Benet takes title, denies CLS repeat bid
Redwings record 21st shutout of the season in dynamic 2-0 win
By Chris Walker
HOFFMAN ESTATES – Just 50 seconds into the Class AA state championship game, Benet junior Chris Mankowski got on the other end of a T.J. McVey cross, but his header found the post right in front of him, caroming out of harm’s way and allowing Crystal Lake South to breathe a huge sigh of relief.
The Gators were fortunate to avoid going into a 1-nil hole that early, but they wouldn’t have a scoring opportunity nearly as dangerous as Mankowski’s over the next 79 minutes as the Redwings continued their amazing defensive run and won their first state title in 18 years with a 2-0 victory.
The win was Benet’s 21st shutout of the season.
According to the IHSA record book, Granite City South has the record of 23 shutouts in 1982, but they played 32 games (72 percent of wins via shutout). There are four teams who had 22. Naperville North, in its third-consecutive Class 3A title season last year, is the most impressive of that quartet with 22 shutouts of 26 teams (85 percent. The other teams in that group played 29 or 30 games (73 to 76 percent).
Benet shut out 21 of 24 teams (88 percent). So from a percentage standpoint, the Redwings would rank as the stingiest team in state history.
The prized small list of players who scored this season against Benet are:
1. Ty Konrad, Naperville North, Sept. 7 (Benet's only loss of the season, a 2-1 decision in Best of the West tournament pool play)
2. Zach Smith, Naperville North, Sept. 7
3. Ryan Crawley (PK), Carmel, Oct. 5 (3-1 Benet East Suburban Catholic Conference win)
4. Ivan Guerrero, St. Patrick, Oct. 15 (a 1-1 tie vs. the fourth place Class 3A finisher in the game ESCC play)
Shutout victims included, but were not limited to Class 3A regional champs: Geneva, Naperville Central, Oswego; Class AA regional champs: Sycamore and Lemont; Class AA sectional champion Notre Dame (Peoria) and Class 3A state champion West Chicago, who the Redwings battled to a scoreless draw on Oct. 3.
In 2016, the last year the Redwings qualified for state, they gave up more goals (6) through their first four games then they did this year, yielding 22 for the season.
That’s quite the resume.
“We knew going into the game that they were one of the top-ranked teams in the nation and were going to be hard to beat,” Gators senior Colton Weidner said. “Props to them. They had some defensive stops that were crucial, and they got a couple of goals. They played well and possessed. We tried to counter and get a goal, but we couldn’t find the net.”
Crystal Lake South’s effort was phenomenal, as it has consistantly been in every game it has played the past two years, but the Gators simply ran into a team of destiny that’s greedier than the Grinch when it comes to giving up goals.
“They’re an incredible team,” Gators senior defender Evan Carlson said. “We played as hard as we could, but it just wasn’t meant for us. They were the better team. No one scored on them all postseason. That’s incredible.”
Benet got all the scoring it needed after a corner kick from T.J. McVey went into a crowd of a half-dozen players. In the ensuing battle for the 50/50 ball, it bounded straight out of the penalty area where junior Sam Hepburn was waiting. He cracked his long one-timer through bodies for his eighth goal of the season with 24:03 remaining in the half.
“It’s amazing,” Hepburn said. “I just knew if I got contact with it, and it was good contact, all I had to do was make sure I got it through. I can’t even describe it right now. It feels very special what we do.”
Benet coach Sean Wesley, who coached the Redwings to a third place finish in 2016, called it a class goal.
“Sam did his job and kept it on frame, and he knew he had to let it go fast with everybody running out at him,” he said. “He has that quality. He’s a special kid, a special player, and I’m happy he was the one who broke the ice.”
The Redwings scored first in every game this season except for, of course, their scoreless tie against West Chicago.
“You have to give credit where credit is due, and this Benet team is really special,” Gators senior defender Danny Ciezadlo said. “They truly deserved the championship. They’re so good all-around.”
Down 1-0, the chore of beating Benet suddenly became exceedingly more difficult than it already was for the Gators. They were only able to muster five shots in the game. At the same time, Crystal Lake South proved strong defensively and limited Benet’s chances to eight.
“We came into the game very confident,” Gators senior Alex Canfield said. “We felt we could win this game if we could shut down this incredible team and after the first goal we could’ve hung our heads low and taken a loss at the beginning of the game, but we decided to keep on going. We kept our heads high and fought to find chances.”
Gators coach Brian Allen concurred, although he was more hopeful for a scoreless game at the break since the Redwings had the advantage of playing with the wind at their backs during the first half.
“It wasn’t the ideal start, but I liked our resolve,” he said. “We had a couple close calls where I thought we might break their scoreless streak and where the momentum would switch, and they’d be in uncharted waters. So it was definitely not ideal but keeping it at 1-0 at least gave us a chance to squeak one in. But obviously they’re a great program with an amazing defense. They’re very deserving champions.”
Many believed the Redwings biggest challenge in the postseason would be getting past Notre Dame (Peoria) in the supersectional. And that game was a tough one; they shut the Irish down and kept standouts Noah Madrigal and Myles Sophanayong from beating them.
However Canfield, with 34 goals and 18 assists this season, posed as difficult of a threat as Benet has seen this season.
