Weekly Scores: Benet Varsity Soccer

Benet vs. Schaumburg, 2-2
Benet Academy Redwings tied the Schaumburg Saxons 2-2 on Saturday afternoon in their final game of the Hinsdale Central Soccer Invite. Benet’s earlier 1-0 win over Class 2A defending champs Peoria Notre Dame, gave the Redwings the tournament win based on overall points.

The Schaumburg game was a highly physical battle, with all four goals scored on penalty kicks and restarts.  With 28 minutes remaining in the first half, senior Dan Coleman scored on a restart giving Benet the early lead. Senior Hunter Miller had the assist by playing a short pass to Coleman, who turned and fired on the right post from six yards out.

Schaumburg senior Joe Faleni equalized the score just four minutes later after heading the ball into the net off another restart.

Schaumburg took the lead 2-1 with six minutes remaining in the first half, after a handball was called in the box against Benet. Junior Keeper Kyle Dal Santo blocked the initial shot by by Schaumburg senior Jake Savino, but Savino was there to finish. Dal Santo had seven saves for the game and Schaumburg goalie Ben Beard had four saves.

Schaumburg managed to hold the lead for most of the second half while Benet battled back furiously.  With three minutes left in the game, the Redwings capitalized on a handball called in the box. Benet senior Hunter Miller scored on the penalty kick resulting in the 2-2 draw for the game and the tournament win for the Redwings.

Benet will face Carmel Catholic High School on Monday at 6:30 p.m. in Mundelein.  This will be Benet’s first East Suburban Catholic Conference game.

Benet Academy vs. Peoria Notre Dame, 1-0
The Benet Academy Redwings (2-3) earned a 1-0 victory on Friday evening against Peoria Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 2010 Class 2A Soccer Champions. Benet has struggled against some tough early competition, but their new offensive game was in top form this evening. 

Peoria (3-1) has established a reputation as one of the state’s best soccer programs. With just four returning starters this year, they have high expectations for their varsity squad comprised mostly of juniors.  While the first ten minutes of play were controlled by Peoria, Benet emerged with more energy and confidence as the first half came to a close.

According to Benet Coach Sean Wesley, "The team has appeared hot and cold in past weeks.  Peoria Notre Dame is a fantastic team and they played extremely well the first ten minutes of play." Wesley added, "Senior Hunter Miller proved to be just too dangerous. He was great at bringing the ball up, holding the ball and allowing the offense the time they needed to set up." 

Miller eventually scored the Redwings lone goal with 12:39 remaining in the second half after a long ball played by junior keeper Kyle Dal Santo was flicked off to Miller by junior Joey Chiariello.

Dal Santo also had a nice save early in the second half, managing to get a few fingertips on a hard shot, deflecting the ball into the crossbar. Dal Santo had three saves for the game.  Peoria Notre Dame keeper Mitch Auer had four saves.

Benet will face Schaumburg High School on Saturday at 3pm at Hinsdale Central.

Benet Academy vs. Carmel Catholic, 1-0
The Benet Academy Redwings defeated the Carmel Catholic Corsairs 1-0 in Mundelein on Monday, September 12th. This was the first conference game for Benet. Carmel played a great possession game during the first half, but failed to create any real scoring opportunities. Benet gained momentum in the second half after some offensive adjustments which included moving senior Benjamin Kucera up top. With 15:48 minutes remaining in the second half, senior Hunter Miller laid a nice ball to Kucera over the Carmel defenders. Kucera executed a nice pull back move leaving the goalie off balance and allowing for an easy tap in shot.

According to Benet coach Sean Wesley, "The team played well. While we didn't keep possession well in the first half, we settled down in the second, held the ball well, and played with good spacing." Wesley added, "Moving Kucera up top made us more dangerous offensively."

Benet registered five shots on goal for the game while Carmel Catholic had three shots. Benet keeper, Kyle Dal Santo (Jr), had three saves while senior Steve Sliwa had four saves for Carmel.

The Redwings will play Notre Dame high school at home on Wednesday, September 14th at 4:30 pm.

Benet Academy vs. Notre Dame, 3-0
The Benet Academy Redwings defeated the Notre Dame Dons 3-0.  Benet came out strong with three goals in the first eight minutes of play.  The Redwings are now 2-0 in the East Suburban Catholic Conference.

Benet senior Benjamin Kucera netted the first goal just three minutes into the first half off a cross from junior Joey Chiariello.   With 33 minutes remaining, senior Hunter Miller delivered a nice left footed cross to senior Patrick Nemetz who fired on the goal.   Less then one minute later, it was Miller who scored on a nice drive up the middle. Kucera had the assist.

"The team played very well. We started the game extremely strong and played one of the better stretches of soccer we've played this year," said Benet varsity coach Sean Wesley.  "There were many great combinations and connections. The goal by Nemetz was one of the best goals we've had this year."

Benet registered fourteen shots on goal for the game while Notre Dame had six shots. Benet keeper, Thomas Sullivan (Sr),  played goal for Benet in the second half and had all six saves. Notre Dame had eleven saves.

The Redwings also proved they have depth. The early lead gave other players an opportunity in the spotlight and Coach Wesley was pleased with what he saw. "Thomas Sullivan did a great job in goal the second half," commented Wesley. "He had a lot of big saves and didn't give up any rebounds.  Jon Markert, another senior, played the best I've ever seen him play.  And junior Alex Senak is another player just getting into stride here with us. He really stood out today."

The Redwings are now 5-3-1.

See them next: Monday, Sept. 19 against West Chicago High School