Naperville N. turns things around vs. Benet
Huskies reach final of Best of the West with 2-1 win
By Mike Garofola
NAPERVILLE -- Naperville North's 2-1 win over Benet in the teams' final pool game of the Best of the West tournament was a reminder of the Huskies pedigree and recent history of success, and the victory sent coach Jim Konrad's club back into the final of the Best of the West tournament.
There are those who would say the first two weeks of Naperville North's 2019 campaign were hardly anything to boast of, despite the strength of schedule. However, the Huskies turned in a vintage performance to earn a spot opposite crosstown rival Naperville Central for the big trophy on Saturday night.
"There's likely some pressure on the guys. To be fair, we're coming off a third-consecutive state championship last year with a perfect 26-0-0 record," understated Konrad.
"It's been a bit of a struggle here in the early stages of the season. Some of that tied into the graduation losses we took on, beginning with a keeper like Tommy (Welch) and center back Colin Iverson."
"You see professional teams coming off championship seasons and having difficulty finding their way, and that's what it's been like for us in our first five games.
"We have a lot of talent. Plus Patrick Koenig is still out with his ankle sprain, so I know we'll find our way through. And today was a good start to doing just that."
For the record, the Huskies, ranked third in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 despite a winless first week, entered this final contest of group play at a pedestrian 1-2-2. During that span they conceded six goals, one more than the 2018 club did during the entire season.
"Yes, we kind of miss Welch and Iverson," said Myles Barry. "We never had to worry there because Welch got to everything, while Iverson won everything in the air. (That's) big in high school soccer."
Barry did his best impression of his former teammate Iverson with nearly a 100 percent win total in the air war as the Huskies center back and proved dangerous in the countless dead-ball chances created on the day.
"The bar is always set high here at North in soccer; (the) history of this program speaks for itself," he said.
"So, here at the start, I really believe most of us are feeling the pressure of following up in the footsteps of the last three championship teams."
Barry earned Chicagoland Soccer's Man of the Match honor for his dominating 80 minutes of play along the back for North.
"Naperville North soccer is all about pressure, defending, and creating deep throws, free kicks, corners (any) and all types of dead-balls," said assistant coach Martin Uscila, who filled in for manager Sean Wesley. "Today, it was all of that ... that did us in."
No. 11 Benet's start to the season had been as bright as Saturday morning was at Naperville North.
The Redwings came in undefeated in their first four matches, including two here at the tournament to set themselves up where a win or draw would have sent them into the final.
"I felt as if we were the best team in this tournament, but in order to be the best, you have to play your best," Uscila said. "Today we just didn't do that. North was the better team."
Uscila admitted the loss of two starters for this contest after both were sent off during the Redwings shootout win Thursday against Oswego played a role in the final decision, but he was quick to add nothing could be taken away from the effort of the Huskies.
"We had to move some guys around in order to compensate for those two being out for this game, and (that) made a difference to be honest. But that doesn't account for how we went flat after our early score and their quick equalizer," said Uscila.
The quick breakthrough Uscila spoke of came when Anthony Klos stunned the homeside at 4 minutes with a blistering angled effort into the far inside netting.
In response, when the Redwings paused far too long to control a loose ball in their own end, Naperville North's Ty Konrad made them pay dearly for their misstep and drove a smoldering close-range strike high into the center of the net only two minutes after the Klos goal.
"The next five minutes after any goal are the most important, and when you have a let down in your own end, that's what can happen to a team," said Benet's Nick Augustyn. "After they got back even, it seemed like we were chasing the game the rest of the way."
The senior is a key addition to the Redwings roster after coming back from Sockers FC Chicago to play his final year of high school soccer with his mates.
Augustyn, a sikly smooth lefty, opened along the back on the outside but was moved into the midfield after the Huskies doubled their advantage. He has an offer to play at Calvin College next fall, but will take a look at the University of Rochester before making his final decision.
"There's a lot of talent on this team, so I know we can compete with any team we play this year, but today we lost our way a little bit, and maybe a loss like this is the wake-up call we all need to bring us around."
After the Konrad equalizer, the Huskies put their foot on the pedal and the high pressure from the Ohio State-bound Konrad, along with his running mate up-top Zach Smith proved to eventually pry open the Redwings defense
That, along with an incredible work rate from Cesar Recendez, Alex Barger and company in the middle of the park, was enough to make for a long afternoon for the Benet faithful.
