Clinical Casmere leads
Benet past Saint Viator
Sophomore's hat-trick moves 'Wings 1 step closer to ESCC title
By Mike Garofola
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS -- What a big week for Benet soccer and what a big Thursday for Anna Casmere.
The sophomore netted three-consecutive goals to help the Redwings (12-0-0, 5-0-0) claim a 5-1 road victory over longtime rival Saint Viator.
This win was the beginning of the end of the hopes for one last East Suburban Catholic Conference title for Saint Viator manager Mike Taylor, who is retiring after 34 brilliant seasons. The Lions got their second league loss when they fell 4-0 against Joliet Catholic on Saturday.
Benet’s 4-1 win on May 17 over Class AA state power Joliet Catholic put the Redwings firmly in control of the league standings.
"Coming off that big win over JCA on Monday, then having Saint Viator midweek on our first really hot day to play, you never know what you’re going to get," said Benet manager Gerard Oconer. “But the girls left it all out there today to grind out a huge win for us.
"It was a typical Benet-Viator game. I expected nothing less. After a rather slow start and a good talk at the break, the girls came out and played well."
The manager gave his club a well-deserved day off Friday in advance of their 9-0 win over Marian on Saturday.
The visitors opened in sensational fashion when Casmere took the first of three helpers on the day from Mariana Pinto and split the Lions backline wide open. She drew keeper Lily Collins off her line before finishing with a lovely touch into the far inside corner.
The Casmere strike just three minutes into the contest seemed to fuel the type of start Benet wanted to use as a springboard to an easy victory. But when it's Benet-Saint Viator that is seldom the case. The Redwings failed to take the momentum and run with it.
"We really didn't play well as a team at the start," said Casmere.
"In my opinion, I don't think our heads were really into it right away, and it showed. Our passes were not very good; we were leaving players open; and we just didn't play with that quickness and energy we always seem to have."
While Casmere spoke the truth of the Redwings first period effort, some of the credit must go to the home-side Lions (6-3-2, 2-1-1) who woke up after conceding the first goal.
Saint Viator escaped a larger deficit when Jaimee Cibulka drove an attempt off the side netting, and Collins denied Rachel Burns in the 8th minute.
Though they tried, the Lions couldn’t take control.
"We came to play in the first half, (had) our chances to put one or two in before the half,” said Taylor. “But we ran out of steam once they went up 2-1 after the half. Then the heat, and prom the day before really just caught up with us.
"Was the 5-1 result the fair result, maybe no. But they were much better than we were in the second half, and that's where you win ball games like this one."
Taylor led Saint Viator’s women’s program to three state trophies in his 10 years at the helm. On the men’s side, he finished close to 700-career victories, which included nine state tournament appearances and two state titles.
With a high work-rate and pace coming from Caroline Sexton up-top and an air of superiority from Gabby Brown in the middle of the park, the Lions had most of the play during the first half hour but rarely directed quality chances at Redwings keeper Shannon Clark.
Her counterpart Collins, on the other hand, was much busier. She stopped Nora Hanson’s point-blank effort in the 12th minute, then thanked teammate Emily Rascher for clearing a ball off the line after Hanson’s effort spilled free.
Saint Viator lost Sidney Styger for the day on the play. That required Rascher to step into one of the central defending spots alongside Emma Ziebka.
"Losing Sidney was a tough blow for us. (She) keeps us organized, is a great communicator and plays with a lot of heart," said Taylor.
The visitors began to put themselves on the front foot with the help of Katie Lewellyan, who began to win first- and second-balls away from the Lions midfield.
Meanwhile, Clark saved the home side’s best chance of the first half when she confidently stopped an attempt off the foot of Joey Westerkamp.
Collins made a nice double save on Cibulka in the 31st minute after a nice pass from Ashley Donovan. Moments later Cibulka was at it again but drove her 16-yard effort over the bar.
"I felt like we started to play a little better before the half, but at the break, coach told us we had to go out and play with more energy and urgency in the second half," said senior Page Neri, who ws one of the second half heroes in the Redwings attack.
"We were told by (Oconer) that we had to play quicker passes, one- and two-touch kind of play, instead of holding onto the ball too long, which played right into the high line Saint Viator was playing," added Casmere.
The aforementioned Sexton put here side back level with the Redwings three minutes after the intermission. A short clearing effort was gobbled up by the ever present Lions forward, who then slotted under Clark.
With their play now brimming with supreme confidence, the home side went in search of the go-ahead goal. They created a pair of corners, plus a free kick following a handball just off the 18-yard line.
Benet’s failure to clear the area of the freekick led to Sadie Sterbenz taking the ball of the line to rescue her teammates.
Moments later, Casmere put her side up for good when Neri and Pinto crafted a terrific ball to send the eventual Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match through.
Once in close, the sophomore used two quick touches to spring free of trouble and force Collins out of position. She then dribbled around the Lions keeper before finishing with ease.
