The boys water polo team has started off their season 13-0, blowing away their opponents, including Loyola, with their incredibly strong defense and team dynamics. Finally, after years of flying under the radar, New Trier is in the spotlight.
Many have called the Trevians the best in state right now, and their perfect record certainly implies it. However, head coach David Goodspeed wanted to set the record straight.
“We’re the only undefeated team, but we haven’t played everyone yet, so it’s a little skewed,” he said. “Still, this is the best start we’ve ever had. We’ve already played in two tournaments, both with pretty good competition. So while I wouldn’t call us best in state yet, we’re certainly doing very well.”
For the last two years, the Trevians have lost to Loyola in the sectional finals. Loyola then went on to get third in state in 2011, and second in 2012. So, while they’ve lost, it hasn’t been to a bad team. “We’ve made it to the sectional finals for the last two years, and we lost by one or two points each time, and the team that’s beat us has done really well each time. So while we’ve done well the last two years, we don’t get any respect as a program,” said Goodspeed.
So far, what’s made the team so successful, and has earned them the most praise, has been their outstandingly strong defense. “The team defense is outstanding, they really play together as a unit, they help each other out. We have three senior goalies, and they’re all just great. No matter what, we can always plug one in, and they’re almost indistinguishable; they’ve really done a great job,” said Goodspeed.
Still, their offense has left a little to be desired. “When you have a strong defense, it really sets up your offense. Right now, I’d say our only problem has been our offense. We’re not scoring enough goals. We don’t have the teamwork,” said Goodspeed.
This is not to say that no one on the team can score. “When you look at our goalscoring, I don’t think we’ve had a game where less than five players have scored. We’ve got a lot of diversity, we just need to score more,” said Goodspeed.
“Jordan Palmer and Joey Ryan are the best defenders on the team, but the reason we’re doing so well is because of Reid McCulloch, John Schulz, Jason Bartha, Matt Connell; those guys are so improved over last year, it’s ridiculous.
“Some teams have ‘the guy,’ but our scoring is so diverse that we don’t need one,” he added.
So far, the Trevians have played Loyola twice and beaten them in both contests. In their most recent game against Loyola, on April 3, they won by their highest margin yet, 15-6.
Ryan and Palmer scored the bulk of New Trier’s goals, scoring five and six respectively, with Ryan picking up three assists. Jack Riggio, Schulz and Bartha all added one goal each in the win.
The Trevians played Tuesday at Niles West, with the results coming in after press time. The season continues today with a contest at Glenbrook South.
The team was just named the National Guard Team of the Month.