Warriors swamped 
at state

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LINCOLNSHIRE – In the first period of its boys water polo IHSA state quarterfinal game against St. Ignatius, McHenry could not get a decent shot off, much less score.

The Warriors (28-5) never were able to find any offensive flow, losing, 14-8, to end their season as one of the state’s top eight teams.

“We didn’t play our offense,” McHenry coach Craig Fowles said. “We couldn’t get it started.”

Fowles said he couldn’t point to a specific reason for his team’s offensive struggles.

“It was kind of an off day. I guess it happens,” Fowles said. “This was one for sure.”                                                              

Reilly Shanahan got the Warriors on the board two minutes into the second period. Scott Dabrowski also scored in the second as McHenry trailed, 7-2, at halftime.

Shanahan said they had to exert a lot of energy on defense to guard the Wolfpack, which might have impacted the Warriors’ offense.

“No one set up on offense,” Shanahan said. “The first half we just struggled to get up.”

 McHenry got going in the third quarter, scoring five goals, but was unable to gain any ground with St. Ignatius also putting in five. Shanahan scored twice in the period and Dabrowski, Brandon Das and Kyle Braun also scored.

St. Ignatius (23-9) played a physical defense, and the Warriors struggled even to pass the ball.

Phillip Lesniak said water polo always is physical, but said the Wolfpack did hinder the Warriors’ offensive game.

“We’re used to it,” Lesniak said. “We couldn’t get it past the half at times.”

Dan Brucki made 10 saves for McHenry, including several on point-blank shots. Shanahan said Brucki single-handedly kept them in the game.

“Brucki played a great game,” Shanahan said. “It could have been 25-8.”

Fowles said McHenry was building a reputation for its water polo after qualifying for state the past two seasons. It is the only two state appearances for McHenry since the state series started in 2002.

“Getting there is the goal,” Fowles said of qualifying for state. “Anything that happens after that is gravy.”