90 minutes not enough
to separate Benet, St. Patrick
After 1-1 tie, conference title will be decided in final game
By Mike Garofola
LISLE -- The final stop of the ESCC championship trophy will have to wait another couple of days.
Benet, which aimed for its first outright league title since 2016, was seconds away from doing so but conceded the equalizer to St. Patrick and settled for a 1-1 draw Tuesday evening at the Redwings soccer park.
This hard-fought overtime result means a victory at Saint Viator on Friday would give Benet (13-1-2, 7-0-1), ranked fourth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, a 15th title in program history. A draw would mean a shared ESCC crown with St. Patrick.
The Shamrocks (20-2-3, 7-0-2) would claim their second-straight solo conference title should the Redwings fall to Saint Viator.
"We control our own fate," said disappointed Benet manager Sean Wesley, who watched his lads open ever so brightly on this cloudy day.
"Victory was there for us -- had chances to extend our advantage a couple of times in the first half. Then in the last 10-15 minutes the momentum shifted enough to allow them to send it into overtime."
Ironically, the equalizer bagged by Ivan A. Guerrero came at what could best described as nearly a stoppage time goal, with the sophomore steered in his close-range effort seconds from time.
On the flipside, the Benet faithful, along with Wesley and his men, thought Sam Hepburn fired in the game-winner as the clock struck 90 minutes.
"From my vantage point, it appeared that Sam's shot rippled into the back of the net when the buzzer sounded, but the officials, after meeting for several minutes said the shot did not cross the line before time ran out.
"We should have put them away earlier when we had the chance, but they're a great team, with some great individual players. And again, when you don't finish your chances this is how things can end."
Said Shamrocks manager Kyle McClure of the near 90-minute strike: "I saw the referee wave off the goal with his hands. So I never thought anything else but the game was over, and it ended in a 1-1 draw."
It appeared from the opening whistle that second-ranked St. Patrick was playing without its usual spark, flair and pace. Some of that was due to the fact its terrific no. 10 Aaron Moreno-Lopez (18 assists) was in street clothes and unable to play in this monster soccer match.
"No doubt we're a different team without Aaron, who's the quarterback of our attack. He's the guy who hits all of our dead-balls, most of our corners and free kicks, and gets everyone involved going forward," said McClure.
The absence of Moreno-Lopez was compounded by the glue-stick defense the Redwings applied to Shamrocks star forward Joshua Torres, who entered this contest looking to add to the 30 goals he has netted thus far.
During the first quarter hour the Redwings defense, in particular Conor Perkins, kept the all-state candidate to just two touches. Both came with his back to the net.
"We didn't come in with any specific marking or tactical plans, but Conor did a great job early on," said Thomas Miskin. "(Anthony) Klos, Zach (Serafin) and myself covered for each other, stayed organized and always aware of things."
The senior was magnificent all afternoon in the tackle, 50-50 balls, interceptions, and during the first half, getting forward constantly on the left side. He had a connection with Hans Haenicke that gave the home side a fierce attacking duo on the outside.
"Thomas and Hans gave us so much energy, creativity and chances. They helped us keep St. Patrick under for almost the entire first half," said Wesley.
Miskin earned Chicagoland Soccer's Man of the Match honor for a job well done.
Sophomore T.J. McVey got the Redwings off to the perfect start when he buried the opener in the 6th minute and immediately put the visitors on their heels. That continued for the rest of the first period.
The Shamrocks, coming off a killer four games in the last six days which included a heart-breaking loss in kicks to Morton on Sunday, looked like they were running on fumes for long stretches during the first half.
Of course, much of that had to do with the relentless pace and one-way traffic of the Redwings led by Haenicke, Hepburn, McVey, Miskin, and the dynamic duo of Nick Augustyn and Nick Renfro, who ran the show in the middle of the park.
"We played one of our best halves of soccer to open up the game," said McVey. "We were connecting, moving really well, playing the ball quick and creating chances. It's too bad we didn't put another one or two in"
The end result of the Redwings high-octane effort was to earn several dead-ball opportunities and at one point, six-consecutive corners in the final minutes before the intermission.