With the Lions now showing defensive frailty, the high-tempo style Benet has flashed all season long began to show.
Pinto was stopped point-blank at 63 minutes after Cibulka and Neri facilitated her an opportunity. Then it was Anne Warren's turn but her drive went just wide.
Neri played yet another terrific ball across to Casmere, who completed her hat-trick in the 72nd minute.
Six minutes later, Neri found herself closest to a cross from Cibulka. He shot was redirected in off a Lions defender.
Cibulka added one more to the score line in the 80th minute on Pinto’s third assist on the afternoon.
"We knew this was the week we needed to be at our best with JCA first, then Saint Viator, so it feels great to come away with two big wins against two great teams," said Neri.
"Brooke and Sadie were really good defensively all day for us, which especially helped us in the first half when we struggled a little bit with our play," began Casmere.
"When we started to play quicker, and with just one or two touches in the second half, the game opened up for us, and we took advantage of it."
"Anna had a terrific day for us, and with her speed, plus Cibulka's (it) becomes very difficult for our opponents to cover them both. Today you saw how Paige (Neri) can be a real difference-maker up-top for us as well," said Oconer.
"It was such an important week in conference for us," continued the Redwings manager.
"We had four players get their vaccine this week. One was not feeling well enough to play today, and yesterday was the senior outing.
"The girls had to fight hard against a great opponent, and on the hottest day of the year thus far. So I am very proud of all of them for their effort here today."
Starting lineups
Benet (4-3-3)
G- Shannon Clark
D- Sadie Sterbenz
D- Brooke Pullen
D- Annastacia Thiel
D- Nora Hanson
M- Mariana Pinto
M- Katie Lewellyan
M- Rachel Burns
F- Anna Casmere
F- Jaimee Cibulka
F- Paige Neri
Saint Viator (4-4-2)
G- Lily Collins
D- Molly Craig
D- Sidney Styger
D- Emma Ziebka
D- Laili Azari
M- Sydney Grant
M- Gabby Brown
M- Joey Westerkamp
M- Taylor Brackett
F- Emily Doersching
F- Caroline Sexton
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match:
Anna Casmere, so., F Benet
Referee: John Jakobsze
Scoring summary
First half
Benet: Casmere (Pinto) 5'
Second half
Saint Viator: Sexton (Doersching) 43'
Benet: Casmere (Neri, Pinto) 58'
Benet: Casmere (Neri, Hanson) 72'
Benet: own-goal 78'
Benet: Cibulka (Pinto) 80'
Benet past Saint Viator
Sophomore's hat-trick moves 'Wings 1 step closer to ESCC title
By Mike Garofola
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS -- What a big week for Benet soccer and what a big Thursday for Anna Casmere.
The sophomore netted three-consecutive goals to help the Redwings (12-0-0, 5-0-0) claim a 5-1 road victory over longtime rival Saint Viator.
This win was the beginning of the end of the hopes for one last East Suburban Catholic Conference title for Saint Viator manager Mike Taylor, who is retiring after 34 brilliant seasons. The Lions got their second league loss when they fell 4-0 against Joliet Catholic on Saturday.
Benet’s 4-1 win on May 17 over Class AA state power Joliet Catholic put the Redwings firmly in control of the league standings.
"Coming off that big win over JCA on Monday, then having Saint Viator midweek on our first really hot day to play, you never know what you’re going to get," said Benet manager Gerard Oconer. “But the girls left it all out there today to grind out a huge win for us.
"It was a typical Benet-Viator game. I expected nothing less. After a rather slow start and a good talk at the break, the girls came out and played well."
The manager gave his club a well-deserved day off Friday in advance of their 9-0 win over Marian on Saturday.
The visitors opened in sensational fashion when Casmere took the first of three helpers on the day from Mariana Pinto and split the Lions backline wide open. She drew keeper Lily Collins off her line before finishing with a lovely touch into the far inside corner.
The Casmere strike just three minutes into the contest seemed to fuel the type of start Benet wanted to use as a springboard to an easy victory. But when it's Benet-Saint Viator that is seldom the case. The Redwings failed to take the momentum and run with it.
"We really didn't play well as a team at the start," said Casmere.
"In my opinion, I don't think our heads were really into it right away, and it showed. Our passes were not very good; we were leaving players open; and we just didn't play with that quickness and energy we always seem to have."
While Casmere spoke the truth of the Redwings first period effort, some of the credit must go to the home-side Lions (6-3-2, 2-1-1) who woke up after conceding the first goal.
Saint Viator escaped a larger deficit when Jaimee Cibulka drove an attempt off the side netting, and Collins denied Rachel Burns in the 8th minute.
Though they tried, the Lions couldn’t take control.
"We came to play in the first half, (had) our chances to put one or two in before the half,” said Taylor. “But we ran out of steam once they went up 2-1 after the half. Then the heat, and prom the day before really just caught up with us.
