Saint Viator fulfills coach's
belief against Benet Academy
Lions win ESCC crown
in mini "state tournament"
By Mike Garofola
LISLE -- From his first conversation in late August, coach Mike Taylor said he believed his Saint Viator club would win the East Suburban Catholic Conference if they came together as he knew, and hoped, they could.
Fast-forward nearly eight weeks later, and the Lions did lift the trophy as darkness fell on a dreary afternoon at the home park of rival Benet Academy.
The Lions returned to the top of ESCC futbol in thrilling style with a remarkable performance, riding two goals from Anthony Pineda, and a late tally from Zach Gyuricza to give them a deserved 3-1 victory and rob the Redwings of the outright title on the final day of the regular season.
"I told you if this team would gel, and play the system we set out for them, they would reach one of our goals, and that was to win the conference title, and they did," beamed the Lions manager, who knew coming in that nothing but a win would earn his lads the title.
"We had just five games remaining on our schedule - all of them conference games - and turned them into the state tournament," began Taylor.
"The first two were regionals, then next two sectionals - with this one, if we won the first four, our supersectional final, and the boys responded better than I would have imagined."
Taylor's tactical approach was necessary in the Lions chase of the Redwings (14-4-2, 7-1-1) who were cruising towards their fourth-consecutive league crown, and second outright title after winning it all in 2012.
A 1-0 Lions loss to Marian Central Sept. 24 made it clear what the club needed to do to meet Benet Academy for the title. It rolled past Notre Dame 4-0 Oct. 1, and then squeaked by in road wins over Carmel (3-2 Oct. 6) and Marian Catholic (1-0 Oct. 9). After Saint Viator rolled past Marist (7-0 Tuesday) and Joilet Catholic (5-1 Wednesday), the gravitas for the annual showdown was set.
"We knew what we had to do, and that it all on us today," admitted Miles McDonnell, who, alongside Man-of-the-Match teammate, Pineda, were covered in mud from head-to-toe after 80 grueling minutes in the wind, cold and muck.
"The conditions were sloppy because of all the rain earlier in the week here, but I thought we did really well with (it) from front-to-back, and especially our backline, which did its best to hold (Kyle) Kenagy to just one goal," continued the affable junior.
The Lions indeed needed to be aware of the Redwings brilliant striker Kenagy, who after his early second half equalizer now totaled 20 on the season.
"Everyone knows we target Kyle, he's our best player, and likely one of the best in the state," said Benet Academy manager, Sean Wesley.
"Saint Viator did a very good job of slowing down, and sometimes shutting down our midfield, thus making it difficult for us to find Kyle, but Kyle is Kyle, and when he was on the ball, he was dangerous, and he almost got us even a second time after they went up 2-1."
The Lions (16-4-1, 8-1-0) would have the better of it in a rather slow played first half. Some of the pace was due to the conditions, others to consistant interventions from the center official and his assistants.
Both clubs howled over several fouls and raised flags, but the work of the men drfdessed in red was consistent for both sides.
The home team was forced to defend for long stretches when McDonnell and his mates in the middle were able to keep the ball - then in turn, find Saint Viator's top scoring duo of Aidan Williams and Gyuricza on a regular basis.
"That's where our breakdown today was at, in the back," admitted Wesley. "We were a bit naive back there, giving away two gifts goals, and not defending as smartly as we could have."
The Redwings also had plenty of trouble on several long throws from Chris Beiersdorf, which caused them to stay under pressure until they could clear the dangerous heaves of the Lions senior. That and the play of aforementioned Gyuricza, Williams, Pineda, and freshman Jack Hartman, who when brought on instigated some trouble, kept the ball in the Benet Academy end.
"I think it's all coming together for us now, everyone knows their role, and understands the system, and it has really looked good for us the past 5-7 games," said Pineda.
A long throw from Beiersdorf fell into the box and forced a block on the way in on a Williams attempt, while the best chances for the Redwings came in succession - first when Daniel Morefield put one on frame at keeper Aaron Tres at 15 minutes - and later from Artur Pach, who moments after coming on - rattled the woodwork from the right side.
The Lions assault on the Benet Academy net continued after intermission, and Pineda and his mates could not have gotten off to a more perfect start.
When a ball played back into the area caused keeper Konrad Bayer, who had a strong game all day, a brief confusing moment with his defender just outside the box - Pineda quickly collected on loose ball and easily steered in the net with his low, well-paced shot at 45 minutes.
"Anyone could have finished that one," joked both Pineda and McDonnell when quizzed afterwards.
Benet Academy struck back almost immediately.
Omar Kashow, who gave the Redwings terrific pace and energy when brought on, got things started with a strong run into the near corner - before putting the ball on the foot of Connor Mote.
The sophomore spotted Kenagy, who calmly fired in from close range to level things at 49 minutes.
It didn't take long for the visitors to pull back the Kenagy goal. Seven minutes later, it was Pineda again, this time lashing home McDonnell's helper after he kept alive a Gyuricza serve into the box.
"I saw Tony had an opening, and he was cool and calm with his finish," said McDonnell.