The Redwings stopped the Gators by limiting Canfield’s touches. They gameplanned him a steady diet of junior defenders Zach Serafin and Anthony Klos hovering over him and watching him like a redwinged hawk.
“It’s astonishing to not give up a goal in the whole run and to play strikers of that quality,” Wesley said. “I thought Anthony (Klos) and Zach (Serafin) were unbelievable in back; Tom (Miskin) was very good. And we subbed at the right back and never missed a beat, and Vyto (Staniskis) made one or two saves which we needed in big moments.”
The Redwings had the opportunity to come off with a cocky tone after the season they had, but the players possessed maturity and knew that past successes don’t guarantee a single thing. They recognized that they didn’t see players of Canfield’s skill level often, if ever, and made sure they were prepared to do whatever it took to try to eliminate him from using his skills to hurt them like he has so many other teams during his tenure donning a Gators kit.
“Anthony Klos was pressuring, and I was always covering,” Serafin said. “We always talk about pressure, cover and balance, but we also have great communication, and we made sure if he got behind there would be two people on him, marking him.”
Said Serafin, “Our goal is to always come in with confidence, but not cocky. We’ve just had to find that right balance between that and we’ve been doing it for every game, and it has continued to work out.”
Benet’s big 6-foot-3 keeper, Vytautas (Vyto) Staniskis wasn’t sitting in a rocking chair in the net just watching his team clean things up in front of him. He was tested several times and answered the call.
He battled Canfield for possession in the box with just under 15 minutes left in the first half and had to be ready for a potential shot when Canfield fought for the ball with Serafin with four minutes left in the half, which drew a yellow card on Canfield.
He needed all his 75 inches to leap to defend a 70-yard free kick bomb from Jake Bimbi that was destined to break the shutout 10 minutes into the second half.
“We got to the point in the game that we had to get something to go. In practice we work on deep balls, and we like to overload and everyone goes back post,” Bimbi said. “We were hoping Alex (Canfield) or Ty (Getzinger) could get a header on it but I accidentally put it a little too far to the right so it ended up going on frame and (Staniskis) tipped it across. So we got a corner kick but nothing from it, but at that point we had to try something.”
Staniskis also made a leaping save on a Brandon Osterberg attempt just minutes before Hans Haenicke gave the Redwings some insurance.
“Our amazing defense – so much credit goes to them,” Staniskis said. “We moved Anthony (Klos) back at the beginning of the season and that was probably one of the best moves we made all year. Anthony played center mid the first couple of games and him and Zach (Serafin) are juniors who work so well together, pressure and cover, and rarely allow anything to go back and when they did I was there. A ton of credit goes to them.”
Canfield had to feel like there were more than 11 Benet players on the field at times. They were swarming all around him like bees on open cola cans during a September picnic. And it didn't just happen when he had the ball, the effort was there equally to simply deny him possession in recognition of how dangerous he can be with the ball at his feet.
"They are just a well-rounded team," Canfield said. "They are all over the pitch on their defense, their attack and midfield. They're incredible. They definitely deserved to win the state championship."
Klos explained that defenders aren’t going to put up eye-popping statistics, but that’s arguable. The aforementioned defensive numbers are beyond amazing. Nonetheless, it’s not about the recognition for what those guys are doing, but the fact that it helped them shut down some of the state’s top offensive players en route to a state title.
“I took a lot of pride of being on (Canfield’s) back all the time and following him around,” Klos said. “As a whole our backline has been amazing all year, and it’s obviously not just me. I have wonderful teammates in back.”
Klos is also a heck of a hockey player, and he certainly has brought some of his skills from the ice to the pitch.
“Anthony (Klos) is a fantastic hockey player, and I think his mentality bleeds through the rest of the team,” Wesley said. “He shared the attitude that we knew this is going to be hard, but we’re going to do well and defend like crazy and take it a little bit personal no matter who we play. I think that rubs off him. With Zack (Serafin) they are quite the pairing as juniors to not allow goal the whole playoff run. That’s pretty fantastic, and it wasn’t just tonight. They’ve been pretty special all season.”
Klos and Serafin are close on the field and off of it and that friendship has continued to blossom as they both share the desire to shut opponents down.
“Zach’s one of my best friends in and out of school so that really helps,” Klos said. “We’re great friends, and we communicate really well even if Zach is a little quieter. And it’s a whole team effort. Even our midfielders do a great job of getting back and the wings and forwards are there if we need them. It’s huge. We all work as a unit. It’s the whole puzzle.”
The duo won the trust of senior Nick Renfo, an all-state selection and the ESCC Player of the Year, and the lone starter remaining from the 2016 third place team.
“We have great faith in our defense, and Anthony (Klos) and Zach (Serafin) are honestly the best duo in the state,” Renfro said. “I wouldn’t want anyone else behind me. I don’t trust anyone more and with them and the rest of the guys in back I knew we’d come out on top if we played like we have all season.”
Since day one the Redwings have strived to not give up goals. At times they’re not content unless they’re not even allowing shots.
