Benet Academy (17-4-1 in 2013)
at Downers Grove North (3-16-3)
When: 4:30 p.m. Tuesday (Aug. 26)
Where: Downers Grove North (4436 Main St., Downers Grove)
Last season: Benet 7, Downers Grove North 1 (Aug. 27, 2013, at Benet Academy)
Outlook: When these teams met in the 2013 season opener, Benet’s Kyle Kenagy scored just 13 seconds into the game en route to a hat trick.
Now a senior, Kenagy went on to earn all-state honors after collecting 26 goals and nine assists in his first high school season at forward. He has verbally committed to play soccer at Yale.
Senior midfielder Andrew Heaton, senior defender Dustin Uher and junior goalie Konrad Bayer are also returning starters. Juniors Daniel Morefield (forward), Richard Michalik and Trenton Wray (midfielders) move into starting roles for Benet after seeing significant action as sophomores. A key newcomer to the program is sophomore Connor Mote from the Chicago Fire Academy.
The Redwings won a second-straight Class 3A regional title after sharing the East Suburban Catholic Conference title with St. Viator last season. They lost 1-0 to Morton in the Hinsdale South Sectional semifinals.
“We have won conference (and regionals) three out of the last four years and expect to compete well again this year,” Benet coach Sean Wesley said. “With Kyle Kenagy returning up top, we should be a dangerous team in the attacking third, but we need to prove we can defend as a team and are still looking for pieces out of the puzzle in the back.”
Downers North is looking to make a statement this year under new head coach Mike Schmitt, a 2003 graduate who played in the Trojans' program for four years. Schmitt’s varsity assistant coach, Christine Tomek, was his varsity head coach.
The Trojans have not posted double-digit victories since their 2010 regional championship squad. Schmitt was a varsity assistant for that team, but this is his first year back with the program since then. The past three seasons, he increased his coaching workload with Team Chicago Academy.
“The work ethic and total atmosphere of the group is really high, really positive,” Schmitt said. “With me being a new coach and them being a new team, it’s very good that it’s all positive and very energetic.”
Returning players include seniors Trace Demos (midfield), Mike Molloy (forward) and Brett Pyburn and Jake Stevenson for what should be a stronger defense. Juniors Liam Budnik (midfield), Sam Crowley (defense) and Carter Tome (forward). Jack Richards will play center midfield as a freshman.
“We’re trying to turn that (record) around and every year we’re going to develop," Schmitt said. "The goal is obviously having a winning record and making it a little bit further in the playoffs.”
Bill Stone
at Downers Grove North (3-16-3)
When: 4:30 p.m. Tuesday (Aug. 26)
Where: Downers Grove North (4436 Main St., Downers Grove)
Last season: Benet 7, Downers Grove North 1 (Aug. 27, 2013, at Benet Academy)
Outlook: When these teams met in the 2013 season opener, Benet’s Kyle Kenagy scored just 13 seconds into the game en route to a hat trick.
Now a senior, Kenagy went on to earn all-state honors after collecting 26 goals and nine assists in his first high school season at forward. He has verbally committed to play soccer at Yale.
Senior midfielder Andrew Heaton, senior defender Dustin Uher and junior goalie Konrad Bayer are also returning starters. Juniors Daniel Morefield (forward), Richard Michalik and Trenton Wray (midfielders) move into starting roles for Benet after seeing significant action as sophomores. A key newcomer to the program is sophomore Connor Mote from the Chicago Fire Academy.
The Redwings won a second-straight Class 3A regional title after sharing the East Suburban Catholic Conference title with St. Viator last season. They lost 1-0 to Morton in the Hinsdale South Sectional semifinals.
“We have won conference (and regionals) three out of the last four years and expect to compete well again this year,” Benet coach Sean Wesley said. “With Kyle Kenagy returning up top, we should be a dangerous team in the attacking third, but we need to prove we can defend as a team and are still looking for pieces out of the puzzle in the back.”
Downers North is looking to make a statement this year under new head coach Mike Schmitt, a 2003 graduate who played in the Trojans' program for four years. Schmitt’s varsity assistant coach, Christine Tomek, was his varsity head coach.
The Trojans have not posted double-digit victories since their 2010 regional championship squad. Schmitt was a varsity assistant for that team, but this is his first year back with the program since then. The past three seasons, he increased his coaching workload with Team Chicago Academy.
“The work ethic and total atmosphere of the group is really high, really positive,” Schmitt said. “With me being a new coach and them being a new team, it’s very good that it’s all positive and very energetic.”
Returning players include seniors Trace Demos (midfield), Mike Molloy (forward) and Brett Pyburn and Jake Stevenson for what should be a stronger defense. Juniors Liam Budnik (midfield), Sam Crowley (defense) and Carter Tome (forward). Jack Richards will play center midfield as a freshman.
“We’re trying to turn that (record) around and every year we’re going to develop," Schmitt said. "The goal is obviously having a winning record and making it a little bit further in the playoffs.”
Bill Stone