Abby Haskell and Abby O’Connor were teammates as freshmen at Naperville Central.
They became opponents after Haskell transferred to Naperville North following their sophomore year.
The two seniors matched wits Monday night as the second-ranked Redhawks and third-ranked Huskies played in the annual DuPage Valley Conference crosstown game at Memorial Stadium.
The temperature was cold and the wind sometimes brisk, but neither girl noticed.
“It was exhilarating,” Haskell said. “I love playing against Naperville Central and I’m sure they love playing against us.”
Of that there could be no doubt. The atmosphere crackled with life.
“It was definitely intense out there,” O’Connor said. “You could feel the energy. Both teams wanted to win so badly.”
Neither team did, though. After 100 minutes of regulation and two overtimes, the game ended in a 0-0 tie, mostly thanks to the play of Haskell and O’Connor.
Haskell, a Southern Illinois Edwardsville recruit, made six saves and the Carnegie Mellon-bound O’Connor came up with nine in a terrific display of clutch goalkeeping.
“Both goalkeepers played very well,” Naperville Central coach Ed Watson said. “There’s no doubt.”
Naperville North (11-1-2, 2-0-1) and Naperville Central (11-0-1, 2-0-1) both feature dangerous Division I strikers and each team had quality chances, but nobody was surprised the game ended up scoreless.
Haskell came up big in the second half, blocking an open shot by Taylor Walk and twice denying Northwestern-bound midfielder Megan Norkett on hard shots from distance.
Haskell also stopped Norkett once in the second OT.
“They were very, very athletic,” Haskell said. “Molly (O’Rear) and Norkett create some amazing passes for their team and they’re hard to play against.
“I’d be lying if I didn’t say a couple times I was a little scared because they were coming at me pretty quickly. You just kind of zone in and play in the moment — don’t try to think about it too much.”
O’Connor was just as stellar. She tipped a line drive from North Alabama commit Olivia Anderson over the crossbar in the first half and deflected Madison Korosec’s 30-yard free kick into the crossbar early in the second half.
O’Connor also made a point-blank stop off a goalmouth scramble in the first OT.
“Every time you make a save, it feels really good,” O’Connor said. “Honestly, I’m so locked in, in a game so intense, I don’t notice I’m cold until afterward.”
Neither does she notice Haskell during games. They are both too busy with the task at hand, but they are friendly rivals
“I haven’t really talked to her too much,” Haskell said. “But in the conversations I’ve had in the past couple years, she’s always been so nice to me.”
O’Connor enjoys playing against Haskell.
“Oh, it’s a little funny,” O’Connor said. “She obviously is good competition, for sure, so she always puts up a good game.”
Naperville North coach Steve Goletz is happy he has Haskell in the net.
“When you get a kid like Abby Haskell who comes in, you’re just super excited,” Goletz said. “Not only is she a fantastic goalkeeper but she’s a fantastic kid who has brought so much to this team.
“I thought we gave up very few chances, but the chances that we did were quality and Abby made some great saves.”
The Redhawks and Huskies also could meet again Saturday afternoon in the Naperville Invitational championship game.
“Of course, I would have loved to win, but I am glad we came out of here feeling good,” Haskell said. “Everyone put out the best effort they could. We’ll just come back stronger next time, especially if we have to play them again Saturday.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.