Big guns go silent for Benet,
Naperville Central in 0-0 tie
Both teams keep unbeaten streaks alive
By Matt Le Cren
NAPERVILLE – Naperville Central and Benet have two of the most dangerous strikers in the area in Jordi Heeneman and Kyle Kenagy, respectively.
Both can create their own opportunities and are a nightmare to defend against. But soccer being soccer, neither one sniffed the goal Saturday as the host Redhawks and the Redwings played to a 0-0 draw at Memorial Stadium.
The result, while less than satisfying for either team, did keep their respective unbeaten streaks intact. Naperville Central (10-1-6) has gone seven games without a loss, while Benet (13-2-2) is 9-0-2 in its last 11 matches.
“We were hoping for a win, so it’s sort of disappointing,” Benet sophomore Connor Mote said. “They beat us last time, so I know it’s an improvement, but we really wanted to come out today with a win.”
The Redwings didn’t accomplish that, but they gave themselves a little confidence in case they meet the Redhawks for a third time. That would come in the Bolingbrook Sectional final if both make it that far.
“It definitely improves our confidence that we can actually now tie them,” said Mote, Chicagoland Soccer's Man of the Match. “I think we’ll come out next time and hopefully put away some goals. I think today was the most evenly matched game we’ve had with them.”
The Redhawks had beaten the Redwings 3-1 in the Best of the West championship game at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 6. Both teams played two games that day, so this was a chance for them to butt heads with fresh legs.
Both teams were missing key offensive players. Naperville Central midfielder Jordi McCormack, who has 14 assists and is four shy of the single-season school record, sat out with a fractured toe but is expected back for the playoffs. Benet meanwhile was without second-leading scorer Daniel Morefield because of an illness.
“I know the guys pushed really hard the first time we played on both sides, but the reality is we didn’t really have the legs and the game was a little bit slower,” Benet coach Sean Wesley said. “This game had a lot of energy and a lot of pace, a lot of defense and a lot of tackles, and both teams were excited. It’s kind of our proving ground before we go into the playoffs.”
Both teams proved they can play tough defense, as they combined for only 13 shots. The Yale-bound Kenagy was limited to three shots, only two of which came close to being on frame. His 12-yard header sailed wide right with five seconds left in the first half, and he missed the right post with a 15-yard shot while under pressure on a partial breakaway with 3:10 remaining in the second half.
Naperville Central goalies Adam Daas (four saves) and Joe Kallikadan (one save) were rarely tested in recording the Redhawks’ ninth shutout. It was the first time Benet has been blanked this season.
“The reality is two of the best teams in the state are playing, in my opinion,” Wesley said. “They’re well-coached, they’ve got great athletes in the back that Kyle is playing against.
This is way more like a college game than a high school game.
“I think we need to do a better job of moving off of Kyle. We were missing Morefield today. Maybe he is that missing piece that gets us in a few more times.”
In contrast, Heeneman was held without a shot as he was moved to attacking midfielder in McCormack’s absence. Unlike Kenagy, the Redhawks’ leading scorer had plenty of touches, but few were inside the penalty area. Benet’s back line did a good job of closing off the passing lanes.
“We did a good job on him,” Wesley said. “Our defense played well.”
“It was a battle,” Heeneman said. “We have some injuries right now that we’re trying to work through. I was playing a different position today than I usually do.
“It’s nice to see them again before playoffs because we know they’re one of the biggest contenders in our sectional. I think we know what to do against them next time. We’re going to work on dead balls in practice, get some more opportunities to score.”
The Redhawks had the only dangerous scoring chances, the best of which came 12 minutes into the match when Christopher Schwaiger had an open header from inside of eight yards. Benet goalie Konrad Bayer made a sprawling kick save. Moments later Daniel Poole knocked the rebound off the intersection of the crossbar and the post.
“We had a nice chance down there,” Naperville Central coach Troy Adams said. "I’m not sure how he hit everything except for the back of the net. I was happy with the way we played.”
Naperville Central’s final scoring chance occurred with 1:25 to go in the second half when Benet goalie Nick Senak, who relieved Bayer with 14 minutes remaining, punched a long ball high up in the air. Schwaiger had a crack at it but sent a volley high over the net.
“The defense made some mistakes, like confusion and not talking, but overall we did good,” Mote said. “They’re a good team, so hopefully we’ll play them again.”
Starting lineups
Benet
GK Konrad Bayer
D Harrison Burke
D Jared Kovach
D Andrew Heaton
M Jack Knapke
M David Diltz
M Connor Mote
M Artur Pach
M Richard Michalik
M Ryley Guay
F Kyle Kenagy
Naperville Central
GK Adam Daas
D Cameron Baumgartner
D Derek Kerbs
D Sean Flading
D Riley Guttosch
M Nick Coon
M Noah Canlas
M Christopher Schwaiger
M Jordi Heeneman
F Ethan Mohr
F Daniel Poole
Man of the Match: Connor Mote, Benet
Naperville Central in 0-0 tie
Both teams keep unbeaten streaks alive
By Matt Le Cren
NAPERVILLE – Naperville Central and Benet have two of the most dangerous strikers in the area in Jordi Heeneman and Kyle Kenagy, respectively.
