After more than two decades coaching Naperville Central girls water polo, head coach Jeff Plackett estimates that he’s seen more than 10,000 goals scored in high school games, but none bigger than a moment Abbey Kerth also recounts as a favorite. Ironically, it was not at a state final, but at a regular season tournament over St. Patrick’s Day weekend in 2012. In a matchup of the top 2 teams in Illinois, Naperville Central was hosting Fenwick in the final game of the tournament. The Friars were on an unprecedented run, having not lost a game in almost two years and starting six players that would go on to earn All-American honors. During the third overtime period of a tie game, Kerth would step out and bury a sudden victory goal that would not only end the Friars’ streak, but solidify her selection as Illinois Player of the Year in 2012, in addition to securing All-America recognition for herself. Plackett calls it, “The greatest goal I have ever seen. That shot singlehandedly changed the perception of our program statewide.”
It takes a special athlete to earn a varsity letter all four years of their high school playing career, yet somehow, “special” doesn't seem to adequately reflect just how important Abbey Kerth was to the growth of girls’ water polo, not just at Naperville Central High School, but in the Naperville community at large. From 2009 through 2012, Kerth was a dominating force in the water, starting every game of her high school career, controlling the space in front of the goal as the Redhawks’ primary center on a series of teams that set a new standard for the program.
Abbey's journey in aquatics began at the Naper Carriage Hill pool, where she developed an unrivaled work ethic in all things pool-related. Under the guidance of age group coach Martin Bell, Abbey began playing water polo at the age of 7; Abbey counts Bell’s guidance as critical to her development as a player, in addition to Naperville Central swim coach Sue Welker's support for her water polo career. By the time she arrived at Naperville Central, it was clear to coaches that Abbey was ready to compete and succeed against some of the best players in the state, despite her young age. Kerth was recognized for her efforts as a 4x All-Sectional designation, in addition to being named All-State three times by Illinois Water Polo.
Kerth’s freshman season was a springboard to unparalleled success. Teams led by Kerth would go on to compete in four consecutive state final tournaments, finishing as the state runner-up twice, and see Abbey rewrite the record book along the way. Kerth still holds the career scoring record, amassing an incredible 403 goals in four seasons, despite sitting for most 4th quarters because of lopsided goal differentials. Her total ranks among the top-10 in IHSA history, and four of the top-10 spots for IHSA “wins in a season” belong to teams Abbey Kerth was an integral part of. “That stretch, and those athletes were special,” said Naperville Central coach Jeff Plackett, “and it’s impossible to quantify just how important Abbey was not only because of her skill and desire to put in extra work, but also because she set an example that others wanted to follow.”
Following her time as a Redhawk, Abbey continued her playing career for the Arizona State Sun Devils, finding just as much success at the collegiate level under head coach Todd Clapper. Kerth’s leadership would once again earn her captain status for two years, and see her named a member of the All-Conference team for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, the governing body for West Coast collegiate water polo. In 2016, Kerth graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, adding collegiate All-American honors to her resume. After earning a Master’s Degree in Accounting, Kerth returned to Illinois to begin her career at Ernst & Young and coach local club water polo, including the Redhawk Water Polo Club, the primary offseason training program for Naperville Central girls water polo players.
In addition to her strength as an athlete, Abbey has a gift for developing and maintaining relationships with the friends and teammates who were instrumental to her success. She shares credit with fellow Naperville Central Athletic Hall of Fame member Claire Fleming for teaching her how to be a leader of peers, Redhawk teammates Emily Sejna and Julia Campbell, both All-Americans themselves, and college teammates Katie Sverchek, Daisy Carter, Alicia Brightwell, and Maud Koopman. The point is echoed in her advice to current athletes: “All the wins & losses and awards all fade from memory, and the people and memories are what you will always keep close to you! You are more likely to remember the song you used to sing on bus rides than the number of wins you had in a season. Live in the moment and enjoy your teammates! Camaraderie like that does not come often! The relationships and life lessons you gain through sport are much more important than the goals and team records.”
As Kerth’s focus has shifted from her playing career to her coaching career, so too has the focus of her family. Abbey is quick to point out the unconditional love and sacrifice her parents Bill and Katie made to support her dreams and the example set by her older sister Amanda, as she prepares to welcome her first child in the coming months with husband, former Arizona State football player Evan Goodman.
It’s fun to think that Baby Goodman, a future Redhawk himself, will also someday hear the story of his mom’s exceptional high school athletic career – and the greatest goal ever scored.