Benet Soccer Recap: Redwings Ready for Tournament Play

Benet Academy, 1 vs. Downers Grove South, 1

The Redwings tied the Downers Grove South Mustangs 1-1 on Thursday afternoon in Downers Grove.  While Benet Academy created more scoring opportunities (17-6) and had more shots on goal (8-3), it was the Redwing squad that was lucky to call it a draw. 

Benet Academy, hot off a recent ten game winning streak, had difficulty penetrating the Mustang defense all game long. While the Redwings (13-3-2) were able to lead the game with shots on goal, the quality of those shots was not there.  And with 3:06 minutes remaining in the first half, Downers Grove had their first shot on the Benet goal. The Mustangs converted on a corner kick from the right side that the Benet defense allowed to pass the goal face. Downer's Grove scored on a perfect header placed just inside the left post.

The second half was marked by scrappy play from both camps and it appeared that the Mustangs would have the win.  But it was junior Alex Senak of Glen Ellyn, that extended Benet's unbeaten streak to 13 games by scoring the equalizer with just five minutes remaining in the game. Senak managed to unload on a deflected shot from about 25 yards out on the right.  It was Senak's follow-up shot that was mishandled by the goalie and found the back of the net to give Benet the 1-1 tie.

“We have a big game tomorrow and this was a good wake-up call for our players,” said Benet coach Sean Wesley. “Credit still goes to the Downers Grove South players. They kept pressuring the ball up and down the field and played solid defense whenever we were close to their goal.”

St. Viator, 2 vs. Benet, 1

The Benet Academy Redwings lost 2-1 to Saint Viator on Friday afternoon at Celtic Field in Palatine.  While Benet Academy created more scoring opportunities (16-9) and outshot their opponents 6-5 on goal, it was the Viator squad that managed to score two goals in the final seven minutes of play.

The win allows the St. Viator Lions a share of the East Suburban Catholic Conference championship title along with Benet and Carmel.  All three teams went 7-1 in conference.

Benet put a lot of pressure on the Viator defense in the first half.  In the 30^th minute, sophomore Sam Knapke maneuvered past several Lion midfielders on the right side before sending a long pass to junior Alex Senak in the middle. Senak posted the first goal of the game after drilling the ball top left.   

The talented Benet squad appeared tired as the game wore on and with seven minutes remaining in the game, Viator junior Troy Wheeler found Spencer Moore (So) inside the 6-yard box who headed the ball in the back of the net.

Viator now had the momentum and with only three minutes remaining in the game, senior Adam Fetter was able to tap in Kevin Patzke’s (Sr) initial shot that hit the post and ricocheted around the goal area.

"We had a solid first half, but we didn't manage our lead well and gave away two goals and the outright conference title," said Benet coach Sean Wesley.  “This is a valuable lesson as to what can happen when we’re not playing a full 80 minutes of soccer. This is a very talented team that can go far, but we need to pull all the elements together in the final stretch.”

Both teams begin tournament play next week.  The Lions will face the Stevenson Patriots on Wednesday.   Benet faces Waubonsie Valley in their regional opener on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.