Redhawks rolling at the right time of year

By Eddie Burns

The postseason can’t come fast enough for Naperville Central.

Chris Prince, Art Garza and the rest of the Redhawks are rolling after their latest conquest.

Led by Prince’s three goals and Garza’s goal and two assists, the Redhawks put a damper on Wheaton Warrenville South’s chances at an outright DuPage Valley Conference championship with a dominating 4-1 victory against the Tigers on a chilly Tuesday night at Red Grange Field.

“Yes, I am surprised (at the outcome),” Central coach Jay Konrad said. “WW South is a great team – they are. They are well coached and have great players. They are a legitimate top team in any sectional. I am very happy. There is not much I can complain about. I am really proud of the kids.”

WW South (16-3-2, 4-1-1) entered the match needing a win against Central and against West Aurora on Thursday to claim the DVC title all to itself, but the Redhawks (12-3-2, 4-2) had other ideas.

Central had not played since its 1-1 draw at Plainfield Central on Oct. 5, but the Redhawks appeared rested and aggressive from the moment the match started.

Prince set the tone for the night when he squeezed a tight shot from 20 yards out inside the near post to beat WW South goalie Derek Babb in the 26th minute.

The Redhawks maintained their one-goal lead into the early stages of the second half when Prince tacked on two additional goals in the 42nd and 44th minute.

A Garza restart from near midfield resulted in a Prince header for the second goal.

The third goal came on a penalty kick and was Prince’s 23rd goal of the season and 34th of his career. Prince now owns Central’s single-season record for goals scored, which was held by Mike Kirby in 1986 and Prince also is tied with Kevin Birgart for career goals.

“I was on my game tonight,” Prince said. “I felt it. Before the game even started, we were pumped up for tonight. We were ready for this and didn’t overlook them. We surprised ourselves, but that is how we should play.”

Prince wasn’t alone in setting records. Garza assisted two of Prince’s goals, which gives Garza 30 assists for his career and that tops Matt De’Ercola’s previous best of 28.

“It means a lot, but records are meant to be broken,” Garza said. “I broke it and now I’m waiting for someone else to come along and break it.”

Garza later added goal of own on a 30-yard volley in the 58th minute.

“Art’s goal was ridiculous,” Konrad said.  “Art’s first thought is always to distribute and slot guys in because he is a playmaker and that is how his brain works, which is awesome, but he’s two-footed and can strike the ball well. We have to remind him, ‘Hey, if you get 25 yards in be selfish sometimes.’ Sometimes it has to be about Art. I was very happy to see him hit that unbelievable shot.”

It wasn’t just Garza and Prince who did all of the damage. Midfielder Colin Rook had one of his best games making contributions all over the field. Senior Cam Thulin earned the start in goal and was pretty steady. Thulin finished with a handful of saves, but allowed the Tigers a goal in later stages. Defenders Peter Beasley and Chris Bedell also had several contributions.

Central’s victory also allows Naperville North to become the outright DVC champion if the Huskies can beat West Chicago on Thursday.

“My whole life I’ve been helping my brother (North coach Jim Konrad) out,” Jay Konrad said. “It was nice the boys could help out there cross-town favorites.”

Men of the match:
Chris Prince and Art Garza

By Eddie Burns

There might not be a better 1-2 punch in the area than the dynamic duo of Naperville Central’s Art Garza and Chris Prince.

The duo has set a number of Central records and they consistently present problems for the opposition.

Prince tallied three goals against WW South and could have easily had a fourth if a shot hadn’t hit the post.

“There are days in basketball when the hoop feels like it is 20 feet wide to someone who is on and it was one of those types of days for Chris today,” Central coach Jay Konrad said. “He scored these goals against a very good goalie in Derek Babb.”

WW South coach Guy Callipari was impressed with what he saw from Prince, who now has 23 goals this season.

“His presence allowed everyone on their side of the ball to rise to the occasion and they played better knowing they had a player they could go to and lead and get things done,” Callipari said.

He was starting to be a man among the boys a little bit. Somebody had to come in and change that and nobody did. He stood tall.”

Most of Prince’s goals would not have occurred without assistance from teammate Art Garza, who is one of the most unselfish players around.

Garza became Central’s career assist leader against WW South.

Central’s players celebrated with a little additional energy after Garza’s accomplishment.

“The guys were just jacked for Art,” Konrad said. “He played the first third of the season coming off surgery and what we saw tonight – you would be hard-pressed to find a better attacking midfielder. I’m not knocking anyone from Neuqua Valley or Lyons Township, but boy oh boy, Art was just unreal tonight.”

With Garza and Prince operating at a high level, the Redhawks will be a tough out for anyone come this postseason.

Naperville Central starters vs. WW South