Not only did the season come to an end for Lyons Township’s boys water polo team Saturday in a sectional final at Western Springs, so did the careers of several LT athletes who helped guide the team into becoming a state power.

After topping Stagg 15-4 Friday night in a sectional semifinal, the Lions drew Brother Rice Saturday for the sectional championship. The game was nip-and-tuck the entire way, with Brother Rice emerging victorious by an 8-7 score.

The loss ended LT’s season with a 27-3 record, but also ended the careers of Scott Nemecek, Mark Nemecek, Pete Cosentino, Paul Busse and Mark Castro, as well as Connor Burke. That group helped LT to the state tournament last year.

“We knew it was going to be a one-goal game because we had beaten them once and they had beaten us once this year,” Cosentino said. “I think it could have went either way. It’s hard. We knew we had an opportunity to accomplish great things and we were lucky enough to get to state last year.

“I’d like to thank coach Eichstaedt for all he’s done for us. It was a great run for us.”

The Lions jumped up 1-0 on the Mustangs thanks to a goal from Scott Nemecek, but watched as Brother Rice scored the next two goals to claim the lead.

LT came back with three straight goals of its own, though, with Mark Nemecek scoring two tie the score. Castro then netted two goals to give LT a 4-2 lead early in the second quarter.

From there, however, the Mustangs put up three straight goals to take a 5-4 lead at intermission.

The Lions got goals from Castro and Scott Nemecek to knot the game at 6-apiece heading into the final quarter, but the Mustangs scored the game’s final goal with 3:43 showing on the clock after Cosentino tied it at 7-apiece.

Scott Nemecek had a breakaway late, but his shot was stopped. The Lions also had a man-up situation in the final minute, but couldn’t score on that, either.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game and what that came down to the fourth quarter,” LT coach Doug  Eichstaedt said. “It was going to come down to who made more plays. We went up, they went up, it went back-and-forth and we kept creating opportunities.

“We just didn’t score when we needed to in the end. You never want to lose, but they are a very good team and they beat us today.”

In the win over Stagg, the Lions went up 8-1 after the first quarter and cruised from there. Mark Nemecek scored four times, while Castro, Peter Bruton and Scott Nemecek each tallied two goals.

After taking third last year, the Lions were considered one of the favorites this year, but it wasn’t to be.

“It’s disappointing to not get back to state, but sometimes the top teams don’t always get to go,” Eichstaedt said. “We did everything we could. Every time we’ve played these guys it’s been a battle.

“These guys have set the standard for what we’d like to do. We had a great run with these guys and you can’t really replace them. Now, the younger guys have a great opportunity to step up.”