Fenwick avoids first loss

Updated: April 30, 2011 11:03PM

Undefeated Fenwick was in an unusual position Saturday in its match against Naperville Central.

The Friars were tied entering the final period, but sophomore Matt Farmer prevented the defending state champions from losing their first match this season. Farmer scored twice in the fourth period, including the game-winning goal with 1:19 remaining, as Fenwick beat Naperville Central 7-6 to win the round-robin Stevenson Invitational.

Fenwick (27-0) defeated the Redhawks (21-4) for the third time this season after winning 14-1 one week earlier in the Fenwick tournament. The Friars went 4-0 at Stevenson, but managed to avoid going into a shootout when Naperville Central had two opportunities to score in the final minute. Fenwick beat Naperville Central to win last year’s state title.

Central’s Pat May missed a skipped shot, which went over the goal, with 53 seconds to go and May’s lob with 10 seconds landed just left of the goal.

Naperville Central became the first team this season to come within one goal of the Friars. Lyons (24-2), which is ranked No. 2 in the state by Illpolo.com, lost 8-6 to Fenwick Friday night in pool play in the first meeting between the two teams. Naperville Central and Lyons each finished 3-1 to tie for second place at Stevenson.

“I was happy to have played [Fenwick],” said David Sekula, Lyons’ leading scorer. “If we win the sectional, we could play them in the first round at state. I’d say we played well with them. We played really well as a team.”

Farmer gave Fenwick its first lead over Naperville Central with 4:34 remaining in the fourth period when Redhawks goalie Pat Stablein could not beat Farmer to a ball. Kristian Atuve scored his second goal of the match to tie the game 20 seconds after Farmer’s go-ahead goal. Farmer finished with three goals in the game.

“That was a great game. That’s one of those games where they gave us a great fight,” Fenwick coach Kyle Perry said.

Naperville Central led 3-1 midway through the second period before Farmer scored his first goal. Fenwick outscored the Redhawks 4-2 in the second half.

Fenwick played the final minute against Naperville Central without leading scorer Connor Brown, who was ejected after picking up his third personal foul. The last time the Redhawks came within one goal of the Friars was 8-7 in the 2005 state championship game.

“It was a little bit of a thrill,” Naperville Central coach Bill Salentine said. “It’s very encouraging. The first time we played them we were tied at halftime [but lost 11-5]. It’s encouraging that Fenwick is potentially beatable.”

Oak Park-River Forest went 1-3 in the tournament and won its only match earlier Saturday against Mundelein, 10-8.

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