“We take a lot of pride into it,” Klos said. “Every game we make sure that our goal is to not give up a single goal. Even early on in the season we didn’t want to even give up shots, and once we get a goal to go our way our confidence just skyrockets. Once we get that one (goal) we feel like there’s not anyone out there who can stop us.”
While the Gators didn’t have any luck netting the equalizer, they were able to remain within striking distance until late in the game. Down by just one for such a lengthy time, all it takes is a foul in the box, a misplay or a bad bounce and Benet’s suddenly wondering what happened while trying to come to terms that they finally surrendered a goal in the postseason. Unfortunately for the Gators, that equalizer never materialized.
“That’s a credit to Sean (Wesley) and their team,” Allen said. “We kept the ball very nicely, and I’ve seen it before that (a team) gets a lead and they sag. But they took an approach where they continued to go at us and had us on our heels a bit. We kept pushing and working hard so I’ve got to credit my guys for playing the full 80 (minutes).”
The Gators had hoped to score against the flow of play, but the Redwings simply would not allow it.
“We were looking to counter like we have all year, but it was so hard to get anything going,” Allen said. “They are so stout defensively and to get some momentum, even when we did, we couldn’t sustain it for long periods of time.”
McVey located Hans Haenicke with 8:49 left in the game for an insurance goal as the junior forward punched it in to make it 2-0. With assists on both goals McVey was named Chicagoland Soccer’s Man of the Match.
“That sealed the deal a little bit,” Haenicke said. “It was a little shaky when it was just 1-0 so we were getting a little bit worried, so getting that second one kind of put off the edge a little bit.”
Said the Gators Ciezadlo, “We tried to keep battling, but when they got that second one our hope finally started to fade.”
Leading 2-0 late, it was just a matter of holding on while the final minutes ran off the scoreboard before it was official: Benet is the 2019 Class AA boys state champions, matching the effort of the girls program which won a state title in the spring.
“This was really a dream we all had,” Serafin said. “We all had the same goal and worked together. This is a great moment, a great team and a great group of guys. I don’t think one person could be exchanged from this team, and we could’ve still done this. Every single person gave their heart on this team.”
It’s definitely been a dreamlike season.
“It’s been surreal this year,” Klos said. “It’s been so much fun and we have such an amazing group of guys which has led us to this success. Everyday we’ve been excited to train, to see each other and hang out. But we also go hard, and that’s why we’ve been so successful.”
From Day 1, Wesley knew he had the kind of kids who would make the Redwings one of the favorites at Class AA. Benet graduated Franklin Rutkowski (10 goals, 6 assists) from last year’s 17-4-1 team; that squad won a regional before losing in a sectional title game to Lake Park, which ultimately took fourth in the state.
“We knew we had a good group in the preseason and winning was the goal,” Wesley said. “But we also knew that it’s super tough to get here and a super-long season. We played really good competition, but we didn’t know how that would all play out.”
Crystal Lake South’s two-year magical run probably surprised some who didn’t believe the Gators could get back to Hoffman Estates with only two starters returning from last year’s state champion team and losing 12 seniors who made such an impact on and off the field.
But the Gators did it.
“It’s a testament to the guys believing in themselves and believing in the process and the culture of the program steadily growing,” Allen said. “I think at the starting point this year the bar was lower in terms soccer-wise, so this growth in this journey was astronomical. We have a lot to be proud of, and it’ll serve them well outside of soccer, because when you work hard you can obtain some stuff that’s unthinkable.”
Ciezadlo said the Gators were able to use the so-called “one-hit wonder” moniker that some may have lumped them into as motivation since last year was the team’s only state appearance. If that helps, why not, right?
“One of the first things coach Allen said was pressure is a privilege,” he said. “That really helped us. I think most everyone was thinking we weren’t going to make it far because we only had two returning starters. I think we held that as a grudge in every game to outwork teams. We felt if we outworked teams we’d get the result that we wanted.”
Before the Gators had played a game this season, Allen said that finding new roles, stepping up to new opportunities and maximizing potential from players giving their best effort is all that a coach can really ask for from his team. Without a doubt, the Gators needed the top effort of its entire roster to step up, especially top seniors Canfield and defender Evan Carlson.
“Alex and Even are self explanatory, but Danny (Cizeadlo) and Jake (Bimbi) are two outside backs that last year were reserves, but not only reserves but reserves in our midfield,” Allen said. “So when we lost two outside backs we talked in the summer about what do you guys feel about stepping into the backline and locking down a little bit as senior leaders. As they gained more and more experience, they got more comfortable and did phenomenal stuff for us.”
Bimbi said the past two years have been a connected run of greatness, but also have been independent of each other. This season basically got started early and expanded from there.
“For me this all started all the way back at summer camp and kind of continued to grow,” he said. “We were really focused on the smaller details and getting all the little things right up to the state finals. We knew once we got here that we were at our best and wanted to pick up here right where we left off even with the underclassmen. They knew they were part of something special here.”
When Carlson went down early in the season with a concussion, the Gators were forced to play without one of their only leading returnees, but such adversity didn’t halt their path toward Hoffman Estates.
“We had to fill in our backline so we were not varsity-tested,” Bimbi said. “But we went something like 7-2-2 at the start and realized that once Evan (Carlson) came back we’d be even better.”