"Was the 5-1 result the fair result, maybe no. But they were much better than we were in the second half, and that's where you win ball games like this one."
Taylor led Saint Viator’s women’s program to three state trophies in his 10 years at the helm. On the men’s side, he finished close to 700-career victories, which included nine state tournament appearances and two state titles.
With a high work-rate and pace coming from Caroline Sexton up-top and an air of superiority from Gabby Brown in the middle of the park, the Lions had most of the play during the first half hour but rarely directed quality chances at Redwings keeper Shannon Clark.
Her counterpart Collins, on the other hand, was much busier. She stopped Nora Hanson’s point-blank effort in the 12th minute, then thanked teammate Emily Rascher for clearing a ball off the line after Hanson’s effort spilled free.
Saint Viator lost Sidney Styger for the day on the play. That required Rascher to step into one of the central defending spots alongside Emma Ziebka.
"Losing Sidney was a tough blow for us. (She) keeps us organized, is a great communicator and plays with a lot of heart," said Taylor.
The visitors began to put themselves on the front foot with the help of Katie Lewellyan, who began to win first- and second-balls away from the Lions midfield.
Meanwhile, Clark saved the home side’s best chance of the first half when she confidently stopped an attempt off the foot of Joey Westerkamp.
Collins made a nice double save on Cibulka in the 31st minute after a nice pass from Ashley Donovan. Moments later Cibulka was at it again but drove her 16-yard effort over the bar.
"I felt like we started to play a little better before the half, but at the break, coach told us we had to go out and play with more energy and urgency in the second half," said senior Page Neri, who ws one of the second half heroes in the Redwings attack.
"We were told by (Oconer) that we had to play quicker passes, one- and two-touch kind of play, instead of holding onto the ball too long, which played right into the high line Saint Viator was playing," added Casmere.
The aforementioned Sexton put here side back level with the Redwings three minutes after the intermission. A short clearing effort was gobbled up by the ever present Lions forward, who then slotted under Clark.
With their play now brimming with supreme confidence, the home side went in search of the go-ahead goal. They created a pair of corners, plus a free kick following a handball just off the 18-yard line.
Benet’s failure to clear the area of the freekick led to Sadie Sterbenz taking the ball of the line to rescue her teammates.
Moments later, Casmere put her side up for good when Neri and Pinto crafted a terrific ball to send the eventual Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match through.
Once in close, the sophomore used two quick touches to spring free of trouble and force Collins out of position. She then dribbled around the Lions keeper before finishing with ease.
With the Lions now showing defensive frailty, the high-tempo style Benet has flashed all season long began to show.
Pinto was stopped point-blank at 63 minutes after Cibulka and Neri facilitated her an opportunity. Then it was Anne Warren's turn but her drive went just wide.
Neri played yet another terrific ball across to Casmere, who completed her hat-trick in the 72nd minute.
Six minutes later, Neri found herself closest to a cross from Cibulka. He shot was redirected in off a Lions defender.
Cibulka added one more to the score line in the 80th minute on Pinto’s third assist on the afternoon.
"We knew this was the week we needed to be at our best with JCA first, then Saint Viator, so it feels great to come away with two big wins against two great teams," said Neri.
"Brooke and Sadie were really good defensively all day for us, which especially helped us in the first half when we struggled a little bit with our play," began Casmere.
"When we started to play quicker, and with just one or two touches in the second half, the game opened up for us, and we took advantage of it."
"Anna had a terrific day for us, and with her speed, plus Cibulka's (it) becomes very difficult for our opponents to cover them both. Today you saw how Paige (Neri) can be a real difference-maker up-top for us as well," said Oconer.
"It was such an important week in conference for us," continued the Redwings manager.
"We had four players get their vaccine this week. One was not feeling well enough to play today, and yesterday was the senior outing.
"The girls had to fight hard against a great opponent, and on the hottest day of the year thus far. So I am very proud of all of them for their effort here today."
Starting lineups
Benet (4-3-3)
G- Shannon Clark
D- Sadie Sterbenz
D- Brooke Pullen
D- Annastacia Thiel
D- Nora Hanson
M- Mariana Pinto
M- Katie Lewellyan
M- Rachel Burns
F- Anna Casmere
F- Jaimee Cibulka
F- Paige Neri
Saint Viator (4-4-2)
G- Lily Collins
D- Molly Craig
D- Sidney Styger
D- Emma Ziebka
D- Laili Azari
M- Sydney Grant
M- Gabby Brown
M- Joey Westerkamp
M- Taylor Brackett
F- Emily Doersching
F- Caroline Sexton
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match:
Anna Casmere, so., F Benet
Referee: John Jakobsze
Scoring summary
First half
Benet: Casmere (Pinto) 5'
Second half
Saint Viator: Sexton (Doersching) 43'
Benet: Casmere (Neri, Pinto) 58'
Benet: Casmere (Neri, Hanson) 72'
Benet: own-goal 78'
Benet: Cibulka (Pinto) 80'