Cibulka OT goal lifts Benet over Wauconda
94th-minute strike delivers Redwings 1st state crown
By Mike Garofola
NAPERVILLE -- This has been a season without limits for Benet, so when the Redwings saw their ultimate goal slipping away with less than two minutes left in regulation, they made something happen. Then they endured a weather delay and two overtimes before finding limitless joy.
After play resumed, Jaimee Cibulka claimed hero status at the 94-minute mark and Benet claimed its first state championship Saturday afternoon at North Central College.
The effervescent, and skillful sophomore, who, along with her teammates dominated the second half and extra sessions, bagged the game-winner against Wauconda and sent the Benet faithful into orbit.
Benet will likely now find itself on signs that proclaim "2019 Class AA state soccer champions."
Mary Kate Hansen gave the Redwings extra time after her remarkable equalizer with 1:46 remaining in regulation between two first-time Final Four programs.
"Knowing this team, and how it's a bunch of girls who never know the meaning of giving up, we were kind of in a bad spot near the end of regulation, weren't we?," asked an exhausted Hansen.
Hansen made the slow walk up the ramp from the stadium floor with her injured quad wrapped in ice. After granting several interviews and finishing the obligatory photos for IHSA posterity, she met hundreds of well wishers after an intense 100 minutes of soccer that ended in pure bliss.
The Redwings co-captain, along with teammate Abby Casmere, figured that with the play tilted heavily in their favor for so long that something good would happen.
"We came here this weekend for a reason, and we all worked too hard to get into this final," Casmere said. "So time was running out, but for me, when I saw there were just two minutes remaining, there was still time for something great to happen."
Indeed.
Hansen, who will play at the University of Chicago next fall, took the state title away from Wauconda with one brilliant effort, finishing from 18 yards off a Kate Flynn helper to end a relentless attempt to get back even after chasing the lead for nearly an hour. Abigail McHugh's steered in the opener for Wauconda at 17 minutes.
"Sure, it's tough to get that close to winning the first state title at our school," said McHugh, who is off to play in the fall at Northern Illinois. "But this was a game between two great teams, both of whom wanted it so bad (and) played that way.
"Into overtime, you look to put one in, and if not, it's 50-50 if you go to kicks. But I am so proud of my teammates, our coaches, and the effort we put out all afternoon. And to be honest, for me personally, it's a great way to finish up my last year here at Wauconda."
If there was any stage fright to be observed by both clubs here in their first final, it wasn't apparent on this steamy early afternoon. Wauconda (19-3-2) came to the final fresh off its well-played semifinal victory over Joilet Catholic on Friday.
"I was thrilled with the way we came out, we had so much energy and did so many things so well," said Bulldogs manager Beau Shogren, who is an impressive 68-9-6 in his first four years in charge. "And it showed with Abigail's early goal and with the way we pressured (them) and how we defended just a great attacking team like Benet."
With Megan Sinnott and Savannah Johnson providing pace and creativity up-top, and McHugh displaying a strong work rate and fine distribution, the Bulldogs enjoyed most of the play in the first quarter hour.
McHugh was allowed too much acreage when she stepped into a lovely corner whipped into the box from Johnson. Her well-directed header thumped home for the Bulldogs lone goal of the day.
"Obviously, you never want to concede the first goal, especially in the state final," said Benet manager Gerard Oconer. "But we remained composed. There was never any panic playing from behind. We knew the route they would likely take after going ahead, so we were prepared."
Oconer's statement of what to expect from Wauconda should they claim the advantage was echoed by both Cibulka, Flynn and Hansen, who helped the Redwings (24-3-1) counter the tactical approach on the horizon.
"Park the bus," is the term the Benet trio echoed to describe Wauconda's plan to defend its one-goal lead the rest of the way.
"None of us were worried, but at some point, after having 80-85 percent of the possession and creating some good chances, it still comes down to finishing those chances," said Flynn. "So the hope is not to have all that going your way (but still) going home in second place."
Ten minutes before the intermission is when Benet began to take hold of this game. The Redwings kept pressure on until the break. And afterwards, they forced Wauconda to sit deeper and chase more than it wanted to.
Despite it all, the Redwings failed to put anything of quality on frame at Wauconda's Mackenzie Arden. That changed in the second period when the freshman keeper and her backline mates must have felt as if they were in the shooting gallery at the carnival.
"We defended about as well as we could," said Shogren. "But it was hard holding down a team as talented offensively as Benet. Unfortunately for us, we were just a 'tick' off in that second half, and they just never stopped coming at us."