"This was our most complete effort of the year, but we still have a long way to go," said Recendez.
The Huskies put their opponents under for a variety of reasons, but just as Uscila mentioned earlier, it was their ability to create dead-ball opportunities. While those chances didn't always end up on frame, they kept Naperville North in the Redwings end far more than Uscila would have liked.
"They had us on our heels for much of the day, and I have to say it seemed to sap our energy as the game went on. When that happens, you end up paying for it in the back of your net," said Uscila.
Uscilas' man between the sticks, Vyto Staniskis, did his part and kept the box clean with several strong efforts near the spot as he went airborne to bring down quality serves.
The game was all-action for 80 minutes -- quick, fast and fun to watch.
There were also six yellow card bookings, two which seemed harsh for the early time they were given, with one or two others needed only because of the precedent set for the pair displayed before the half hour.
Freshman Barger continues to show he belongs at the varsity level with his crafty play and delightful distribution. He fits right in along the back, an area the program prides itself in with Barry and Christian Romano were near watertight all throughout.
On the outside, Evan Thompson did well. Junior Josh Kaufman earned high marks from his manager.
"We lost two from last year along the back, and Evan's play on the left today proved he earned that spot," said Konrad.
While the Huskies were enjoying most of the play, the visitors nearly surprised their host just before the intermission after Hans Haenicke and Klos combined to put Trent McVey near the edge.
Once there, McVey was fouled, which gave Augustyn a chance from 20 yards.
North keeper Jason Barba recorded his only save in the half when he made a fine save on the sharp strike from Augustyn by pushing the attempt up and off the bar.
Barba was smart to come off his line with an urgent step when another Augustyn free kick managed to draw near to the six-yard box, but that was it after 40 minutes for the Redwings.
North played like it knew it had another goal in them. The Huskies continued to put more pressure on the visitors with a 10-minute push that included deep throws and corners.
When Ty Konrad sent Nata Rojas through, the shot was saved well by Staniskis. However, the rebound spilled freely towards the right post.
The ever-opportunistic Zach Smith wasted little time with a sublime 60th-minute finish.
"Cesar, Zach, and Ty, who was finally a little selfish like we've asked him to be, were all strong today. Myles and Romano kept us organized and clean in the back," said a proud Jim Konrad.
A looping effort from Benet's Michael Fernandes into the box was pulled down with confidence by Barba, who then watched a Haenicke try from 25 yards sail over the bar.
With the visitors now pushing numbers forward, the Huskies dropped a few back in order to even out the count in the final 10 minutes before time.
Both McVey and Nick Renfro had shots blocked on the way into the box for Benet, but that was as close as the Redwings would get.
"The two goals we conceded were bad goals, not for North who did well to create them but instead with the way defended," said Uscila.
"(Still) this was a good game for us to be in. Of course we would have liked to be playing tonight in the final, but we'll take a lot from this experience of playing a great opponent like North, and go on from here."
Naperville North quickly changed its focus toward the title game and a turnaround to its early fortunes.
"We're happy with this result, but, again, we all know there's a lot of work ahead of us, but that's okay," began Recendez.
"For a lot of us who are back, I think we all want to prove we belong right there with the other championship teams, but for the few of us who have been here for all three, we know what it takes to get there, and we're willing to do whatever it takes."
Starting lineups
Benet (4-5-1)
G- Vyto Staniskis
D- Thomas Miskin
D- Zach Serafin
D- Conor Perkins
D- Preston Wray
M- Michael Rocco
M- Nick Augustyn
M- Anthony Klos
M- Nick Renfro
M- Hans Haenicke
F- Trent McVey
Naperville North
(4-4-2)
G- Jason Barba
D- Josh Kaufman
D- Christian Romano
D- Myles Barry
D- Evan Thompson
M- Ali Khorfan
M- Cesar Recendez
M- Nata Rojas
M- Alex Barger
F- Ty Konrad
F- Zach Smith
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Myles Barry, sr., D, Naperville North
Referee: Boris Vukovich
Scoring summary
First half
Benet: Klos (Haenicke) 4'
Naperville North: Konrad (U/A) 6'
Second half
Naperville North: Smith (Konrad, Rojas) 60'
Huskies reach final of Best of the West with 2-1 win
By Mike Garofola
NAPERVILLE -- Naperville North's 2-1 win over Benet in the teams' final pool game of the Best of the West tournament was a reminder of the Huskies pedigree and recent history of success, and the victory sent coach Jim Konrad's club back into the final of the Best of the West tournament.
