Win in finale gives Benet slice of ESCC title
2nd half goals from Smith, Rowaiye earn 2-0 win over Saint Viator
By Mike Garofola
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS -- Battered and bruised during its first two weeks of the 2017 season, Benet rebounded to reach the zenith of the East Suburban Catholic Conference.
The Redwings 2-0 victory over host Saint Viator on Friday gave Sean Wesleys' club a share of the league crown and plenty of momentum heading into its state tournament opener Tuesday.
"Yes it felt like we were pretty much left for dead," said the Redwings manager after his lads posed for a team picture inside the nets at the Lions soccer park.
"These guys showed a lot when were down and out at 1-6-1 after that 1-0 loss to St. Patrick in our conference opener at home."
"But that effort against Pat's might have been the turning point in our season," countered senior Danny Smith, whose first goal of the year proved to be the eventual game-winner that gave him and his mates an 8-1-0 record, the same as c-champ Carmel, whom the Redwings beat late last month for the second of its current nine-game unbeaten streak."
"We've really come around as a team after that game with Pat's. We made a couple of positional changes; we've tightened things up along the back. And everybody knows their roles and is playing for each other," added Franklin Rutkowski, whose move up-top alongside Nicholas Trakszelis has inspired the Redwings attack.
Wesley and his strike force all agree the start was nothing like the finish in this renewal of the longtime rivalry. The Lions, an uncharacteristic 5-14-2 overall and 5-2-2 in the ESCC, put the visitors on their heels for the first 20 minutes.
"We did something today that we've struggled with for almost the entire season: play with some urgency, a strong work rate, and a desire to go harder into the tackles. We played much better defense along the back and in the middle," said a pleased Mike Taylor, the longtime Lions manager.
"We came out flat," admitted Wesley. "There was no life in our game at all, but a lot of credit has to go to Saint Viator, because they were the better team for most of the first half.
"We were too anxious," echoed both Rutkowski and Smith when asked what they each thought about the Redwings dreadful start.
After the big crowd was treated to a Jimi Hendrix-like Woodstock rendition of the national anthem by Saint Viator junior Will Hartman on his electric guitar, the Redwings were off to flying start with Rutkowski testing keeper David Petrovich and Smith tossing a pair of long throws created by his mates.
But that was it for awhile from the Redwings (9-6-1, 8-1-0) who were unable to possess or connect through the middle and played much slower than the home side.
"Maybe it was we knew what was a stake and that we had to win in order to share the conference title, but we were way too anxious at the start," Smith said.
The Redwings attack was stalled by the high line the Lions played along the back, which resulted in five offside flags raised. On the other side of the park, the aforementioned Hartman and Zaul Perez proved dangerous when either had the ball at their feet.
Perez used a nifty touch in his attempt to chip Brian Gould, but the Benet keeper read the play well and hauled in the Perez shot from just outside the six-yard box.
Goulds' counterpart Petrovich took a hard hit from Will Benish when the freshman ran to the spot to challenge a 50-50 ball sent in by Rutkowski. The keeper did well to hang on to the ball in the 33rd minute.
The Redwings seemed rejuvenated after the interval, and no doubt a few harsh words from Wesley. Benet almost opened the scoring when Rutkowski's zig-zag run through a trio of defenders ended with his attempt saved by Petrovich.
With the three leading scorers for Benet, Trakszelis, Rutkowski and Jason Rowaiye, still quiet it was the unlikiest of sources to step-up and make a difference. Central defender Smith found his into the box unmarked to strike after Rowaiye kept an Arthur Pach corner alive.
"I was in the moment and in the right place to score for us. And it really seemed to spark the team afterwards," said a humble Smith, who, along with Collin Dannheim received praise from their manager earlier in the week for the terrific work both have turned in from the middle of the defense.
The senior added Chicagoland Soccer's Man of the Match accolade to resume after the match.
Saint Viator responded to the deficit. Lions junior Michael Tangredi, deployed as a withdrawn midfielder in front of the backline of Francisco Campos, Nick DiMarco and Drake Imhoff for the Lions, gave the home side a bit of a jolt in its attack on a handful of trips into the Redwings area. He delivered quality service and distribution to test Gould and his defensive mates.
