There’s no overlooking that New Trier boys water polo standout Charlie Ryan is a scorer. He entered the week with 51 goals. But Ryan brings a lot more to the pool.
“He is that rock that does a lot of stuff that doesn’t show up on the scoresheet,” New Trier coach David Rafferty-Flatter said. “Charlie throws a wrench into (opposing) teams.”
Thanks in part to Ryan’s two goals, the Trevians won the Central Suburban League tournament with a 12-3 victory over Glenbrook South in Northbrook on Saturday, May 7.
Junior twin brothers Henry and Sam Yavitt and junior Danilo Scekic scored two goals apiece for the Trevians. Junior goalie Cole Maziel recorded several point-blank saves to keep the Titans at bay. New Trier, which won the Central Suburban South during the regular season, improved to 26-3-1.
Ryan added four steals, registered two assists and drew two penalties on offense, both of which led to Trevians goals.
“I try to do the little things as best as I can,” Ryan said. “It’s not always about the glamour stats.”
“Charlie is really good at seeing the opportunities for quick passes and quick shots,” Trevians senior captain Michael Krueger said. “He’s very crafty in the pool.”
Ryan, who has been on the varsity for three years, credits much of his success to his brother Joey, an all-conference performer at New Trier who graduated in 2013.
“The first time I touched the water polo ball was in fourth grade because of my older brother (Joey),” Charlie Ryan said. “He helps me a lot when he’s home from school, which is a nice added perspective. Once he got me into the sport, I never wanted to stop.”
Rafferty-Flatter was on the staff when Joey Ryan played for the Trevians.
“Joey played a more physical game. A really good water polo player,” Rafferty-Flatter said.
“Joey is going to kill me for saying this, but Charlie is a little bit smarter — if you go age-to-age right now. They both lead by example.”
The elder Ryan plays at Mercyhurst in Erie, Pa.
The younger Ryan will be attending Illinois in the fall, where he plans to join the Illini’s men’s water polo club team.
Notes
* The Trevians girls water polo team also captured the Central Suburban League tournament on Saturday, May 7, earning a convincing 9-3 victory over Evanston. Lauren Barrett led the way with six goals. Barrett, a senior, is scheduled to play at California in the fall.
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Mark Perlman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @markdavidperlma