From this point, the Redwings responded with a spell of pressure, nearly finding the back of the net when Kenagy put a lovely ball to the open back post but unfortunately nobody was there in the home whites to finish.
Saint Viator spent the remainder of the final quarter hour of play enjoying almost all of the possession, while testing Benet Academy in its own end and forcing the Redwings to forego their attack.
More trouble in the Redwings area allowed Gyuricza to bury a dagger in the hopes of a comeback when he finished into an open net in the 75th minute.
"There was a lot of work for us to do this year, but I knew we could win it all if we worked at it, and played the way our coaches wanted us to," said Pineda, who easily earned Man of the Match honors with his two goals, and whirlwind of activity, whether going forward or tracking back to defend against Benet's midfield.
"Tony and Brandon (Braun) got our Man of the Match awards after the game," began Taylor.
"It was Brandon's best game of the year, and along with the rest of the defense: Beiersdorf, Javy (Romero) and sophomore Sean Lonigro, they were able to keep Benet, and in particular, Kenagy away from our goal for most of the ball game.
"This is a great way to send us into the state playoffs, but we'll have to get back to work if we want to continue."
For Wesley, the disappointment of falling just short was easy to sum up during his post-game interview.
"I've said before that we are very young. It's not an excuse, or meant to take anything away for Mike's guys winning today, because they deserve the victory and title.
"But at times we've started 7-8 underclass guys - and today just (four) seniors, and against teams like St. Viator, we can be exposed a little here and there.
"We've dodged a few bullets along the way - counting on Kyle to pull us through with 2-3 goals, especially early on. We'll get back at it and clean some things up before regionals begin, and maybe a game like this will be the type of inspiration all of us need to get going on a nice run in the playoffs."
Starting lineups
Saint Viator
GK: Aaron Tres
D: Chris Beiersdorf
D: Javier Romero
D: Sean Lonigro
D: Brandon Braun
MF: Ryan Carroll
MF: Anthony Pineda
MF: Patrick Hickey
MF: Miles McDonnell
MF: Aidan Williams
F: Zach Gyuricza
Benet Academy
GK: Konrad Bayer
D: Harrison Burke
D: Dustin Uher
D: Jared Kovach
DMF: Bennett Curtis
MF: Connor Mote
MF: Riley Guay
MF: Andrew Heaton
MF: Daniel Morefield
F: Kyle Kenagy
F: David Diltz
Man of the Match: Anthony Pineda, Saint Viator.
Officials: Carlos Herrera (center); Henry Lewin; Victor Herrera.
belief against Benet Academy
Lions win ESCC crown
in mini "state tournament"
By Mike Garofola
LISLE -- From his first conversation in late August, coach Mike Taylor said he believed his Saint Viator club would win the East Suburban Catholic Conference if they came together as he knew, and hoped, they could.
Fast-forward nearly eight weeks later, and the Lions did lift the trophy as darkness fell on a dreary afternoon at the home park of rival Benet Academy.
The Lions returned to the top of ESCC futbol in thrilling style with a remarkable performance, riding two goals from Anthony Pineda, and a late tally from Zach Gyuricza to give them a deserved 3-1 victory and rob the Redwings of the outright title on the final day of the regular season.
"I told you if this team would gel, and play the system we set out for them, they would reach one of our goals, and that was to win the conference title, and they did," beamed the Lions manager, who knew coming in that nothing but a win would earn his lads the title.
"We had just five games remaining on our schedule - all of them conference games - and turned them into the state tournament," began Taylor.
"The first two were regionals, then next two sectionals - with this one, if we won the first four, our supersectional final, and the boys responded better than I would have imagined."
Taylor's tactical approach was necessary in the Lions chase of the Redwings (14-4-2, 7-1-1) who were cruising towards their fourth-consecutive league crown, and second outright title after winning it all in 2012.
A 1-0 Lions loss to Marian Central Sept. 24 made it clear what the club needed to do to meet Benet Academy for the title. It rolled past Notre Dame 4-0 Oct. 1, and then squeaked by in road wins over Carmel (3-2 Oct. 6) and Marian Catholic (1-0 Oct. 9). After Saint Viator rolled past Marist (7-0 Tuesday) and Joilet Catholic (5-1 Wednesday), the gravitas for the annual showdown was set.
"We knew what we had to do, and that it all on us today," admitted Miles McDonnell, who, alongside Man-of-the-Match teammate, Pineda, were covered in mud from head-to-toe after 80 grueling minutes in the wind, cold and muck.
"The conditions were sloppy because of all the rain earlier in the week here, but I thought we did really well with (it) from front-to-back, and especially our backline, which did its best to hold (Kyle) Kenagy to just one goal," continued the affable junior.
The Lions indeed needed to be aware of the Redwings brilliant striker Kenagy, who after his early second half equalizer now totaled 20 on the season.
"Everyone knows we target Kyle, he's our best player, and likely one of the best in the state," said Benet Academy manager, Sean Wesley.