Weidner said the Gators were taking it game by game early on while learning new roles and forming a team identity, but really didn’t recognize how good they could be until they opened the PepsiCo with a 2-1 loss to Class 3A runnerup Morton.
“They stopped two PKs and we still only lost 2-1 to them,” he said. “After that we knew it was all business, because we knew we could do anything. Last year we saw the seniors work, and they took it game by game and tried to grow and get better each day so we tried to continue doing that. It helped us win a state tile last year so we knew we’d have to grow even more since we only had a few seniors returning and some underclassmen.”
Ciezadlo said his role last season was primarily to fill the emotional tanks of his teammates and to keep the team united. Some kids might sulk about such responsibilities, but he didn’t, taking the approach that it takes everyone to do their job for the team to achieve success.
“I didn’t play much last year, but watching the seniors play helped me personally grow,” he said. “This year I played in every game and started every game. I learned so much from last year just by watching our style of play. Everything I did last year was helpful to me for this year.”
Bimbi joined Ciezadlo as part what he called “the bench mob” last year.
“I was third on the depth chart last year so I didn’t play much but my job was to get everyone ready during practice and as part of the bench mob in getting everyone ready,” Bimbi said. “So I’d give it my all on the bench and when I’d get in for five or 10 minutes I’d keep the energy going and give it my all. This year I’ve had a different role but still tried to do my best, and with everybody’s support they helped me find what I was best at. That’s really been powerful and helped me a lot.”
Senior goalkeeper Carson Hill played JV last year but was more than dependable as the Gators last line of defense.
“Looking back, I don’t think he played goalkeeper as a freshman but he was moved to goalkeeper as a sophomore because of his size (6-4), and we figured we could turn him into something,” Allen said. “The season he had and in the semis, that was another big thing. What he did for us was consistency.”
Senior Garett Schneider was able to overcome a meniscus injury that knocked him out of the postseason a year ago to contribute a valuable 20 minutes per half this season while fellow seniors Weidner and Sabien Raymond contributions seemingly went under the radar, but were not overlooked by Allen and their teammates.
“Colton (Weidner) and Sabien (Raymond) are two of our unheralded senior leaders because they’re good enough to start for us, but we used them as reserves as a way to change the pace of the game. When they come off the bench some seniors might be a little bummed or might say it’s an insult, but those two embraced that role and that’s why we had a decent amount of come-from-behind games where we’d fall behind 1-0 and were able to dig out of it.”
This was one they weren’t able to dig out of, but the Gators have a lot to appreciate these past two years and will celebrate it for a while before looking ahead to 2020. They’ll lose nine seniors, including Canfield.
“We’re going to enjoy this one,” Allen said. “We’re disappointed that there wasn’t the fairytale ending, but this has been extremely special. We’ll let this soak in and celebrate for the rest of the calendar year. Once that turns over into spring we’ll begin looking ahead, but for now, we’re going to take the next few months to enjoy this.”
Canfield said he’ll enjoy the experience he’s had in a Crystal Lake South uniform forever. There have been countless memorable games and only he and his teammates, their families an the coaches know about the away-from-the-spotlight unforgettable moments during practices, team-bonding sessions, parties and other times together.
"High school soccer has been some of the best moments in my life," he said. "I've made so many close friends. I wouldn't even call them my friends; they're my brothers. It's a great group of guys to play with, and we made so many great memories."
The most successful programs have to get their start somewhere. After going 9-12-3 in 2013, the Gators have enjoyed six-consecutive winning seasons. They’re on the map in the state now. The Gators are a team to be reckoned with.
“It’ll be a testament to what we’ve done if more kids want to play soccer here now,” Carlson said. “The program has been amazing for me. Everyone is just great to each other mentoring the other I guys. I think it’s helped us shape the program into what is today which is very cool.”
While the players believe dying their hair blonde as part of team unity was cool. Allen agreed to die his hair if the Gators won on Friday night to advance to the championship game. He obliged while assistant coach Steve Connell elected to get a Mohawk instead.
“It’s been all about team camaraderie and coming together as a team and going out to win,” Weidner said. “Props to our coaches for having a game plan and having our backs all the way through. During the tough times we stayed the course and stuck to the game plan, and we wore teams down by being relentless for the full 80 minutes. We tried our hardest again but just fell short of the ultimate goal.”
Starting lineups
Benet
GK Vyto Staniskis
D Anthony Klos
D Tom Miskin
D Conor Perkins
D Zach Serafin
MF Sam Hepburn
MF Nick Renfo
MF Nick Augustyn
F Hans Haenicke
F Chris Mankowski
F T.J. McVey
Crystal Lake South
GK Carson Hill
D Jake Bimbi
D Evan Carlson
D Danny Ciezadlo
D Tomasz Slawek
MF Tom Coughlin
MF Michal Dejworek
MF Tyler Getzinger
MF Brandon Osterberg
MF Garett Schneider
F Alex Canfield
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: T.J. McVey, so., F, Benet
Scoring summary
Benet 2, Crystal Lake South 0
Benet – 1 1 – 2
CLS – 0 0 - 0
First half
Benet – Sam Hepburn (TJ McVey) 24:04
Second half
Benet – Hans Haenicke (McVey) 8:49
Redwings record 21st shutout of the season in dynamic 2-0 win
By Chris Walker
HOFFMAN ESTATES – Just 50 seconds into the Class AA state championship game, Benet junior Chris Mankowski got on the other end of a T.J. McVey cross, but his header found the post right in front of him, caroming out of harm’s way and allowing Crystal Lake South to breathe a huge sigh of relief.
