For the first time since 2007 a team from Illinois handed the Fenwick boys water team a loss, and it happened to be cross-town rival Oak Park. The Huskies downed the Friars 16-10 in the final round of the Dan Lynch Tournament in front of a capacity crowd at Fenwick’s pool on Saturday.
Fresh off a 15-4 clobbering of St. Ignatius in the previous round, Oak Park jumped on the six-time state champ Friars from the start and never looked back. Tommy Poulos led the charge, scoring five goals. Dylan O’Connell added four goals for the Huskies, who held a 10-7 lead at the break.
Others who found the net for Oak Park included Armando Lee, Luke O’Connell and Troy Williams, who each scored two goals apiece. Goalkeeper David Anderson recorded 11 saves for the Huskies.
“They are much bigger and faster than us and we let their physical play dictate the game,” said Fenwick head coach Dave Perry. “I don’t think anyone will beat them this year. They use their size and speed to handle anything, and their defense is outstanding.”
John Osborne led the Friars with four goals and three assists. Ted Herbstritt and Will Rigali each scored two apiece.
To open the tournament, the Huskies demolished Stevenson 25-4. Poulos led the onslaught with six goals, while Nathan Williams, Dylan O’Connell, Luke O’Connell and Lee each scored three apiece. Anderson had 15 saves.
Oak Park travels to Morton East today (Wednesday, March 24) to take on the Mustangs and welcome Hinsdale South on Thursday (5:30 p.m.).
On Thursday, freshman Matt Farmer led Fenwick past St. Patrick by scoring six goals in an 18-6 victory. Connor Brown added three for the Friars, who also downed Curie, 15-2, and Homewood-Flossmoor, 10-5.
The Friars began last week by trouncing St. Rita 22-3. Rigali, Mike Deacy, Osborne, Herbstritt, Brown, Eric Fleischman, Viken Huening, Dennis Magdato, and Ben Skowren all scored two goals apiece in that win.
Fenwick hosts St. Viator today at 5:30 p.m.