Both can create their own opportunities and are a nightmare to defend against. But soccer being soccer, neither one sniffed the goal Saturday as the host Redhawks and the Redwings played to a 0-0 draw at Memorial Stadium.
The result, while less than satisfying for either team, did keep their respective unbeaten streaks intact. Naperville Central (10-1-6) has gone seven games without a loss, while Benet (13-2-2) is 9-0-2 in its last 11 matches.
“We were hoping for a win, so it’s sort of disappointing,” Benet sophomore Connor Mote said. “They beat us last time, so I know it’s an improvement, but we really wanted to come out today with a win.”
The Redwings didn’t accomplish that, but they gave themselves a little confidence in case they meet the Redhawks for a third time. That would come in the Bolingbrook Sectional final if both make it that far.
“It definitely improves our confidence that we can actually now tie them,” said Mote, Chicagoland Soccer's Man of the Match. “I think we’ll come out next time and hopefully put away some goals. I think today was the most evenly matched game we’ve had with them.”
The Redhawks had beaten the Redwings 3-1 in the Best of the West championship game at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 6. Both teams played two games that day, so this was a chance for them to butt heads with fresh legs.
Both teams were missing key offensive players. Naperville Central midfielder Jordi McCormack, who has 14 assists and is four shy of the single-season school record, sat out with a fractured toe but is expected back for the playoffs. Benet meanwhile was without second-leading scorer Daniel Morefield because of an illness.
“I know the guys pushed really hard the first time we played on both sides, but the reality is we didn’t really have the legs and the game was a little bit slower,” Benet coach Sean Wesley said. “This game had a lot of energy and a lot of pace, a lot of defense and a lot of tackles, and both teams were excited. It’s kind of our proving ground before we go into the playoffs.”
Both teams proved they can play tough defense, as they combined for only 13 shots. The Yale-bound Kenagy was limited to three shots, only two of which came close to being on frame. His 12-yard header sailed wide right with five seconds left in the first half, and he missed the right post with a 15-yard shot while under pressure on a partial breakaway with 3:10 remaining in the second half.
Naperville Central goalies Adam Daas (four saves) and Joe Kallikadan (one save) were rarely tested in recording the Redhawks’ ninth shutout. It was the first time Benet has been blanked this season.
“The reality is two of the best teams in the state are playing, in my opinion,” Wesley said. “They’re well-coached, they’ve got great athletes in the back that Kyle is playing against.
This is way more like a college game than a high school game.
“I think we need to do a better job of moving off of Kyle. We were missing Morefield today. Maybe he is that missing piece that gets us in a few more times.”
In contrast, Heeneman was held without a shot as he was moved to attacking midfielder in McCormack’s absence. Unlike Kenagy, the Redhawks’ leading scorer had plenty of touches, but few were inside the penalty area. Benet’s back line did a good job of closing off the passing lanes.
“We did a good job on him,” Wesley said. “Our defense played well.”
“It was a battle,” Heeneman said. “We have some injuries right now that we’re trying to work through. I was playing a different position today than I usually do.
“It’s nice to see them again before playoffs because we know they’re one of the biggest contenders in our sectional. I think we know what to do against them next time. We’re going to work on dead balls in practice, get some more opportunities to score.”
The Redhawks had the only dangerous scoring chances, the best of which came 12 minutes into the match when Christopher Schwaiger had an open header from inside of eight yards. Benet goalie Konrad Bayer made a sprawling kick save. Moments later Daniel Poole knocked the rebound off the intersection of the crossbar and the post.
“We had a nice chance down there,” Naperville Central coach Troy Adams said. "I’m not sure how he hit everything except for the back of the net. I was happy with the way we played.”
Naperville Central’s final scoring chance occurred with 1:25 to go in the second half when Benet goalie Nick Senak, who relieved Bayer with 14 minutes remaining, punched a long ball high up in the air. Schwaiger had a crack at it but sent a volley high over the net.
“The defense made some mistakes, like confusion and not talking, but overall we did good,” Mote said. “They’re a good team, so hopefully we’ll play them again.”
Starting lineups
Benet
GK Konrad Bayer
D Harrison Burke
D Jared Kovach
D Andrew Heaton
M Jack Knapke
M David Diltz
M Connor Mote
M Artur Pach
M Richard Michalik
M Ryley Guay
F Kyle Kenagy
Naperville Central
GK Adam Daas
D Cameron Baumgartner
D Derek Kerbs
D Sean Flading
D Riley Guttosch
M Nick Coon
M Noah Canlas
M Christopher Schwaiger
M Jordi Heeneman
F Ethan Mohr
F Daniel Poole
Man of the Match: Connor Mote, Benet