The Gators were fortunate to avoid going into a 1-nil hole that early, but they wouldn’t have a scoring opportunity nearly as dangerous as Mankowski’s over the next 79 minutes as the Redwings continued their amazing defensive run and won their first state title in 18 years with a 2-0 victory.
The win was Benet’s 21st shutout of the season.
According to the IHSA record book, Granite City South has the record of 23 shutouts in 1982, but they played 32 games (72 percent of wins via shutout). There are four teams who had 22. Naperville North, in its third-consecutive Class 3A title season last year, is the most impressive of that quartet with 22 shutouts of 26 teams (85 percent. The other teams in that group played 29 or 30 games (73 to 76 percent).
Benet shut out 21 of 24 teams (88 percent). So from a percentage standpoint, the Redwings would rank as the stingiest team in state history.
The prized small list of players who scored this season against Benet are:
1. Ty Konrad, Naperville North, Sept. 7 (Benet's only loss of the season, a 2-1 decision in Best of the West tournament pool play)
2. Zach Smith, Naperville North, Sept. 7
3. Ryan Crawley (PK), Carmel, Oct. 5 (3-1 Benet East Suburban Catholic Conference win)
4. Ivan Guerrero, St. Patrick, Oct. 15 (a 1-1 tie vs. the fourth place Class 3A finisher in the game ESCC play)
Shutout victims included, but were not limited to Class 3A regional champs: Geneva, Naperville Central, Oswego; Class AA regional champs: Sycamore and Lemont; Class AA sectional champion Notre Dame (Peoria) and Class 3A state champion West Chicago, who the Redwings battled to a scoreless draw on Oct. 3.
In 2016, the last year the Redwings qualified for state, they gave up more goals (6) through their first four games then they did this year, yielding 22 for the season.
That’s quite the resume.
“We knew going into the game that they were one of the top-ranked teams in the nation and were going to be hard to beat,” Gators senior Colton Weidner said. “Props to them. They had some defensive stops that were crucial, and they got a couple of goals. They played well and possessed. We tried to counter and get a goal, but we couldn’t find the net.”
Crystal Lake South’s effort was phenomenal, as it has consistantly been in every game it has played the past two years, but the Gators simply ran into a team of destiny that’s greedier than the Grinch when it comes to giving up goals.
“They’re an incredible team,” Gators senior defender Evan Carlson said. “We played as hard as we could, but it just wasn’t meant for us. They were the better team. No one scored on them all postseason. That’s incredible.”
Benet got all the scoring it needed after a corner kick from T.J. McVey went into a crowd of a half-dozen players. In the ensuing battle for the 50/50 ball, it bounded straight out of the penalty area where junior Sam Hepburn was waiting. He cracked his long one-timer through bodies for his eighth goal of the season with 24:03 remaining in the half.
“It’s amazing,” Hepburn said. “I just knew if I got contact with it, and it was good contact, all I had to do was make sure I got it through. I can’t even describe it right now. It feels very special what we do.”
Benet coach Sean Wesley, who coached the Redwings to a third place finish in 2016, called it a class goal.
“Sam did his job and kept it on frame, and he knew he had to let it go fast with everybody running out at him,” he said. “He has that quality. He’s a special kid, a special player, and I’m happy he was the one who broke the ice.”
The Redwings scored first in every game this season except for, of course, their scoreless tie against West Chicago.
“You have to give credit where credit is due, and this Benet team is really special,” Gators senior defender Danny Ciezadlo said. “They truly deserved the championship. They’re so good all-around.”
Down 1-0, the chore of beating Benet suddenly became exceedingly more difficult than it already was for the Gators. They were only able to muster five shots in the game. At the same time, Crystal Lake South proved strong defensively and limited Benet’s chances to eight.
“We came into the game very confident,” Gators senior Alex Canfield said. “We felt we could win this game if we could shut down this incredible team and after the first goal we could’ve hung our heads low and taken a loss at the beginning of the game, but we decided to keep on going. We kept our heads high and fought to find chances.”
Gators coach Brian Allen concurred, although he was more hopeful for a scoreless game at the break since the Redwings had the advantage of playing with the wind at their backs during the first half.
“It wasn’t the ideal start, but I liked our resolve,” he said. “We had a couple close calls where I thought we might break their scoreless streak and where the momentum would switch, and they’d be in uncharted waters. So it was definitely not ideal but keeping it at 1-0 at least gave us a chance to squeak one in. But obviously they’re a great program with an amazing defense. They’re very deserving champions.”
Many believed the Redwings biggest challenge in the postseason would be getting past Notre Dame (Peoria) in the supersectional. And that game was a tough one; they shut the Irish down and kept standouts Noah Madrigal and Myles Sophanayong from beating them.
However Canfield, with 34 goals and 18 assists this season, posed as difficult of a threat as Benet has seen this season.