With that said, the understandably buoyant Bulldogs side from the first half began to take on water in the second half. If it wasn't Flynn, Casmere, Mae Tully or Dani Pullen poking holes in the Wauconda side, then it was Hansen, Cibulka, Cami Picha or Mia Tommasone.
Picha and Flynn, in particular caused havoc in the Bulldogs end leading up to Hansens' 78th minute goal.
Picha helped create consecutive corners, Flynn helped Picha have a go on frame as well as Tommasone, whose attempt went over the bar and brought groans from a charged-up, nearly 150-strong Redwings student section dressed smartly in white.
Casmere, on the turn, forced Arden into action at 76 minutes.
"You just keep working and working for that goal thinking it will come but not thinking about what it's like if you don't (score)," said Cibulka.
Hansen made sure of it, however.
"Just a great volley by Mary Kate," said a thrilled Flynn.
"I knew then this game would be ours."
Flynn's bold statement came from knowing how important it was to pry open the Bulldogs stout defensive posture to breathe life into the Benet cause.
"Nobody wanted it to end the way it was growing close to ending, but in soccer you never know," said Oconer. "Having all the play and possession doesn't always mean victory."
Fortunately for Benet, Saturday it did.
As the teams prepared for extra time, the Thor Guard warning sounded and brought about an automatic 30-minute wait for the all-clear, which was extended as the weather pattern changed in and around the area.
Once back on, the Redwings continued playing liked they were at the end of regulation -- all the play could be found in the Wauconda end.
Picha went close, as did Flynn and Casmere in the first overtime. Each side was unable to convert the single corner opportunity each created early into the second extra session.
Six minutes from PKs Cibulka collected a ball slotted to the left from Casmere. With Wauconda's attention fully on the Redwings leading scorer and keeper Arden far off her line before the pass, the Bulldogs goal was open for the taking.
"To be honest, I didn't even think about where to hit the ball or having all the goal to myself," said Cibulka in cool fashion afterwards. "I've had those chances before, and at that point it's all about just putting the ball on frame."
Cibulka drove home the 14th and most important goal of her high school career into the back of the net. Minutes later, she watched Redwings goalkeeper Eva Frantzen read trouble early and provide a strong challenge off the line at 97 minutes that ended a chance from Olivia Kuch.
Wauconda skipper Shogren was proud of his charges.
"I told the girls afterwards this was a proud moment in their lives, the life of the school and the Wauconda soccer program, and that nothing can take away from what they've accomplished this season, which is something they will remember forever," he said.
The Bulldogs will lose five from their varsity roster and return six starters.
New Class AA state champion Benet was joined in its photo session by a couple of gentlemen who have been there since the beginning of time, or so it seems. The first is Henry Wind, who brought the Redwings to this tournament twice in 2003 and 2005, as well as Bob Gros, who followed Wind when he retired in 2016.
"This is a proud moment in Benet girls soccer history," said Wind. "And I so glad and happy to be here today to take it all in and celebrate the success the girls and Gerard enjoyed."
Coach Oconer played his first two years at Benet on the sophomore team lead by Gros in 1994 and 1995. He finished up on Wind's varsity club the following two years.
"It's great having both Henry and Bob on the staff, and have them share in this championship day after giving so many great years to the program," said Oconer.
"This is a special day for all of the girls, and one that will link them together for the rest of their lives."
"For me, I remember being in Cleveland in 2016 to watch the Cubs win the World Series, and how amazing that was.
"Today was so much better than that night, and it's one that I'll never forget."
Starting lineups
Benet (4-5-1)
G- Ava Rogers
D- Kate Flynn
D- Mary Kate Wilhelm
D- Mary Kate Hansen
D- Brooke Pullen
M- Kayla Brannigan
M- Jaimie Cibulka
M- Mia Ullmer
M- Mia Tommasone
M- Cami Picha
F- Abby Casmere
Wauconda (4-4-2)
G- Mackenzie Arden
D- Olivia Kuch
D- Kayla Llewellyn
D- Sarah Rizzo
D- Madelyn Thompson
M- Morgan Lung
M-Rosalie Wisniewski
M- Abigail McHugh
M- Belle Johnson
F- Megan Sinnott
F- Savannah Johnson
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match: Jaimee Cibulka, so., MF, Benet
Mary Kate Hansen, sr., D, Benet
Scoring summary
First half
Wauconda: McHugh (S. Johnson) 17'
Second half
Benet: Hansen (U/A) 78'
First overtime
No scoring
Second overtime
Benet: Cibulka (Casmere), 94'
94th-minute strike delivers Redwings 1st state crown
By Mike Garofola
NAPERVILLE -- This has been a season without limits for Benet, so when the Redwings saw their ultimate goal slipping away with less than two minutes left in regulation, they made something happen. Then they endured a weather delay and two overtimes before finding limitless joy.
