Benet Academy, St. Viator meet
to decide ESCC championship .... again
Saint Viator must win on road to share title
By Mike Garofola
It seems like since the beginning of time, or least 1990, that Saint Viator and Benet Academy have decided who raises the East Suburban Catholic Conference trophy.
Oh sure, Carmel and St. Joseph have had their hands on the big trophy a few times since the inception of the league, but not like these two longtime rivals who have either shared or won the conference crown outright 24 times between them.
Saint Viator (15-5-1, 7-1-0) has captured the honor 13 times to 11 for Benet Academy (14-2-2, 7-0-1) with the two clubs sharing the spoils in 2013.
And the sides usually play each other on the final day of the regular season, which only makes this rivalry all the more interesting and fun. This year's renewal of the series is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Friday in Lisle.
Last year, on a cold night in Arlington Heights at the Lions' home park of Morris Stadium, Kyle Kenagy drove in the early game-winner to give the Redwings a 1-0 victory, a share of the ESCC title, and its third-consecutive piece of the pie following its 2012 championship, and 2011 shared title with Saint Viator and Carmel.
"One of our goals at the start of every season is to win the ESCC, and usually, in order to do so, we have to go through Benet," said manager Mike Taylor, who last week won his 500th-career victory with a 3-2 triumph over Carmel.
"We know it will more than likely come down to that last ball game of the year, and it's no different this year," continued Taylor.
"We're playing our best soccer of the year right now, but we know we have to come to play in order to beat (Benet). I know the boys are ready for it."
The Lions find themselves in a situation where they have to win in order to lay claim to the crown. League newcomer Marian Central tightened up the ESCC race with a 1-0 road win against Saint Viator and a 2-2 home tie with Benet Academy.
Marian Central (12-3-1, 6-2-1) fell from title contention with back-to-back road losses to Carmel (2-1) and Nazareth Academy (2-0) last week.
The Saint Viator duo of Zach Gyuricza and Aidan Williams leads the way in scoring for the club with a collective 27 goals and 12 assists.
At Benet Academy, manager Sean Wesley knows how things can shake down in favor of his club should the Redwings capture the season finale victory at home Friday.
"It appeared the addtion of Marian Central Catholic to our conference was going to perhaps change the tradition we have built with Saint Viator, but late losses by them (now) gives us a chance to win outright, and the guys could not be more excited about this match," said Wesley.
"That said, it won't be easy. Saint Viator is playing real well. They have a great coach with Mike, dangerous players up top, and are always sound along the back."
The Yale-bound Kenagy leads the Redwings with 44 points (19 goals, 6 assists). On defense the Redwings have been particularly stingy, conceding just four goals in league play, and eight on the season overall.
"We've had a terrific season thus far, and exceeded expectations for such a young team, but as always, the goal all along has been to first win the conference, then make a deep run in the playoffs," offered Wesley.
"We have put ourselves in a position to do just that, and now we're counting on guys to step up in these big games."
to decide ESCC championship .... again
Saint Viator must win on road to share title
By Mike Garofola
It seems like since the beginning of time, or least 1990, that Saint Viator and Benet Academy have decided who raises the East Suburban Catholic Conference trophy.
Oh sure, Carmel and St. Joseph have had their hands on the big trophy a few times since the inception of the league, but not like these two longtime rivals who have either shared or won the conference crown outright 24 times between them.
Saint Viator (15-5-1, 7-1-0) has captured the honor 13 times to 11 for Benet Academy (14-2-2, 7-0-1) with the two clubs sharing the spoils in 2013.
And the sides usually play each other on the final day of the regular season, which only makes this rivalry all the more interesting and fun. This year's renewal of the series is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Friday in Lisle.
Last year, on a cold night in Arlington Heights at the Lions' home park of Morris Stadium, Kyle Kenagy drove in the early game-winner to give the Redwings a 1-0 victory, a share of the ESCC title, and its third-consecutive piece of the pie following its 2012 championship, and 2011 shared title with Saint Viator and Carmel.
"One of our goals at the start of every season is to win the ESCC, and usually, in order to do so, we have to go through Benet," said manager Mike Taylor, who last week won his 500th-career victory with a 3-2 triumph over Carmel.
"We know it will more than likely come down to that last ball game of the year, and it's no different this year," continued Taylor.
"We're playing our best soccer of the year right now, but we know we have to come to play in order to beat (Benet). I know the boys are ready for it."
The Lions find themselves in a situation where they have to win in order to lay claim to the crown. League newcomer Marian Central tightened up the ESCC race with a 1-0 road win against Saint Viator and a 2-2 home tie with Benet Academy.
Marian Central (12-3-1, 6-2-1) fell from title contention with back-to-back road losses to Carmel (2-1) and Nazareth Academy (2-0) last week.
The Saint Viator duo of Zach Gyuricza and Aidan Williams leads the way in scoring for the club with a collective 27 goals and 12 assists.
At Benet Academy, manager Sean Wesley knows how things can shake down in favor of his club should the Redwings capture the season finale victory at home Friday.
"It appeared the addtion of Marian Central Catholic to our conference was going to perhaps change the tradition we have built with Saint Viator, but late losses by them (now) gives us a chance to win outright, and the guys could not be more excited about this match," said Wesley.
"That said, it won't be easy. Saint Viator is playing real well. They have a great coach with Mike, dangerous players up top, and are always sound along the back."
The Yale-bound Kenagy leads the Redwings with 44 points (19 goals, 6 assists). On defense the Redwings have been particularly stingy, conceding just four goals in league play, and eight on the season overall.
"We've had a terrific season thus far, and exceeded expectations for such a young team, but as always, the goal all along has been to first win the conference, then make a deep run in the playoffs," offered Wesley.
"We have put ourselves in a position to do just that, and now we're counting on guys to step up in these big games."