The Redwings stopped the Gators by limiting Canfield’s touches. They gameplanned him a steady diet of junior defenders Zach Serafin and Anthony Klos hovering over him and watching him like a redwinged hawk.
“It’s astonishing to not give up a goal in the whole run and to play strikers of that quality,” Wesley said. “I thought Anthony (Klos) and Zach (Serafin) were unbelievable in back; Tom (Miskin) was very good. And we subbed at the right back and never missed a beat, and Vyto (Staniskis) made one or two saves which we needed in big moments.”
The Redwings had the opportunity to come off with a cocky tone after the season they had, but the players possessed maturity and knew that past successes don’t guarantee a single thing. They recognized that they didn’t see players of Canfield’s skill level often, if ever, and made sure they were prepared to do whatever it took to try to eliminate him from using his skills to hurt them like he has so many other teams during his tenure donning a Gators kit.
“Anthony Klos was pressuring, and I was always covering,” Serafin said. “We always talk about pressure, cover and balance, but we also have great communication, and we made sure if he got behind there would be two people on him, marking him.”
Said Serafin, “Our goal is to always come in with confidence, but not cocky. We’ve just had to find that right balance between that and we’ve been doing it for every game, and it has continued to work out.”
Benet’s big 6-foot-3 keeper, Vytautas (Vyto) Staniskis wasn’t sitting in a rocking chair in the net just watching his team clean things up in front of him. He was tested several times and answered the call.
He battled Canfield for possession in the box with just under 15 minutes left in the first half and had to be ready for a potential shot when Canfield fought for the ball with Serafin with four minutes left in the half, which drew a yellow card on Canfield.
He needed all his 75 inches to leap to defend a 70-yard free kick bomb from Jake Bimbi that was destined to break the shutout 10 minutes into the second half.
“We got to the point in the game that we had to get something to go. In practice we work on deep balls, and we like to overload and everyone goes back post,” Bimbi said. “We were hoping Alex (Canfield) or Ty (Getzinger) could get a header on it but I accidentally put it a little too far to the right so it ended up going on frame and (Staniskis) tipped it across. So we got a corner kick but nothing from it, but at that point we had to try something.”
Staniskis also made a leaping save on a Brandon Osterberg attempt just minutes before Hans Haenicke gave the Redwings some insurance.
“Our amazing defense – so much credit goes to them,” Staniskis said. “We moved Anthony (Klos) back at the beginning of the season and that was probably one of the best moves we made all year. Anthony played center mid the first couple of games and him and Zach (Serafin) are juniors who work so well together, pressure and cover, and rarely allow anything to go back and when they did I was there. A ton of credit goes to them.”
Canfield had to feel like there were more than 11 Benet players on the field at times. They were swarming all around him like bees on open cola cans during a September picnic. And it didn't just happen when he had the ball, the effort was there equally to simply deny him possession in recognition of how dangerous he can be with the ball at his feet.
"They are just a well-rounded team," Canfield said. "They are all over the pitch on their defense, their attack and midfield. They're incredible. They definitely deserved to win the state championship."
Klos explained that defenders aren’t going to put up eye-popping statistics, but that’s arguable. The aforementioned defensive numbers are beyond amazing. Nonetheless, it’s not about the recognition for what those guys are doing, but the fact that it helped them shut down some of the state’s top offensive players en route to a state title.
“I took a lot of pride of being on (Canfield’s) back all the time and following him around,” Klos said. “As a whole our backline has been amazing all year, and it’s obviously not just me. I have wonderful teammates in back.”
Klos is also a heck of a hockey player, and he certainly has brought some of his skills from the ice to the pitch.
“Anthony (Klos) is a fantastic hockey player, and I think his mentality bleeds through the rest of the team,” Wesley said. “He shared the attitude that we knew this is going to be hard, but we’re going to do well and defend like crazy and take it a little bit personal no matter who we play. I think that rubs off him. With Zack (Serafin) they are quite the pairing as juniors to not allow goal the whole playoff run. That’s pretty fantastic, and it wasn’t just tonight. They’ve been pretty special all season.”
Klos and Serafin are close on the field and off of it and that friendship has continued to blossom as they both share the desire to shut opponents down.
“Zach’s one of my best friends in and out of school so that really helps,” Klos said. “We’re great friends, and we communicate really well even if Zach is a little quieter. And it’s a whole team effort. Even our midfielders do a great job of getting back and the wings and forwards are there if we need them. It’s huge. We all work as a unit. It’s the whole puzzle.”
The duo won the trust of senior Nick Renfo, an all-state selection and the ESCC Player of the Year, and the lone starter remaining from the 2016 third place team.
“We have great faith in our defense, and Anthony (Klos) and Zach (Serafin) are honestly the best duo in the state,” Renfro said. “I wouldn’t want anyone else behind me. I don’t trust anyone more and with them and the rest of the guys in back I knew we’d come out on top if we played like we have all season.”
Since day one the Redwings have strived to not give up goals. At times they’re not content unless they’re not even allowing shots.
“We take a lot of pride into it,” Klos said. “Every game we make sure that our goal is to not give up a single goal. Even early on in the season we didn’t want to even give up shots, and once we get a goal to go our way our confidence just skyrockets. Once we get that one (goal) we feel like there’s not anyone out there who can stop us.”
