The Fenwick boys water polo team is on a mission to win its fifth consecutive state championship this postseason. Latin quickly discovered on Saturday that knocking off the Friars is virtually mission impossible as Fenwick routed the visiting Romans 18-4 to claim its sectional title.
The only team to taste victory this season against the dynastic Friars (15 state championships overall) hails from the Sunshine State. Ransom Everglades defeated Fenwick 9-5 on May 29 in Miami.
Since that setback to the Raiders, Fenwick has reeled off 21 consecutive victories, capped off by its impressive win over Latin (19-7) at the Dan O’Brien Aquatics Center.
The focused Friars (30-1) blitzed Latin early with a stifling defensive effort and lethal counter-attacking offense to take an 11-3 lead by intermission. In the third quarter, Dan Barron scored a pair of goals and Andrew McKernin added a score to extend the Fenwick lead to 14-3.
Carlo Pasquesi scored a goal for the Romans two minutes into the fourth quarter; however, McKernin, Chris Wendt, Dan Barron and Ryan Bartecki scored the game’s final four goals.
Fenwick coach Dave Perry lauded his players’ complete game performance.
“Unlike the last few years where we seemed to be a little slower getting started, this team is different,” Perry said. “This group definitely starts fast. The thing I like about this team is they don’t get frustrated or down. Latin scored a goal early [today] and the boys were like, ‘okay they scored a goal, that’s alright and away we go'”
McKernin led the Friars with a game-high five goals, while junior brothers Dan Barron (3 goals, 3 assists, 2 steals) and Brian Barron (4 goals, 4 steals, 2 assists) continued their stellar play. Craig Borkovec added two goals and two assists and goalie Matt Napleton had 10 saves. Wendt, an all-state junior, contributed three goals, five assists and three steals.
“We came out strong and held a good tempo,” Wendt said. “It’s great to start off the playoffs like this, and now we can keep the momentum going into state. Hopefully, we can come home with another [state] championship.”
Hosted by Stevenson High School, the state tournament opens this week for the Friars with a game against Schaumburg on Thursday at 8:15 p.m.
“Our goal is to win a state championship,” Perry said. “We know that they’re not going to hand us the trophy. That’s another good thing about our team is that the boys stay focused.”
The Friars certainly earned a strong endorsement from Latin coach Jim Smith.
“Fenwick is tough anywhere, anytime, any place,” he said. “Our boys played their hearts out, but Fenwick has too much talent and depth.”