There are those who would say the first two weeks of Naperville North's 2019 campaign were hardly anything to boast of, despite the strength of schedule. However, the Huskies turned in a vintage performance to earn a spot opposite crosstown rival Naperville Central for the big trophy on Saturday night.
"There's likely some pressure on the guys. To be fair, we're coming off a third-consecutive state championship last year with a perfect 26-0-0 record," understated Konrad.
"It's been a bit of a struggle here in the early stages of the season. Some of that tied into the graduation losses we took on, beginning with a keeper like Tommy (Welch) and center back Colin Iverson."
"You see professional teams coming off championship seasons and having difficulty finding their way, and that's what it's been like for us in our first five games.
"We have a lot of talent. Plus Patrick Koenig is still out with his ankle sprain, so I know we'll find our way through. And today was a good start to doing just that."
For the record, the Huskies, ranked third in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 despite a winless first week, entered this final contest of group play at a pedestrian 1-2-2. During that span they conceded six goals, one more than the 2018 club did during the entire season.
"Yes, we kind of miss Welch and Iverson," said Myles Barry. "We never had to worry there because Welch got to everything, while Iverson won everything in the air. (That's) big in high school soccer."
Barry did his best impression of his former teammate Iverson with nearly a 100 percent win total in the air war as the Huskies center back and proved dangerous in the countless dead-ball chances created on the day.
"The bar is always set high here at North in soccer; (the) history of this program speaks for itself," he said.
"So, here at the start, I really believe most of us are feeling the pressure of following up in the footsteps of the last three championship teams."
Barry earned Chicagoland Soccer's Man of the Match honor for his dominating 80 minutes of play along the back for North.
"Naperville North soccer is all about pressure, defending, and creating deep throws, free kicks, corners (any) and all types of dead-balls," said assistant coach Martin Uscila, who filled in for manager Sean Wesley. "Today, it was all of that ... that did us in."
No. 11 Benet's start to the season had been as bright as Saturday morning was at Naperville North.
The Redwings came in undefeated in their first four matches, including two here at the tournament to set themselves up where a win or draw would have sent them into the final.
"I felt as if we were the best team in this tournament, but in order to be the best, you have to play your best," Uscila said. "Today we just didn't do that. North was the better team."
Uscila admitted the loss of two starters for this contest after both were sent off during the Redwings shootout win Thursday against Oswego played a role in the final decision, but he was quick to add nothing could be taken away from the effort of the Huskies.
"We had to move some guys around in order to compensate for those two being out for this game, and (that) made a difference to be honest. But that doesn't account for how we went flat after our early score and their quick equalizer," said Uscila.
The quick breakthrough Uscila spoke of came when Anthony Klos stunned the homeside at 4 minutes with a blistering angled effort into the far inside netting.
In response, when the Redwings paused far too long to control a loose ball in their own end, Naperville North's Ty Konrad made them pay dearly for their misstep and drove a smoldering close-range strike high into the center of the net only two minutes after the Klos goal.
"The next five minutes after any goal are the most important, and when you have a let down in your own end, that's what can happen to a team," said Benet's Nick Augustyn. "After they got back even, it seemed like we were chasing the game the rest of the way."
The senior is a key addition to the Redwings roster after coming back from Sockers FC Chicago to play his final year of high school soccer with his mates.
Augustyn, a sikly smooth lefty, opened along the back on the outside but was moved into the midfield after the Huskies doubled their advantage. He has an offer to play at Calvin College next fall, but will take a look at the University of Rochester before making his final decision.
"There's a lot of talent on this team, so I know we can compete with any team we play this year, but today we lost our way a little bit, and maybe a loss like this is the wake-up call we all need to bring us around."
After the Konrad equalizer, the Huskies put their foot on the pedal and the high pressure from the Ohio State-bound Konrad, along with his running mate up-top Zach Smith proved to eventually pry open the Redwings defense
That, along with an incredible work rate from Cesar Recendez, Alex Barger and company in the middle of the park, was enough to make for a long afternoon for the Benet faithful.