Renfro headed a Klos free kick over the bar at 25 minutes, just after Torres had his first one on frame.
With both managers bringing on fresh legs as frequently as they could in order to keep their men mentally and physically sharp in this back-and-forth Indy Car race, McClure found a gem in Juan Leon, who stepped into the backline to provide quality play.
"We defended for so much of the first half, absorbing so much of their pressure in that first half," McClure said. "I was real proud of the effort of our guys, especially along the back.
"Luckily for us, Jorge (Cebrero) came through for us when we really needed him to."
Cebrero is the Shamrocks diminutive man between the sticks. The junior went airborne twice before the break to keep the Redwings from adding to their lead.
McVey initiated one play with a corner, in which Augustyn then found Renfro, whose blistering shot was turned away by Cebrero.
Moments later, in the 39th minute, Cebrera elevated to push Miskin's left-footed missile up and over the bar.
Benet picked up where it left off after the break: Haenicke grazed the post after Hepburn tricked his way in-close.
A nicely executed counter saw McVey patiently wait for Chris Mankowski to get deep into his run before supplying a lovely early ball to Haenicke, but his effort went wide.
McClure opened the second half in a 4-3-3 with Torres flanked by Jason Buelvas (13 goals) and his all-state defender-midfielder Jonathan Rodriguez. While the trio gave the home side a fair amount of trouble, on the other end the absence of Rodriguez left the Shamrocks defense missing a brilliant piece to their defensive line.
When McClure eventually moved Rodriguez back and center back Adam Przytula up, the attack finally got on its front foot.
While far from their fluid best, the Shamrocks were better after the break and came all the way into the game after Rodriguez and then Angel Adame forced Benet keeper Vyto Staniskis into action.
He stopped both attempts confidently then made his mark on the game on his biggest test of the game with a reaction kick save on Torres who floated into the area before releasing a wicked 18-yard bomb.
Leon's shot spilled free into the box and allowed Guerrero the opportunity to slot under the diving Staniskis seconds from time.
"It's so nice to see Ivan get that equalizer," began McClure.
"He missed his PK in that game with Morton, and he was feeling really down about it because he thought he lost that game all by himself.
"To see him redeem himself with that late goal was amazing."
The two mandatory five-minute extra sessions were played in near darkness on the Redwings light-less pitch. But the place brightened when it appeared Hepburn finished a Haenicke helper in the 90th minute.
"We all thought Sam's shot went in," Miskin said. "But it should never had gotten to that after dominating the first hour or so against a really good team such as St. Patrick."
"Benet is a great team," said McClure.
"They have everything you need to compete for a state championship in AA. So it will be interesting if they meet the no. 1 team in the state, Notre Dame (Peoria) in the supersectional.
"We fought throughout this game and were thrilled to get out of here with a draw. It will force Benet to be at its best on Friday when they go to Saint Viator."
Wesley, Miskin and Mcvey all know their longtime rivals would like nothing more than to spoil their plans to lift the ESCC trophy at the Lions home park.
"We'll take Saint Viator real seriously," said Miskin.
"They're a great program and a big-time rival. So we'll come ready to play that day," McVey said.
Added Wesley: "It would have been easier to end it all today, but credit Pat's for their effort and to our guys too, who played hard against one of the top teams in the state."
Start lineups
St. Patrick (3-4-3)
G- Jorge Cebrero
D- Colin Krueger
D- Adam Przytula
D- Narcizo Ibarra
M- Leonardo Magana
M- Angel Adame
M- LuisAngel Saucedo
M- Jonathan Rodriguez
F- Joshua Torres
F- Jaden Buelvas
F- Sebastian Modrzejewski
Benet (4-3-3)
G- Vyto Staniskis
D- Thomas Miskin
D- Anthony Klos
D- Zach Serafin
D- Conor Perkins
M- Sam Hepburn
M- Nick Renfro
M- Nick Augustyn
F- Hans Haenicke
F- T.J. McVey
F- Chris Mankowski
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Thomas Miskin, sr., D, Benet
Referee: Raymundo Zaragazo
Scoring summary
First half
Benet Academy: McVey (U/A) 6'
Second half
St. Patrick: Guerrero (Leon) 80'
to separate Benet, St. Patrick
After 1-1 tie, conference title will be decided in final game
By Mike Garofola
LISLE -- The final stop of the ESCC championship trophy will have to wait another couple of days.