After play resumed, Jaimee Cibulka claimed hero status at the 94-minute mark and Benet claimed its first state championship Saturday afternoon at North Central College.
The effervescent, and skillful sophomore, who, along with her teammates dominated the second half and extra sessions, bagged the game-winner against Wauconda and sent the Benet faithful into orbit.
Benet will likely now find itself on signs that proclaim "2019 Class AA state soccer champions."
Mary Kate Hansen gave the Redwings extra time after her remarkable equalizer with 1:46 remaining in regulation between two first-time Final Four programs.
"Knowing this team, and how it's a bunch of girls who never know the meaning of giving up, we were kind of in a bad spot near the end of regulation, weren't we?," asked an exhausted Hansen.
Hansen made the slow walk up the ramp from the stadium floor with her injured quad wrapped in ice. After granting several interviews and finishing the obligatory photos for IHSA posterity, she met hundreds of well wishers after an intense 100 minutes of soccer that ended in pure bliss.
The Redwings co-captain, along with teammate Abby Casmere, figured that with the play tilted heavily in their favor for so long that something good would happen.
"We came here this weekend for a reason, and we all worked too hard to get into this final," Casmere said. "So time was running out, but for me, when I saw there were just two minutes remaining, there was still time for something great to happen."
Indeed.
Hansen, who will play at the University of Chicago next fall, took the state title away from Wauconda with one brilliant effort, finishing from 18 yards off a Kate Flynn helper to end a relentless attempt to get back even after chasing the lead for nearly an hour. Abigail McHugh's steered in the opener for Wauconda at 17 minutes.
"Sure, it's tough to get that close to winning the first state title at our school," said McHugh, who is off to play in the fall at Northern Illinois. "But this was a game between two great teams, both of whom wanted it so bad (and) played that way.
"Into overtime, you look to put one in, and if not, it's 50-50 if you go to kicks. But I am so proud of my teammates, our coaches, and the effort we put out all afternoon. And to be honest, for me personally, it's a great way to finish up my last year here at Wauconda."
If there was any stage fright to be observed by both clubs here in their first final, it wasn't apparent on this steamy early afternoon. Wauconda (19-3-2) came to the final fresh off its well-played semifinal victory over Joilet Catholic on Friday.
"I was thrilled with the way we came out, we had so much energy and did so many things so well," said Bulldogs manager Beau Shogren, who is an impressive 68-9-6 in his first four years in charge. "And it showed with Abigail's early goal and with the way we pressured (them) and how we defended just a great attacking team like Benet."
With Megan Sinnott and Savannah Johnson providing pace and creativity up-top, and McHugh displaying a strong work rate and fine distribution, the Bulldogs enjoyed most of the play in the first quarter hour.
McHugh was allowed too much acreage when she stepped into a lovely corner whipped into the box from Johnson. Her well-directed header thumped home for the Bulldogs lone goal of the day.
"Obviously, you never want to concede the first goal, especially in the state final," said Benet manager Gerard Oconer. "But we remained composed. There was never any panic playing from behind. We knew the route they would likely take after going ahead, so we were prepared."
Oconer's statement of what to expect from Wauconda should they claim the advantage was echoed by both Cibulka, Flynn and Hansen, who helped the Redwings (24-3-1) counter the tactical approach on the horizon.
"Park the bus," is the term the Benet trio echoed to describe Wauconda's plan to defend its one-goal lead the rest of the way.
"None of us were worried, but at some point, after having 80-85 percent of the possession and creating some good chances, it still comes down to finishing those chances," said Flynn. "So the hope is not to have all that going your way (but still) going home in second place."
Ten minutes before the intermission is when Benet began to take hold of this game. The Redwings kept pressure on until the break. And afterwards, they forced Wauconda to sit deeper and chase more than it wanted to.
Despite it all, the Redwings failed to put anything of quality on frame at Wauconda's Mackenzie Arden. That changed in the second period when the freshman keeper and her backline mates must have felt as if they were in the shooting gallery at the carnival.
"We defended about as well as we could," said Shogren. "But it was hard holding down a team as talented offensively as Benet. Unfortunately for us, we were just a 'tick' off in that second half, and they just never stopped coming at us."
