Redhawks Stun Huskies on Beehler's goal

Blake Beehler picked a perfect time to start scoring goals.

The senior midfielder did not score during the regular season, but he’s bagged three in four playoff matches.

The latest, which came in Saturday’s Class 3A Naperville North Sectional championship match, was also the most important because it sparked the Redhawks to a stunning 1-0 upset of top-seeded and previously unbeaten .

The victory gave third-seeded Naperville Central (17-4) its first sectional championship since 1998 and its third overall. The Redhawks will attempt to qualify for the state finals for the first time since 1988 when they face Quincy in Tuesday’s Normal Supersectional.

“The second half we came out strong and we really wanted to beat these guys because the entire season they’ve been the ones to beat in our conference,” Beehler said. “We lost [2-0 on Oct. 4] in conference [play] and we really wanted to make this game count because this is where it matters.”

Beehler is better known for his long flip throw-ins, one of which set up Pat Flynn’s game-winning goal with 57 seconds left in Central’s 3-2 sectional semifinal victory over Batavia. But it was his feet that did the talking in this game when he somehow snuck a 22-yard shot through traffic and just inside the left post with 15:31 remaining in the second half.

Flynn triggered the play when his 32-yard free kick was blocked by the Naperville North defense in the penalty area, but Central’s Sean Stevens was able to tap the ball back to the onrushing Beehler.

“Sean Stevens was able to slide down and pass it back to me and I just had to find the corner [of the net],” Beehler said. “I knew it was our only chance to get ahead in the game.

“It sort of just all opened up for me. I still can’t believe it happened.”

Neither can coach Naperville Central coach Troy Adams, who couldn’t think of a bigger victory by the Redhawks.

“Between playing and coaching I can’t remember a time that Central has beaten North,” said Adams, who played for the Redhawks and has coached in the program for 10 years. “If it’s a game that means something, North typically wins. It’s really a credit to [the Redhawks] who worked their tail off. They put in the work.”

Despite being outshot 15-8, the Redhawks became the first team to shut out the Huskies (21-1-1) this season. Goalie Mike Pavliga made three saves and the back line of Stevens, Jay Tegge and Mike Plant somehow contained North stars Evan Trychta, Kyle Lindberg and Joe Sullivan. Pavliga, who recorded his 13th shutout, was beaten only once, on a header by Lee Grander with 12:10 to play, but West headed the ball out of trouble.

“I feel like our three covering backs and Mike playing behind us, we covered the three forwards,” said Stevens, who guarded the UIC-bound Trychta and held him to four shots, three of which were free kicks. “I feel like our midfield was stronger than theirs today, so we shut down their forwards, which is most of their offense, so that we could control the midfield and push up.”

The Huskies, who had their 20-game winning streak snapped, tried hard to get the equalizer, but their last good chance failed when a 15-yard shot by Sullivan sailed a foot wide of the right post with 3:37 left.

“We knew going in it was going to be a dogfight and whoever punched one in was going to win,” said Naperville North coach Jim Konrad. “Unfortunately, we didn’t and they did.

“We had our chances. We had two or three good ones and we just didn’t put it way. It’s one of those things where it’s a cruel game.”

The Huskies now say goodbye to 20 seniors who played a major role in leading the team to fourth place at the 2010 state finals.

“Obviously it’s been a great run and it was fun while it lasted,” Konrad said. “I’m sorry to see this group of seniors go, but [Sullivan] and those guys coming back will hopefully pick up where we left off next year.”