Once the visitors weathered that storm, it became only a matter of time before they doubled the lead. The insurance goal came from Rowaiye, who ran unmarked to the back post to meet another Pach corner with a thunderous header.
The 68th minute goal all but ended the hopes of a hard-fought Senior Day for Saint Viator, which lost its only two league games in the league to the co-champs.
"I was nervous coming in because we knew that Benet just comes at you and pressures like hell," said Taylor. "But I thought today we handled that really well. It's just that we have not done well finishing this year, and today it was the same thing for us.
"Sean has a real nice ballclub, and they deserved the win and a piece of the ESCC crown."
Benet took home what it came for.
"That's something we stress in our program -- winning trophies. And today that is exactly what the boys did on a day when they were not at their best in the first half," said Wesley.
"It's a special group of players. They understand what it takes to be able to compete day-in and day-out. And during this season, they impressed because they never got down on themselves or each other when we were struggling early on.
"We made some changes, and maybe bruised a few egos in the process, but they all stood tall and embraced their roles and what we were asking each of them to do. And today they saw all of that work and dedication pay off."
Starting lineups
Benet (4-4-2 starting formation)
GK- Brian Gould
D- Tom Miskin
D- Danny Smith
D- Collin Dannheim
D- John Mitra
M- Chris Mankowski
M- Nick Renfro
M- Arthur Pach
M- Franklin Rutkowski
F- Nicholas Trakszelis
F- Jason Rowaiye
Saint Viator (3-1-4-2)
GK- David Petrovich
D- Drake Imhoff
D- Francisco Campos
D- Nick DiMarco
DM- David Stahl
M- Brady Mulligan
M- Zaul Perez
M- Michael Tangredi
M- Sean Carey
F- Will Hartman
F- Jack Hartman
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Danny Smith, sr., D, Benet
Referee: Roman Wojda
Scoring summary
First half
Benet: Smith (Rowaiye, Pach) 52'
Benet: Rowaiye (Pach) 68'
2nd half goals from Smith, Rowaiye earn 2-0 win over Saint Viator
By Mike Garofola
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS -- Battered and bruised during its first two weeks of the 2017 season, Benet rebounded to reach the zenith of the East Suburban Catholic Conference.
The Redwings 2-0 victory over host Saint Viator on Friday gave Sean Wesleys' club a share of the league crown and plenty of momentum heading into its state tournament opener Tuesday.
"Yes it felt like we were pretty much left for dead," said the Redwings manager after his lads posed for a team picture inside the nets at the Lions soccer park.
"These guys showed a lot when were down and out at 1-6-1 after that 1-0 loss to St. Patrick in our conference opener at home."
"But that effort against Pat's might have been the turning point in our season," countered senior Danny Smith, whose first goal of the year proved to be the eventual game-winner that gave him and his mates an 8-1-0 record, the same as c-champ Carmel, whom the Redwings beat late last month for the second of its current nine-game unbeaten streak."
"We've really come around as a team after that game with Pat's. We made a couple of positional changes; we've tightened things up along the back. And everybody knows their roles and is playing for each other," added Franklin Rutkowski, whose move up-top alongside Nicholas Trakszelis has inspired the Redwings attack.
Wesley and his strike force all agree the start was nothing like the finish in this renewal of the longtime rivalry. The Lions, an uncharacteristic 5-14-2 overall and 5-2-2 in the ESCC, put the visitors on their heels for the first 20 minutes.
"We did something today that we've struggled with for almost the entire season: play with some urgency, a strong work rate, and a desire to go harder into the tackles. We played much better defense along the back and in the middle," said a pleased Mike Taylor, the longtime Lions manager.
"We came out flat," admitted Wesley. "There was no life in our game at all, but a lot of credit has to go to Saint Viator, because they were the better team for most of the first half.
"We were too anxious," echoed both Rutkowski and Smith when asked what they each thought about the Redwings dreadful start.
