Andrew Shashin helps Stevenson get past Barrington

No. 1 Stevenson 12, No. 4 Barrington 4

THE SKINNY

Stevenson’s boys water polo team earned a No. 1 seed for the Mundelein boys Sectional largely because of its offense. The Patriots (25-7) totaled a school-record 402 goals during the regular season, then scored 21 in a blowout win over Lake Forest to open the postseason Wednesday. On Friday, they put up another 12 goals in defeating No. 4 Barrington 12-4.

TURNING POINT

If there’s one weakness to this Patriots team, it’s their starts. Slow again out of the gate, Stevenson was vulnerable as late as the midway point of the second period, leading the Broncos (23-7) by one goal, 3-2. But Stevenson scored three times in the final 4:16, two goals coming from freshman Andrew Shashin.

THE STAR

Shashin. One of the better freshmen in the state, he controlled the center of the pool the entire match. Barrington could not defend Shashin, who finished with five goals, four in the first half. Six different Patriots scored. Mitch Sokolsky and Zach Stephens each scored twice. Chase Lesniak had two goals for the Broncos.

BY THE NUMBERS

Stevenson plays the winner of Mundelein-Libertyville in the sectional final Saturday at 11 a.m.

QUOTABLE

“[Shashin] is a beast. As a freshman, to be that consistent and dependable. I couldn’t think of a better hole set to play with.” — Sokolsky