Benet, which aimed for its first outright league title since 2016, was seconds away from doing so but conceded the equalizer to St. Patrick and settled for a 1-1 draw Tuesday evening at the Redwings soccer park.
This hard-fought overtime result means a victory at Saint Viator on Friday would give Benet (13-1-2, 7-0-1), ranked fourth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, a 15th title in program history. A draw would mean a shared ESCC crown with St. Patrick.
The Shamrocks (20-2-3, 7-0-2) would claim their second-straight solo conference title should the Redwings fall to Saint Viator.
"We control our own fate," said disappointed Benet manager Sean Wesley, who watched his lads open ever so brightly on this cloudy day.
"Victory was there for us -- had chances to extend our advantage a couple of times in the first half. Then in the last 10-15 minutes the momentum shifted enough to allow them to send it into overtime."
Ironically, the equalizer bagged by Ivan A. Guerrero came at what could best described as nearly a stoppage time goal, with the sophomore steered in his close-range effort seconds from time.
On the flipside, the Benet faithful, along with Wesley and his men, thought Sam Hepburn fired in the game-winner as the clock struck 90 minutes.
"From my vantage point, it appeared that Sam's shot rippled into the back of the net when the buzzer sounded, but the officials, after meeting for several minutes said the shot did not cross the line before time ran out.
"We should have put them away earlier when we had the chance, but they're a great team, with some great individual players. And again, when you don't finish your chances this is how things can end."
Said Shamrocks manager Kyle McClure of the near 90-minute strike: "I saw the referee wave off the goal with his hands. So I never thought anything else but the game was over, and it ended in a 1-1 draw."
It appeared from the opening whistle that second-ranked St. Patrick was playing without its usual spark, flair and pace. Some of that was due to the fact its terrific no. 10 Aaron Moreno-Lopez (18 assists) was in street clothes and unable to play in this monster soccer match.
"No doubt we're a different team without Aaron, who's the quarterback of our attack. He's the guy who hits all of our dead-balls, most of our corners and free kicks, and gets everyone involved going forward," said McClure.
The absence of Moreno-Lopez was compounded by the glue-stick defense the Redwings applied to Shamrocks star forward Joshua Torres, who entered this contest looking to add to the 30 goals he has netted thus far.
During the first quarter hour the Redwings defense, in particular Conor Perkins, kept the all-state candidate to just two touches. Both came with his back to the net.
"We didn't come in with any specific marking or tactical plans, but Conor did a great job early on," said Thomas Miskin. "(Anthony) Klos, Zach (Serafin) and myself covered for each other, stayed organized and always aware of things."
The senior was magnificent all afternoon in the tackle, 50-50 balls, interceptions, and during the first half, getting forward constantly on the left side. He had a connection with Hans Haenicke that gave the home side a fierce attacking duo on the outside.
"Thomas and Hans gave us so much energy, creativity and chances. They helped us keep St. Patrick under for almost the entire first half," said Wesley.
Miskin earned Chicagoland Soccer's Man of the Match honor for a job well done.
Sophomore T.J. McVey got the Redwings off to the perfect start when he buried the opener in the 6th minute and immediately put the visitors on their heels. That continued for the rest of the first period.
The Shamrocks, coming off a killer four games in the last six days which included a heart-breaking loss in kicks to Morton on Sunday, looked like they were running on fumes for long stretches during the first half.
Of course, much of that had to do with the relentless pace and one-way traffic of the Redwings led by Haenicke, Hepburn, McVey, Miskin, and the dynamic duo of Nick Augustyn and Nick Renfro, who ran the show in the middle of the park.
"We played one of our best halves of soccer to open up the game," said McVey. "We were connecting, moving really well, playing the ball quick and creating chances. It's too bad we didn't put another one or two in"
The end result of the Redwings high-octane effort was to earn several dead-ball opportunities and at one point, six-consecutive corners in the final minutes before the intermission.
