Brother Rice races past Huskies

In the finals of the Brother Rice water polo tournament Saturday, the Crusaders forced Naperville North to play at their pace and speed.

The result was a 11-6 win, as Brother Rice scored in flurries, including three goals in the first period in overpowering the Huskies.

Seniors Matt Joslyn and Ryan Scott scored three goals each to lead the Crusaders (8-1-2) .

“This was our house,” Joslyn said. “We wanted to be the aggressive team, go out and play hard and really control the match.”

The other catalyst for the Crusaders was junior hole setter J.J. Marren. He scored both of his goals in the first two periods. He also assisted on another goal that extended Brother Rice’s lead to 5-2 before the third period break.

“The hole setter is like the center in basketball,” Brother Rice coach Bill Mulcrone said about Marren. “Most teams run their offense through the hole setter. He’s a great athlete, a three-sport star, the starting middle linebacker on the football team since his sophomore year, and he’s the key to our attack.”

Down 8-2 late in the third period, the Huskies (14-4) mounted a counterattack. Conor Handley scored two goals in a minute-and-a-half burst, which led to three consecutive Naperville North scores that narrowed the margin to 8-5. Joslyn scored twice in the final period to restore his team’s momentum.

Brother Rice goalie Augie Sandermeier recorded 11 stops. Matt Johnson added two scores for the Huskies. North goalie Christian Flessner made nine saves.

In the third place game, Cody Siemeck scored three goals in leading Sandburg past DeSmet Jesuit (Mo.) 11-6. Jordan Derbas and Chris Bonavolanto added two goals apiece for the Eagles (8-2).