Early push drives Benet past Glenbard W.
4-0 win stretches win streak to 4 for Redwings
By Patrick Z. McGavin
GLEN ELLYN -- In the fourth minute of its game against Glenbard West, Benet junior forward Erin Flynn received a pass on the left wing. She took a stutter dribble against her body that allowed her to blast a shot from about 20 yards out.
Rose Mugnani, the Hilltoppers junior goalkeeper, quickly moved to snare the ball. But the point was made, and Benet effectively established a mentality and point of emphasis that created a prelude for success.
“We always try to start out well,” sophomore forward Nicole Burns said. “We are all about strong starts this year.”
Dictating the play is central to their tactical actions.
“We have been stressing all season about being the aggressor right at the beginning,” Benet coach Gerard Oconer said. “We knew that they defended very well, so we wanted to make sure we attacked them as quickly as possible.”
Burns scored on a rebound in the 10th minute that yielded the privileged start and the Redwings sustained their strong recent play with a creative attack and suffocating defense that resulted a strong 4-0 road victory over the Hilltoppers on Tuesday.
Playing its fourth game in five days, Benet (6-2-0) achieved a fluid and interconnected rhythm that overwhelmed Glenbard West. The Redwings were explosive, quick and unrelenting in their attack. The early build up created a series of impressive actions: Flynn’s shot; a Burns left-footed one touch from the left edge that pushed just wide; sharp pressure from senior midfielder Katie Gesior.
In the 10th minute sophomore midfielder Abby Casmere masterfully timed her run and blasted a shot that Mugnani returned to the right edge. Burns was perfectly positioned for the follow-up action. She quickly collected the ball and volleyed the short return shot for the opening score.
It was Burns fifth goal of the year.
“Abby had a great shot at the beginning, and I was just there to get the rebound,” said Burns, who earned Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors for her sharp play. Since its disappointing overtime loss to Nazareth in East Suburban Catholic Conference play a week ago, Benet has won four-straight games. Showcasing an excellent attack, Benet has outscored the opposition 23-1 in that stretch.
The early goal energized the team, quickly nullifying any concern of tired legs. Increasingly Benet forced Glenbard West into a reactive state. Working from a position of strength, Benet asserted its will on the essential shape of the game.
“We were able to hold the lead and extend on it the rest of the game without having to worry about a coming from behind situation,” Burns said.
Glenbard West (4-3-2) saw the game as a way to gauge its own progress. Coach Morgan Kasperek, in her first year, has been stressing developing an offensive identity. The team’s defense had been airtight. The Hilltoppers registered four shutouts and had not conceded more than one goal until the Benet game.
“Benet is the strongest team we have seen this year,” Kasperek said. “They were very solid in the midfield and their formation threw us off to start the game. They moved the ball very well, and we started both halves on our heels.”
Glenbard West came off an emotional last-minute 2-1 victory over a previous one-loss Minooka team in the first round of the PepsiCo Showdown on Saturday at Olympic Park in Schaumburg.
“Benet is a team we always want to beat, because they are very good,” junior Glenbard West forward Emma Wallace said. “As a team, I think we are feeling pretty good. Our start this year is better than in past seasons.”
Burns’ goal constituted the only first half scoring. The balance of the half was contested, intense and well-played by both sides. Benet maintained its pressure following the first goal. Glenbard West responded by generating some of its sharpest play of the match. After absorbing the initial shock generated by Benet’s pressure, Glenbard West slowly began to piece together its own attack.
Senior midfielder Isabel Pina played a through-ball to Wallace in the 17th minute. Moments later, in the Hilltoppers’ most dangerous first half play, forward Emma Walsh played a cross that senior forward Emma Burke nearly finished.
Benet’s backline closed space quickly and rarely allowed Glenbard West to switch the ball or reset its own attack. Glenbard West’s offense displayed resolve and initiative. Benet just proved too hard to fully break down.
The Redwings effectively put the game away with two goals 40 seconds apart in the second half.
In the 49th minute, senior Benet forward Betsy Keefe made a strong foray toward the Glenbard West goal by advancing the ball down the right side. Just as she was about to attempt her shot, she was fouled from behind inside the box.
Keefe converted the resulting penalty kick for the 2-0 lead.
“The penalty kick did kill our momentum,” Kasperek said.
Benet was not satisfied.
Looking to throw down the gauntlet, Benet put the game out of reach as freshman defender Kate Flynn served a ball from the left edge that junior midfielder Maddie Becker finished with a superb one-touch volley in the 40th minute.
“Playing all of these games like we have, we really wanted to end on a great note,” Becker said. “We knew Glenbard West was going to be a good team, and we really came to play tonight.”
Benet was very precise in identifying the vulnerabilities in Glenbard West’s defense and optimizing its chances. “We were looking for combinations at the beginning and trying to figure out their defense,” Burns said. “Once we figured it out we were able to open the door for three more goals.”
Benet is an intriguing team, very talented and also astoundingly young. The Redwings have only four seniors. Every game is a chance to learn. The Redwings watched a two-goal advantage against St. Charles East evaporate in the first game of the year in a 3-2 loss.
