along with other ranked teams and we’re in a conference with Lyons Township and Oak Park, so we have to play these (types of) guys.”

Townsend, whose team has won four times this spring, said the players are coming around. “They’re learning and they’ll be tough next year and the year after if they stick with it,” he said. “You got to take the good with the bad. We’re hoping as the season progresses to get more good.”

Neuqua goalie Eric Stall picked up the win and teammate Robert Vechiola added a pair of goals at Hinsdale South.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?