After the big crowd was treated to a Jimi Hendrix-like Woodstock rendition of the national anthem by Saint Viator junior Will Hartman on his electric guitar, the Redwings were off to flying start with Rutkowski testing keeper David Petrovich and Smith tossing a pair of long throws created by his mates.
But that was it for awhile from the Redwings (9-6-1, 8-1-0) who were unable to possess or connect through the middle and played much slower than the home side.
"Maybe it was we knew what was a stake and that we had to win in order to share the conference title, but we were way too anxious at the start," Smith said.
The Redwings attack was stalled by the high line the Lions played along the back, which resulted in five offside flags raised. On the other side of the park, the aforementioned Hartman and Zaul Perez proved dangerous when either had the ball at their feet.
Perez used a nifty touch in his attempt to chip Brian Gould, but the Benet keeper read the play well and hauled in the Perez shot from just outside the six-yard box.
Goulds' counterpart Petrovich took a hard hit from Will Benish when the freshman ran to the spot to challenge a 50-50 ball sent in by Rutkowski. The keeper did well to hang on to the ball in the 33rd minute.
The Redwings seemed rejuvenated after the interval, and no doubt a few harsh words from Wesley. Benet almost opened the scoring when Rutkowski's zig-zag run through a trio of defenders ended with his attempt saved by Petrovich.
With the three leading scorers for Benet, Trakszelis, Rutkowski and Jason Rowaiye, still quiet it was the unlikiest of sources to step-up and make a difference. Central defender Smith found his into the box unmarked to strike after Rowaiye kept an Arthur Pach corner alive.
"I was in the moment and in the right place to score for us. And it really seemed to spark the team afterwards," said a humble Smith, who, along with Collin Dannheim received praise from their manager earlier in the week for the terrific work both have turned in from the middle of the defense.
The senior added Chicagoland Soccer's Man of the Match accolade to resume after the match.
Saint Viator responded to the deficit. Lions junior Michael Tangredi, deployed as a withdrawn midfielder in front of the backline of Francisco Campos, Nick DiMarco and Drake Imhoff for the Lions, gave the home side a bit of a jolt in its attack on a handful of trips into the Redwings area. He delivered quality service and distribution to test Gould and his defensive mates.
Once the visitors weathered that storm, it became only a matter of time before they doubled the lead. The insurance goal came from Rowaiye, who ran unmarked to the back post to meet another Pach corner with a thunderous header.
The 68th minute goal all but ended the hopes of a hard-fought Senior Day for Saint Viator, which lost its only two league games in the league to the co-champs.
"I was nervous coming in because we knew that Benet just comes at you and pressures like hell," said Taylor. "But I thought today we handled that really well. It's just that we have not done well finishing this year, and today it was the same thing for us.
"Sean has a real nice ballclub, and they deserved the win and a piece of the ESCC crown."
Benet took home what it came for.
"That's something we stress in our program -- winning trophies. And today that is exactly what the boys did on a day when they were not at their best in the first half," said Wesley.
"It's a special group of players. They understand what it takes to be able to compete day-in and day-out. And during this season, they impressed because they never got down on themselves or each other when we were struggling early on.
"We made some changes, and maybe bruised a few egos in the process, but they all stood tall and embraced their roles and what we were asking each of them to do. And today they saw all of that work and dedication pay off."
Starting lineups
Benet (4-4-2 starting formation)
GK- Brian Gould
D- Tom Miskin
D- Danny Smith
D- Collin Dannheim
D- John Mitra
M- Chris Mankowski
M- Nick Renfro
M- Arthur Pach
M- Franklin Rutkowski
F- Nicholas Trakszelis
F- Jason Rowaiye
Saint Viator (3-1-4-2)
GK- David Petrovich
D- Drake Imhoff
D- Francisco Campos
D- Nick DiMarco
DM- David Stahl
M- Brady Mulligan
M- Zaul Perez
M- Michael Tangredi
M- Sean Carey
F- Will Hartman
F- Jack Hartman
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Danny Smith, sr., D, Benet
Referee: Roman Wojda
Scoring summary
First half
Benet: Smith (Rowaiye, Pach) 52'
Benet: Rowaiye (Pach) 68'