“Getting the three goal (advantage) is always the lead that you are looking for,” Oconer said. “We have already seen this year a two-goal lead for us is never safe. In the second half, we pretty much needed to continue what we were doing at the beginning of the game, not letting them get the ball out of their defensive third and being able to attack the goal.”
This is his first year directing the program. Former coach Bob Gros is now his lead assistant. The transition has been seamless.
“Last year we were so young and all of those players got good game experience,” Oconer said. “So they know our system and how we want to run things. We are returning 10 starters, so there is a lot of good team chemistry and familiarity. There really is not much that is different. We are just enhancing some of the things that we did last year.”
To their credit, Glenbard West showed admirable resilience. The team generated its best scoring chances after going down 3-0. Benet keeper Anna Keefe made a spectacular denial of Walsh off a beautifully executed set piece.
“We need to gain confidence around the net,” Kasperek said. “We are working a lot on moving upfront and making aggressive runs to the net. We (just) need to shoot more. There is no perfect shot.”
The three Emmas -- Burke, Wallace and Walsh -- demonstrated a flair and toughness in space. Glenbard West did a good job of connecting and stringing plays together.
Some bad luck and tough defense did the team few favors.
Wallace also had a shot from about 19 yards out that just skimmed over the top of the bar.
“Nerves played a factor, because sometimes when you get that open shot you just get too excited,” said Wallace who had a shot from about 19 yards skim the top of the crossbar. “It is obviously frustrating when you get down early, like when we let them (get ahead) in the first 10 minutes of the game. Coach K is very big on staying focused, even if it is frustrating, it only gets worse if we get down on each other.
“You have to keep trying.”
Benet freshman forward Mia Tommasone punctuated the impressive victory with a goal in the 77th minute.
Starting lineups
Benet
GK: Anna Keefe
D: Kate Flynn
D: Mary Kate Hansen
D: Mary Kate Wilhelm
D: Clare Bumpus
MF: Maddie Becker
MF: Abby Casmere
MF: Katie Gesior
F: Betsy Keefe
F: Erin Flynn
F: Nicole Burns
Glenbard West
GK: Rose Mugnani
D: Kat Kostolansky
D: Teagan Ryan
D: Sydney Peters
D: Molly Becker
MF: Annie Gelfer
MF: Madison Jurgovan
MF: Isabel Pina
F: Emma Burke
F: Emma Wallace
F: Emma Walsh
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Nicole Burns, so., F, Benet
4-0 win stretches win streak to 4 for Redwings
By Patrick Z. McGavin
GLEN ELLYN -- In the fourth minute of its game against Glenbard West, Benet junior forward Erin Flynn received a pass on the left wing. She took a stutter dribble against her body that allowed her to blast a shot from about 20 yards out.
Rose Mugnani, the Hilltoppers junior goalkeeper, quickly moved to snare the ball. But the point was made, and Benet effectively established a mentality and point of emphasis that created a prelude for success.
“We always try to start out well,” sophomore forward Nicole Burns said. “We are all about strong starts this year.”
Dictating the play is central to their tactical actions.
“We have been stressing all season about being the aggressor right at the beginning,” Benet coach Gerard Oconer said. “We knew that they defended very well, so we wanted to make sure we attacked them as quickly as possible.”
Burns scored on a rebound in the 10th minute that yielded the privileged start and the Redwings sustained their strong recent play with a creative attack and suffocating defense that resulted a strong 4-0 road victory over the Hilltoppers on Tuesday.
Playing its fourth game in five days, Benet (6-2-0) achieved a fluid and interconnected rhythm that overwhelmed Glenbard West. The Redwings were explosive, quick and unrelenting in their attack. The early build up created a series of impressive actions: Flynn’s shot; a Burns left-footed one touch from the left edge that pushed just wide; sharp pressure from senior midfielder Katie Gesior.
In the 10th minute sophomore midfielder Abby Casmere masterfully timed her run and blasted a shot that Mugnani returned to the right edge. Burns was perfectly positioned for the follow-up action. She quickly collected the ball and volleyed the short return shot for the opening score.
It was Burns fifth goal of the year.
“Abby had a great shot at the beginning, and I was just there to get the rebound,” said Burns, who earned Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors for her sharp play. Since its disappointing overtime loss to Nazareth in East Suburban Catholic Conference play a week ago, Benet has won four-straight games. Showcasing an excellent attack, Benet has outscored the opposition 23-1 in that stretch.
The early goal energized the team, quickly nullifying any concern of tired legs. Increasingly Benet forced Glenbard West into a reactive state. Working from a position of strength, Benet asserted its will on the essential shape of the game.
“We were able to hold the lead and extend on it the rest of the game without having to worry about a coming from behind situation,” Burns said.
Glenbard West (4-3-2) saw the game as a way to gauge its own progress. Coach Morgan Kasperek, in her first year, has been stressing developing an offensive identity. The team’s defense had been airtight. The Hilltoppers registered four shutouts and had not conceded more than one goal until the Benet game.