Renfro headed a Klos free kick over the bar at 25 minutes, just after Torres had his first one on frame.
With both managers bringing on fresh legs as frequently as they could in order to keep their men mentally and physically sharp in this back-and-forth Indy Car race, McClure found a gem in Juan Leon, who stepped into the backline to provide quality play.
"We defended for so much of the first half, absorbing so much of their pressure in that first half," McClure said. "I was real proud of the effort of our guys, especially along the back.
"Luckily for us, Jorge (Cebrero) came through for us when we really needed him to."
Cebrero is the Shamrocks diminutive man between the sticks. The junior went airborne twice before the break to keep the Redwings from adding to their lead.
McVey initiated one play with a corner, in which Augustyn then found Renfro, whose blistering shot was turned away by Cebrero.
Moments later, in the 39th minute, Cebrera elevated to push Miskin's left-footed missile up and over the bar.
Benet picked up where it left off after the break: Haenicke grazed the post after Hepburn tricked his way in-close.
A nicely executed counter saw McVey patiently wait for Chris Mankowski to get deep into his run before supplying a lovely early ball to Haenicke, but his effort went wide.
McClure opened the second half in a 4-3-3 with Torres flanked by Jason Buelvas (13 goals) and his all-state defender-midfielder Jonathan Rodriguez. While the trio gave the home side a fair amount of trouble, on the other end the absence of Rodriguez left the Shamrocks defense missing a brilliant piece to their defensive line.
When McClure eventually moved Rodriguez back and center back Adam Przytula up, the attack finally got on its front foot.
While far from their fluid best, the Shamrocks were better after the break and came all the way into the game after Rodriguez and then Angel Adame forced Benet keeper Vyto Staniskis into action.
He stopped both attempts confidently then made his mark on the game on his biggest test of the game with a reaction kick save on Torres who floated into the area before releasing a wicked 18-yard bomb.
Leon's shot spilled free into the box and allowed Guerrero the opportunity to slot under the diving Staniskis seconds from time.
"It's so nice to see Ivan get that equalizer," began McClure.
"He missed his PK in that game with Morton, and he was feeling really down about it because he thought he lost that game all by himself.
"To see him redeem himself with that late goal was amazing."
The two mandatory five-minute extra sessions were played in near darkness on the Redwings light-less pitch. But the place brightened when it appeared Hepburn finished a Haenicke helper in the 90th minute.
"We all thought Sam's shot went in," Miskin said. "But it should never had gotten to that after dominating the first hour or so against a really good team such as St. Patrick."
"Benet is a great team," said McClure.
"They have everything you need to compete for a state championship in AA. So it will be interesting if they meet the no. 1 team in the state, Notre Dame (Peoria) in the supersectional.
"We fought throughout this game and were thrilled to get out of here with a draw. It will force Benet to be at its best on Friday when they go to Saint Viator."
Wesley, Miskin and Mcvey all know their longtime rivals would like nothing more than to spoil their plans to lift the ESCC trophy at the Lions home park.
"We'll take Saint Viator real seriously," said Miskin.
"They're a great program and a big-time rival. So we'll come ready to play that day," McVey said.
Added Wesley: "It would have been easier to end it all today, but credit Pat's for their effort and to our guys too, who played hard against one of the top teams in the state."
Start lineups
St. Patrick (3-4-3)
G- Jorge Cebrero
D- Colin Krueger
D- Adam Przytula
D- Narcizo Ibarra
M- Leonardo Magana
M- Angel Adame
M- LuisAngel Saucedo
M- Jonathan Rodriguez
F- Joshua Torres
F- Jaden Buelvas
F- Sebastian Modrzejewski
Benet (4-3-3)
G- Vyto Staniskis
D- Thomas Miskin
D- Anthony Klos
D- Zach Serafin
D- Conor Perkins
M- Sam Hepburn
M- Nick Renfro
M- Nick Augustyn
F- Hans Haenicke
F- T.J. McVey
F- Chris Mankowski
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Thomas Miskin, sr., D, Benet
Referee: Raymundo Zaragazo
Scoring summary
First half
Benet Academy: McVey (U/A) 6'
Second half
St. Patrick: Guerrero (Leon) 80'