Benet Soccer Clinches First in Conference

Benet Academy 6 vs. St. Patricks 0

 The Redwings defeated the St. Patrick Shamrocks on Wednesday afternoon in their sixth East Suburban Catholic Conference soccer match. They played to a full field of spectators as parents, students and superfans joined in the celebration of Benet Academy Senior Night.

Thirteen seniors and their parents were given special recognition during half-time.  Senior players include Dan Coleman (Woodridge), Dan Crowley (Glen Ellyn), Ryan Emerick (Naperville), Brendon Gesior (Downers Grove), John Hupp (Glen Ellyn), Benjamin Kucera (Burr Ridge), Jon Markert (Darien), Hunter Miller (Aurora), Thomas Mojica (Glen Ellyn), Patrick Nemetz (Naperville), Jack Scanlon (Downers Grove), Thomas Sullivan (Naperville) and team manager Alex Gallicho (Naperville).

The senior squad took the field and controlled most of the action from the very start. Seniors Benjamin Kucera, Hunter Miller, Dan Crowley and John Hupp contributed five of the six goals for the evening. The sixth goal was scored by sophomore Sam Knapke on a cross from junior Brad Bozych. Senior Thomas Sullivan was in goal for Benet and had three saves and the shutout.

Benet Academy 5 vs. Nazareth Academy 0

The Benet Academy Redwings defeated Nazareth Academy Roadrunners in LaGrange Park on Friday afternoon. Benet had the momentum from the very start in this ESCC conference match. Senior Patrick Nemetz of Naperville netted two goals for the Redwings just five minutes into the game. The lead was raised to three after Brad Bozych scored on a cross from junior Alex Senak at the 28:59 mark. The Redwings kept pressuring the Roadrunner defense throughout the first half. Junior Joey Chiariello delivered a near perfect corner kick from the left side that found the head of Ryan Emerick. The senior midfielder put it perfectly on net to increase Benet's lead to 4-0 by half.

The Redwings kept up the intensity for the second part of the game, once again proving this squad has significant depth. Junior Kyle Dal Santo of Bolingbrook put in Benet's final goal for the game after scoring on a direct kick with 13:02 remaining.

The Benet defense continues to give up very few scoring opportunities, frustrating opponents. Benet has won their last nine games outscoring their opponents 28-2.

Dal Santo was in goal for the Redwings in the first half and had one save. Senior Thomas Sullivan was in goal the second half and had two saves. Senior Eric Diaz was in goal for Nazareth and had eight saves for the game.

Benet Academy 2 vs. Naperville Central 0

fell 2-0 to the Benet Academy Redwings on Saturday afternoon in a much anticipated Fox Valley soccer matchup.

Benet (13-3-1) can add Naperville Central (13-3) to its list of high quality wins, which also include West Chicago, Peoria Notre Dame, Metea Valley and Carmel.

The Redwings came out strong with an offensive surge just minutes into the game. Deep in Redhawk territory, junior Joey Chiariello tossed a long throw-in to senior Benjamin Kucera of Burr Ridge.  Kucera was able to head the ball to junior Alex Senak (Glen Ellyn) who netted Benet's first goal with 36:58 remaining in the first half.

Kucera also capitalized on a hand ball in the box with 22 minutes remaining in the second half.  The Creighton recruit buried the ball in the lower right to give the Redwings the 2-0 lead.   

Naperville Central was more consistent and played the better second half, executing some nice play combinations and putting several quality shots on frame.  Benet goalie, Kyle Dal Santo of Bolingbrook, had five saves for the game.  Two shots were destined for the back of the net, yet Dal Santo was able to lay out and send both shots just inches over the cross bar. Junior keeper, Mike Pavliga, had one save for Naperville Central.

Central  was never able to score the equalizer, but put a good deal of pressure on Redwing defenders Brendon Gesior, Dan Coleman,  James Coletti, Thomas Mojica and Robert Tomecek.  The Benet defense can be credited for much of the team's success and has given up only two goals in the last ten games.

Today's matchup was also played without Benet senior forward, Hunter Miller, who was away on a college recruiting visit. Benet experienced a similar challenge early in the season as they faced Naperville North and Neuqua Valley without Kucera, who was visiting Creighton. Those games marked two of Benet's three losses for the season.

According to Benet Coach Sean Wesley, "As the season has progressed, the team has developed a great chemistry, and much of that has come through senior leadership on the field.  They are a great group of kids who support one another and don't play as individual players."  Wesley added, "This chemistry has been the difference between an ordinary season and an outstanding one."

Benet will face Downers Grove South on Thursday, Oct. 13th and St. Viator on Friday.  The Redwings are now 7-0 in the East Suburban Catholic Conference and are guaranteed a first place finish. A win over long standing rival St. Viator will ensure that they don't have to share that title.