“Benet is the strongest team we have seen this year,” Kasperek said. “They were very solid in the midfield and their formation threw us off to start the game. They moved the ball very well, and we started both halves on our heels.”
Glenbard West came off an emotional last-minute 2-1 victory over a previous one-loss Minooka team in the first round of the PepsiCo Showdown on Saturday at Olympic Park in Schaumburg.
“Benet is a team we always want to beat, because they are very good,” junior Glenbard West forward Emma Wallace said. “As a team, I think we are feeling pretty good. Our start this year is better than in past seasons.”
Burns’ goal constituted the only first half scoring. The balance of the half was contested, intense and well-played by both sides. Benet maintained its pressure following the first goal. Glenbard West responded by generating some of its sharpest play of the match. After absorbing the initial shock generated by Benet’s pressure, Glenbard West slowly began to piece together its own attack.
Senior midfielder Isabel Pina played a through-ball to Wallace in the 17th minute. Moments later, in the Hilltoppers’ most dangerous first half play, forward Emma Walsh played a cross that senior forward Emma Burke nearly finished.
Benet’s backline closed space quickly and rarely allowed Glenbard West to switch the ball or reset its own attack. Glenbard West’s offense displayed resolve and initiative. Benet just proved too hard to fully break down.
The Redwings effectively put the game away with two goals 40 seconds apart in the second half.
In the 49th minute, senior Benet forward Betsy Keefe made a strong foray toward the Glenbard West goal by advancing the ball down the right side. Just as she was about to attempt her shot, she was fouled from behind inside the box.
Keefe converted the resulting penalty kick for the 2-0 lead.
“The penalty kick did kill our momentum,” Kasperek said.
Benet was not satisfied.
Looking to throw down the gauntlet, Benet put the game out of reach as freshman defender Kate Flynn served a ball from the left edge that junior midfielder Maddie Becker finished with a superb one-touch volley in the 40th minute.
“Playing all of these games like we have, we really wanted to end on a great note,” Becker said. “We knew Glenbard West was going to be a good team, and we really came to play tonight.”
Benet was very precise in identifying the vulnerabilities in Glenbard West’s defense and optimizing its chances. “We were looking for combinations at the beginning and trying to figure out their defense,” Burns said. “Once we figured it out we were able to open the door for three more goals.”
Benet is an intriguing team, very talented and also astoundingly young. The Redwings have only four seniors. Every game is a chance to learn. The Redwings watched a two-goal advantage against St. Charles East evaporate in the first game of the year in a 3-2 loss.
“Getting the three goal (advantage) is always the lead that you are looking for,” Oconer said. “We have already seen this year a two-goal lead for us is never safe. In the second half, we pretty much needed to continue what we were doing at the beginning of the game, not letting them get the ball out of their defensive third and being able to attack the goal.”
This is his first year directing the program. Former coach Bob Gros is now his lead assistant. The transition has been seamless.
“Last year we were so young and all of those players got good game experience,” Oconer said. “So they know our system and how we want to run things. We are returning 10 starters, so there is a lot of good team chemistry and familiarity. There really is not much that is different. We are just enhancing some of the things that we did last year.”
To their credit, Glenbard West showed admirable resilience. The team generated its best scoring chances after going down 3-0. Benet keeper Anna Keefe made a spectacular denial of Walsh off a beautifully executed set piece.
“We need to gain confidence around the net,” Kasperek said. “We are working a lot on moving upfront and making aggressive runs to the net. We (just) need to shoot more. There is no perfect shot.”
The three Emmas -- Burke, Wallace and Walsh -- demonstrated a flair and toughness in space. Glenbard West did a good job of connecting and stringing plays together.
Some bad luck and tough defense did the team few favors.
Wallace also had a shot from about 19 yards out that just skimmed over the top of the bar.
“Nerves played a factor, because sometimes when you get that open shot you just get too excited,” said Wallace who had a shot from about 19 yards skim the top of the crossbar. “It is obviously frustrating when you get down early, like when we let them (get ahead) in the first 10 minutes of the game. Coach K is very big on staying focused, even if it is frustrating, it only gets worse if we get down on each other.
“You have to keep trying.”
Benet freshman forward Mia Tommasone punctuated the impressive victory with a goal in the 77th minute.
Starting lineups
Benet
GK: Anna Keefe
D: Kate Flynn
D: Mary Kate Hansen
D: Mary Kate Wilhelm
D: Clare Bumpus
MF: Maddie Becker
MF: Abby Casmere
MF: Katie Gesior
F: Betsy Keefe
F: Erin Flynn
F: Nicole Burns
Glenbard West
GK: Rose Mugnani
D: Kat Kostolansky
D: Teagan Ryan
D: Sydney Peters
D: Molly Becker
MF: Annie Gelfer
MF: Madison Jurgovan
MF: Isabel Pina
F: Emma Burke
F: Emma Wallace
F: Emma Walsh
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Nicole Burns, so., F, Benet