"This was our most complete effort of the year, but we still have a long way to go," said Recendez.
The Huskies put their opponents under for a variety of reasons, but just as Uscila mentioned earlier, it was their ability to create dead-ball opportunities. While those chances didn't always end up on frame, they kept Naperville North in the Redwings end far more than Uscila would have liked.
"They had us on our heels for much of the day, and I have to say it seemed to sap our energy as the game went on. When that happens, you end up paying for it in the back of your net," said Uscila.
Uscilas' man between the sticks, Vyto Staniskis, did his part and kept the box clean with several strong efforts near the spot as he went airborne to bring down quality serves.
The game was all-action for 80 minutes -- quick, fast and fun to watch.
There were also six yellow card bookings, two which seemed harsh for the early time they were given, with one or two others needed only because of the precedent set for the pair displayed before the half hour.
Freshman Barger continues to show he belongs at the varsity level with his crafty play and delightful distribution. He fits right in along the back, an area the program prides itself in with Barry and Christian Romano were near watertight all throughout.
On the outside, Evan Thompson did well. Junior Josh Kaufman earned high marks from his manager.
"We lost two from last year along the back, and Evan's play on the left today proved he earned that spot," said Konrad.
While the Huskies were enjoying most of the play, the visitors nearly surprised their host just before the intermission after Hans Haenicke and Klos combined to put Trent McVey near the edge.
Once there, McVey was fouled, which gave Augustyn a chance from 20 yards.
North keeper Jason Barba recorded his only save in the half when he made a fine save on the sharp strike from Augustyn by pushing the attempt up and off the bar.
Barba was smart to come off his line with an urgent step when another Augustyn free kick managed to draw near to the six-yard box, but that was it after 40 minutes for the Redwings.
North played like it knew it had another goal in them. The Huskies continued to put more pressure on the visitors with a 10-minute push that included deep throws and corners.
When Ty Konrad sent Nata Rojas through, the shot was saved well by Staniskis. However, the rebound spilled freely towards the right post.
The ever-opportunistic Zach Smith wasted little time with a sublime 60th-minute finish.
"Cesar, Zach, and Ty, who was finally a little selfish like we've asked him to be, were all strong today. Myles and Romano kept us organized and clean in the back," said a proud Jim Konrad.
A looping effort from Benet's Michael Fernandes into the box was pulled down with confidence by Barba, who then watched a Haenicke try from 25 yards sail over the bar.
With the visitors now pushing numbers forward, the Huskies dropped a few back in order to even out the count in the final 10 minutes before time.
Both McVey and Nick Renfro had shots blocked on the way into the box for Benet, but that was as close as the Redwings would get.
"The two goals we conceded were bad goals, not for North who did well to create them but instead with the way defended," said Uscila.
"(Still) this was a good game for us to be in. Of course we would have liked to be playing tonight in the final, but we'll take a lot from this experience of playing a great opponent like North, and go on from here."
Naperville North quickly changed its focus toward the title game and a turnaround to its early fortunes.
"We're happy with this result, but, again, we all know there's a lot of work ahead of us, but that's okay," began Recendez.
"For a lot of us who are back, I think we all want to prove we belong right there with the other championship teams, but for the few of us who have been here for all three, we know what it takes to get there, and we're willing to do whatever it takes."
Starting lineups
Benet (4-5-1)
G- Vyto Staniskis
D- Thomas Miskin
D- Zach Serafin
D- Conor Perkins
D- Preston Wray
M- Michael Rocco
M- Nick Augustyn
M- Anthony Klos
M- Nick Renfro
M- Hans Haenicke
F- Trent McVey
Naperville North
(4-4-2)
G- Jason Barba
D- Josh Kaufman
D- Christian Romano
D- Myles Barry
D- Evan Thompson
M- Ali Khorfan
M- Cesar Recendez
M- Nata Rojas
M- Alex Barger
F- Ty Konrad
F- Zach Smith
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Myles Barry, sr., D, Naperville North
Referee: Boris Vukovich
Scoring summary
First half
Benet: Klos (Haenicke) 4'
Naperville North: Konrad (U/A) 6'
Second half
Naperville North: Smith (Konrad, Rojas) 60'