While the Gators didn’t have any luck netting the equalizer, they were able to remain within striking distance until late in the game. Down by just one for such a lengthy time, all it takes is a foul in the box, a misplay or a bad bounce and Benet’s suddenly wondering what happened while trying to come to terms that they finally surrendered a goal in the postseason. Unfortunately for the Gators, that equalizer never materialized.
“That’s a credit to Sean (Wesley) and their team,” Allen said. “We kept the ball very nicely, and I’ve seen it before that (a team) gets a lead and they sag. But they took an approach where they continued to go at us and had us on our heels a bit. We kept pushing and working hard so I’ve got to credit my guys for playing the full 80 (minutes).”
The Gators had hoped to score against the flow of play, but the Redwings simply would not allow it.
“We were looking to counter like we have all year, but it was so hard to get anything going,” Allen said. “They are so stout defensively and to get some momentum, even when we did, we couldn’t sustain it for long periods of time.”
McVey located Hans Haenicke with 8:49 left in the game for an insurance goal as the junior forward punched it in to make it 2-0. With assists on both goals McVey was named Chicagoland Soccer’s Man of the Match.
“That sealed the deal a little bit,” Haenicke said. “It was a little shaky when it was just 1-0 so we were getting a little bit worried, so getting that second one kind of put off the edge a little bit.”
Said the Gators Ciezadlo, “We tried to keep battling, but when they got that second one our hope finally started to fade.”
Leading 2-0 late, it was just a matter of holding on while the final minutes ran off the scoreboard before it was official: Benet is the 2019 Class AA boys state champions, matching the effort of the girls program which won a state title in the spring.
“This was really a dream we all had,” Serafin said. “We all had the same goal and worked together. This is a great moment, a great team and a great group of guys. I don’t think one person could be exchanged from this team, and we could’ve still done this. Every single person gave their heart on this team.”
It’s definitely been a dreamlike season.
“It’s been surreal this year,” Klos said. “It’s been so much fun and we have such an amazing group of guys which has led us to this success. Everyday we’ve been excited to train, to see each other and hang out. But we also go hard, and that’s why we’ve been so successful.”
From Day 1, Wesley knew he had the kind of kids who would make the Redwings one of the favorites at Class AA. Benet graduated Franklin Rutkowski (10 goals, 6 assists) from last year’s 17-4-1 team; that squad won a regional before losing in a sectional title game to Lake Park, which ultimately took fourth in the state.
“We knew we had a good group in the preseason and winning was the goal,” Wesley said. “But we also knew that it’s super tough to get here and a super-long season. We played really good competition, but we didn’t know how that would all play out.”
Crystal Lake South’s two-year magical run probably surprised some who didn’t believe the Gators could get back to Hoffman Estates with only two starters returning from last year’s state champion team and losing 12 seniors who made such an impact on and off the field.
But the Gators did it.
“It’s a testament to the guys believing in themselves and believing in the process and the culture of the program steadily growing,” Allen said. “I think at the starting point this year the bar was lower in terms soccer-wise, so this growth in this journey was astronomical. We have a lot to be proud of, and it’ll serve them well outside of soccer, because when you work hard you can obtain some stuff that’s unthinkable.”
Ciezadlo said the Gators were able to use the so-called “one-hit wonder” moniker that some may have lumped them into as motivation since last year was the team’s only state appearance. If that helps, why not, right?
“One of the first things coach Allen said was pressure is a privilege,” he said. “That really helped us. I think most everyone was thinking we weren’t going to make it far because we only had two returning starters. I think we held that as a grudge in every game to outwork teams. We felt if we outworked teams we’d get the result that we wanted.”
Before the Gators had played a game this season, Allen said that finding new roles, stepping up to new opportunities and maximizing potential from players giving their best effort is all that a coach can really ask for from his team. Without a doubt, the Gators needed the top effort of its entire roster to step up, especially top seniors Canfield and defender Evan Carlson.
“Alex and Even are self explanatory, but Danny (Cizeadlo) and Jake (Bimbi) are two outside backs that last year were reserves, but not only reserves but reserves in our midfield,” Allen said. “So when we lost two outside backs we talked in the summer about what do you guys feel about stepping into the backline and locking down a little bit as senior leaders. As they gained more and more experience, they got more comfortable and did phenomenal stuff for us.”
Bimbi said the past two years have been a connected run of greatness, but also have been independent of each other. This season basically got started early and expanded from there.
“For me this all started all the way back at summer camp and kind of continued to grow,” he said. “We were really focused on the smaller details and getting all the little things right up to the state finals. We knew once we got here that we were at our best and wanted to pick up here right where we left off even with the underclassmen. They knew they were part of something special here.”
When Carlson went down early in the season with a concussion, the Gators were forced to play without one of their only leading returnees, but such adversity didn’t halt their path toward Hoffman Estates.
“We had to fill in our backline so we were not varsity-tested,” Bimbi said. “But we went something like 7-2-2 at the start and realized that once Evan (Carlson) came back we’d be even better.”
