SouthtownStar boys water polo note

Lincoln-Way North possesses one of the area’s stingiest defenses, and it was on display in Saturday’s third-place match at the Sandburg Tournament.

The Phoenix and a St. Charles North squad ranked among the state’s top 20 teams battled for nearly 2½ quarters before the North Stars scored the game’s first goal in the third quarter. Lincoln-Way North lost 2-1.

“We lost to them 11-5 earlier in the season, so this shows good progress for us,” Phoenix coach Pat Shaughnessy said. “We had a lot of good opportunities. When we get open looks, we get a little nervous. We’re still working on that.”

Goalie Shamus Shields had 65 saves in four games as Lincoln-Way North went 2-2 in the Sandburg Tournament.

With its defense solidified, the Phoenix (7-9) is intent on improving the offensive attack before sectionals.

“We hold a lot of teams under 10 goals, but that also happens to us a lot,” Shaughnessy said. “Our focus is all offense right now.”