McHenry falls short in Elite 8

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LINCOLNSHIRE – Brothers Jon and Philip Lesniak hugged in the locker room after McHenry’s 14-12 loss to Sandburg in the quarterfinals of the IHSA Boys Water Polo State Finals on Friday, neither wanting the experience to end.

Jon, a senior, and Phillip, a sophomore, were critical members of the Warriors’ team that advanced to state for the first time since the IHSA took over the tournament in 2002. Jon Lesniak said the thrill of making it to state was made even more special by getting to play alongside his brother.

Jon Lesniak scored five goals to lead McHenry, and Phillip Lesniak added two Friday at Stevenson High School.

“It’s the best experience of my life,” Jon Lesniak said. “He’s my best friend and my brother.”

Down, 5-3, after the first quarter, McHenry scored four consecutive goals to start the second quarter and take a 7-6 lead at halftime.

Warriors coach Craig Fowles said he was running a zone defense in the first half that prevented the Eagles from getting the ball inside. Sandburg made some adjustments at the half and broke the zone with some goals from long range.

“For the first half, they didn’t know what to do,” Fowles said. “All of a sudden they decided they could shoot from the outside.”

Sandburg put the game away in the fourth quarter, scoring four consecutive goals in less than two minutes to go up, 13-9.

Sandburg will face Lyons in one semifinal today, and Fenwick will take on Naperville Central in the other semifinal.

The Eagles played a tenacious defense that made even passing a struggle much less getting off shots. McHenry was looking for help from the officials but did not get the calls they were accustomed to.

Reilly Shanahan seemed to spend more time under the water on offense than he did above. He scored three goals on 11 shots.

“You had to get punched in the face to get a foul,” Shanahan said. “They were shoving me everywhere.”

Also scoring goals for the Warriors were Graham Olson and Brandon Das. Dan Brucki made 16 saves in goal.

McHenry will graduate starters Olson and Jon Lesniak, but Fowles said he expects to field a competitive team next year.

“I think we’ve got the chance of being a threat again,” Fowles said. “I think that people will remember us.”

Jon Lesniak said other than the tough loss to Sandburg, it was a great season. And with two more years left for his brother Phillip, Jon said going to state will pay big dividends for the team.

“There’s no regrets. There’s nothing negative except the fact that we lost,” Jon Lesniak said. “We were there. Everybody else has experience now.”