Weidner said the Gators were taking it game by game early on while learning new roles and forming a team identity, but really didn’t recognize how good they could be until they opened the PepsiCo with a 2-1 loss to Class 3A runnerup Morton.
“They stopped two PKs and we still only lost 2-1 to them,” he said. “After that we knew it was all business, because we knew we could do anything. Last year we saw the seniors work, and they took it game by game and tried to grow and get better each day so we tried to continue doing that. It helped us win a state tile last year so we knew we’d have to grow even more since we only had a few seniors returning and some underclassmen.”
Ciezadlo said his role last season was primarily to fill the emotional tanks of his teammates and to keep the team united. Some kids might sulk about such responsibilities, but he didn’t, taking the approach that it takes everyone to do their job for the team to achieve success.
“I didn’t play much last year, but watching the seniors play helped me personally grow,” he said. “This year I played in every game and started every game. I learned so much from last year just by watching our style of play. Everything I did last year was helpful to me for this year.”
Bimbi joined Ciezadlo as part what he called “the bench mob” last year.
“I was third on the depth chart last year so I didn’t play much but my job was to get everyone ready during practice and as part of the bench mob in getting everyone ready,” Bimbi said. “So I’d give it my all on the bench and when I’d get in for five or 10 minutes I’d keep the energy going and give it my all. This year I’ve had a different role but still tried to do my best, and with everybody’s support they helped me find what I was best at. That’s really been powerful and helped me a lot.”
Senior goalkeeper Carson Hill played JV last year but was more than dependable as the Gators last line of defense.
“Looking back, I don’t think he played goalkeeper as a freshman but he was moved to goalkeeper as a sophomore because of his size (6-4), and we figured we could turn him into something,” Allen said. “The season he had and in the semis, that was another big thing. What he did for us was consistency.”
Senior Garett Schneider was able to overcome a meniscus injury that knocked him out of the postseason a year ago to contribute a valuable 20 minutes per half this season while fellow seniors Weidner and Sabien Raymond contributions seemingly went under the radar, but were not overlooked by Allen and their teammates.
“Colton (Weidner) and Sabien (Raymond) are two of our unheralded senior leaders because they’re good enough to start for us, but we used them as reserves as a way to change the pace of the game. When they come off the bench some seniors might be a little bummed or might say it’s an insult, but those two embraced that role and that’s why we had a decent amount of come-from-behind games where we’d fall behind 1-0 and were able to dig out of it.”
This was one they weren’t able to dig out of, but the Gators have a lot to appreciate these past two years and will celebrate it for a while before looking ahead to 2020. They’ll lose nine seniors, including Canfield.
“We’re going to enjoy this one,” Allen said. “We’re disappointed that there wasn’t the fairytale ending, but this has been extremely special. We’ll let this soak in and celebrate for the rest of the calendar year. Once that turns over into spring we’ll begin looking ahead, but for now, we’re going to take the next few months to enjoy this.”
Canfield said he’ll enjoy the experience he’s had in a Crystal Lake South uniform forever. There have been countless memorable games and only he and his teammates, their families an the coaches know about the away-from-the-spotlight unforgettable moments during practices, team-bonding sessions, parties and other times together.
"High school soccer has been some of the best moments in my life," he said. "I've made so many close friends. I wouldn't even call them my friends; they're my brothers. It's a great group of guys to play with, and we made so many great memories."
The most successful programs have to get their start somewhere. After going 9-12-3 in 2013, the Gators have enjoyed six-consecutive winning seasons. They’re on the map in the state now. The Gators are a team to be reckoned with.
“It’ll be a testament to what we’ve done if more kids want to play soccer here now,” Carlson said. “The program has been amazing for me. Everyone is just great to each other mentoring the other I guys. I think it’s helped us shape the program into what is today which is very cool.”
While the players believe dying their hair blonde as part of team unity was cool. Allen agreed to die his hair if the Gators won on Friday night to advance to the championship game. He obliged while assistant coach Steve Connell elected to get a Mohawk instead.
“It’s been all about team camaraderie and coming together as a team and going out to win,” Weidner said. “Props to our coaches for having a game plan and having our backs all the way through. During the tough times we stayed the course and stuck to the game plan, and we wore teams down by being relentless for the full 80 minutes. We tried our hardest again but just fell short of the ultimate goal.”
Starting lineups
Benet
GK Vyto Staniskis
D Anthony Klos
D Tom Miskin
D Conor Perkins
D Zach Serafin
MF Sam Hepburn
MF Nick Renfo
MF Nick Augustyn
F Hans Haenicke
F Chris Mankowski
F T.J. McVey
Crystal Lake South
GK Carson Hill
D Jake Bimbi
D Evan Carlson
D Danny Ciezadlo
D Tomasz Slawek
MF Tom Coughlin
MF Michal Dejworek
MF Tyler Getzinger
MF Brandon Osterberg
MF Garett Schneider
F Alex Canfield
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: T.J. McVey, so., F, Benet
Scoring summary
Benet 2, Crystal Lake South 0
Benet – 1 1 – 2
CLS – 0 0 - 0
First half
Benet – Sam Hepburn (TJ McVey) 24:04
Second half
Benet – Hans Haenicke (McVey) 8:49