"Saint Viator did a very good job of slowing down, and sometimes shutting down our midfield, thus making it difficult for us to find Kyle, but Kyle is Kyle, and when he was on the ball, he was dangerous, and he almost got us even a second time after they went up 2-1."
The Lions (16-4-1, 8-1-0) would have the better of it in a rather slow played first half. Some of the pace was due to the conditions, others to consistant interventions from the center official and his assistants.
Both clubs howled over several fouls and raised flags, but the work of the men drfdessed in red was consistent for both sides.
The home team was forced to defend for long stretches when McDonnell and his mates in the middle were able to keep the ball - then in turn, find Saint Viator's top scoring duo of Aidan Williams and Gyuricza on a regular basis.
"That's where our breakdown today was at, in the back," admitted Wesley. "We were a bit naive back there, giving away two gifts goals, and not defending as smartly as we could have."
The Redwings also had plenty of trouble on several long throws from Chris Beiersdorf, which caused them to stay under pressure until they could clear the dangerous heaves of the Lions senior. That and the play of aforementioned Gyuricza, Williams, Pineda, and freshman Jack Hartman, who when brought on instigated some trouble, kept the ball in the Benet Academy end.
"I think it's all coming together for us now, everyone knows their role, and understands the system, and it has really looked good for us the past 5-7 games," said Pineda.
A long throw from Beiersdorf fell into the box and forced a block on the way in on a Williams attempt, while the best chances for the Redwings came in succession - first when Daniel Morefield put one on frame at keeper Aaron Tres at 15 minutes - and later from Artur Pach, who moments after coming on - rattled the woodwork from the right side.
The Lions assault on the Benet Academy net continued after intermission, and Pineda and his mates could not have gotten off to a more perfect start.
When a ball played back into the area caused keeper Konrad Bayer, who had a strong game all day, a brief confusing moment with his defender just outside the box - Pineda quickly collected on loose ball and easily steered in the net with his low, well-paced shot at 45 minutes.
"Anyone could have finished that one," joked both Pineda and McDonnell when quizzed afterwards.
Benet Academy struck back almost immediately.
Omar Kashow, who gave the Redwings terrific pace and energy when brought on, got things started with a strong run into the near corner - before putting the ball on the foot of Connor Mote.
The sophomore spotted Kenagy, who calmly fired in from close range to level things at 49 minutes.
It didn't take long for the visitors to pull back the Kenagy goal. Seven minutes later, it was Pineda again, this time lashing home McDonnell's helper after he kept alive a Gyuricza serve into the box.
"I saw Tony had an opening, and he was cool and calm with his finish," said McDonnell.
From this point, the Redwings responded with a spell of pressure, nearly finding the back of the net when Kenagy put a lovely ball to the open back post but unfortunately nobody was there in the home whites to finish.
Saint Viator spent the remainder of the final quarter hour of play enjoying almost all of the possession, while testing Benet Academy in its own end and forcing the Redwings to forego their attack.
More trouble in the Redwings area allowed Gyuricza to bury a dagger in the hopes of a comeback when he finished into an open net in the 75th minute.
"There was a lot of work for us to do this year, but I knew we could win it all if we worked at it, and played the way our coaches wanted us to," said Pineda, who easily earned Man of the Match honors with his two goals, and whirlwind of activity, whether going forward or tracking back to defend against Benet's midfield.
"Tony and Brandon (Braun) got our Man of the Match awards after the game," began Taylor.
"It was Brandon's best game of the year, and along with the rest of the defense: Beiersdorf, Javy (Romero) and sophomore Sean Lonigro, they were able to keep Benet, and in particular, Kenagy away from our goal for most of the ball game.
"This is a great way to send us into the state playoffs, but we'll have to get back to work if we want to continue."
For Wesley, the disappointment of falling just short was easy to sum up during his post-game interview.
"I've said before that we are very young. It's not an excuse, or meant to take anything away for Mike's guys winning today, because they deserve the victory and title.
"But at times we've started 7-8 underclass guys - and today just (four) seniors, and against teams like St. Viator, we can be exposed a little here and there.
"We've dodged a few bullets along the way - counting on Kyle to pull us through with 2-3 goals, especially early on. We'll get back at it and clean some things up before regionals begin, and maybe a game like this will be the type of inspiration all of us need to get going on a nice run in the playoffs."
Starting lineups
Saint Viator
GK: Aaron Tres
D: Chris Beiersdorf
D: Javier Romero
D: Sean Lonigro
D: Brandon Braun
MF: Ryan Carroll
MF: Anthony Pineda
MF: Patrick Hickey
MF: Miles McDonnell
MF: Aidan Williams
F: Zach Gyuricza
Benet Academy
GK: Konrad Bayer
D: Harrison Burke
D: Dustin Uher
D: Jared Kovach
DMF: Bennett Curtis
MF: Connor Mote
MF: Riley Guay
MF: Andrew Heaton
MF: Daniel Morefield
F: Kyle Kenagy
F: David Diltz
Man of the Match: Anthony Pineda, Saint Viator.
Officials: Carlos Herrera (center); Henry Lewin; Victor Herrera.