With that said, the understandably buoyant Bulldogs side from the first half began to take on water in the second half. If it wasn't Flynn, Casmere, Mae Tully or Dani Pullen poking holes in the Wauconda side, then it was Hansen, Cibulka, Cami Picha or Mia Tommasone.
Picha and Flynn, in particular caused havoc in the Bulldogs end leading up to Hansens' 78th minute goal.
Picha helped create consecutive corners, Flynn helped Picha have a go on frame as well as Tommasone, whose attempt went over the bar and brought groans from a charged-up, nearly 150-strong Redwings student section dressed smartly in white.
Casmere, on the turn, forced Arden into action at 76 minutes.
"You just keep working and working for that goal thinking it will come but not thinking about what it's like if you don't (score)," said Cibulka.
Hansen made sure of it, however.
"Just a great volley by Mary Kate," said a thrilled Flynn.
"I knew then this game would be ours."
Flynn's bold statement came from knowing how important it was to pry open the Bulldogs stout defensive posture to breathe life into the Benet cause.
"Nobody wanted it to end the way it was growing close to ending, but in soccer you never know," said Oconer. "Having all the play and possession doesn't always mean victory."
Fortunately for Benet, Saturday it did.
As the teams prepared for extra time, the Thor Guard warning sounded and brought about an automatic 30-minute wait for the all-clear, which was extended as the weather pattern changed in and around the area.
Once back on, the Redwings continued playing liked they were at the end of regulation -- all the play could be found in the Wauconda end.
Picha went close, as did Flynn and Casmere in the first overtime. Each side was unable to convert the single corner opportunity each created early into the second extra session.
Six minutes from PKs Cibulka collected a ball slotted to the left from Casmere. With Wauconda's attention fully on the Redwings leading scorer and keeper Arden far off her line before the pass, the Bulldogs goal was open for the taking.
"To be honest, I didn't even think about where to hit the ball or having all the goal to myself," said Cibulka in cool fashion afterwards. "I've had those chances before, and at that point it's all about just putting the ball on frame."
Cibulka drove home the 14th and most important goal of her high school career into the back of the net. Minutes later, she watched Redwings goalkeeper Eva Frantzen read trouble early and provide a strong challenge off the line at 97 minutes that ended a chance from Olivia Kuch.
Wauconda skipper Shogren was proud of his charges.
"I told the girls afterwards this was a proud moment in their lives, the life of the school and the Wauconda soccer program, and that nothing can take away from what they've accomplished this season, which is something they will remember forever," he said.
The Bulldogs will lose five from their varsity roster and return six starters.
New Class AA state champion Benet was joined in its photo session by a couple of gentlemen who have been there since the beginning of time, or so it seems. The first is Henry Wind, who brought the Redwings to this tournament twice in 2003 and 2005, as well as Bob Gros, who followed Wind when he retired in 2016.
"This is a proud moment in Benet girls soccer history," said Wind. "And I so glad and happy to be here today to take it all in and celebrate the success the girls and Gerard enjoyed."
Coach Oconer played his first two years at Benet on the sophomore team lead by Gros in 1994 and 1995. He finished up on Wind's varsity club the following two years.
"It's great having both Henry and Bob on the staff, and have them share in this championship day after giving so many great years to the program," said Oconer.
"This is a special day for all of the girls, and one that will link them together for the rest of their lives."
"For me, I remember being in Cleveland in 2016 to watch the Cubs win the World Series, and how amazing that was.
"Today was so much better than that night, and it's one that I'll never forget."
Starting lineups
Benet (4-5-1)
G- Ava Rogers
D- Kate Flynn
D- Mary Kate Wilhelm
D- Mary Kate Hansen
D- Brooke Pullen
M- Kayla Brannigan
M- Jaimie Cibulka
M- Mia Ullmer
M- Mia Tommasone
M- Cami Picha
F- Abby Casmere
Wauconda (4-4-2)
G- Mackenzie Arden
D- Olivia Kuch
D- Kayla Llewellyn
D- Sarah Rizzo
D- Madelyn Thompson
M- Morgan Lung
M-Rosalie Wisniewski
M- Abigail McHugh
M- Belle Johnson
F- Megan Sinnott
F- Savannah Johnson
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match: Jaimee Cibulka, so., MF, Benet
Mary Kate Hansen, sr., D, Benet
Scoring summary
First half
Wauconda: McHugh (S. Johnson) 17'
Second half
Benet: Hansen (U/A) 78'
First overtime
No scoring
Second overtime
Benet: Cibulka (Casmere), 94'