St. Patrick passes 1st ESCC test vs. Benet
56th-minute game-winner delivers win over reigning ESCC champ
By Mike Garofola
LISLE -- The collective narrative before the trip to Benet for Kyle McClure and his men from St. Patrick was beat the Redwings in order to challenge for the big trophy in the East Suburban Catholic Conference this fall.
But two things were clear in the first 40 minutes of this match on Senior Day at Benet: the malaise that engulfed the Shamrocks overall play would dash the hopes of McClure's club if it continued; and the home side would have liked nothing more to make the day altogether miserable for their guests.
Soccer matches are often described as a game of two halves, and Benet clearly dominated the first 40 minute. Unfortunately for the hosts, St. Patrick (8-2-2, 1-0-1) did the same after the break to earn a hard-fought 1-0 triumph Monday.
"That was not easy out there for us today," admitted a relieved McClure, who saw his club finally break through on a Herbert Carrera goal in the 56th minute.
"We were just a shell of what we're capable of playing. A lot of that was on us, but plenty of credit goes to Benet who quite frankly outplayed us all throughout the first half. (It) was pure luck that it was 0-0 at the half."
Benet's robust play on both sides of the ball was fueled by a work rate that was unmatched by St. Patrick.
"That was our best first half of soccer this season, and for that matter, perhaps our best overall 80-minute effort of the year," said Redwings manager Sean Wesley, who knew in his heart that a goal or two from his lads in the first period may have doomed the Shamrocks on the unseasonably warm day at his home soccer park.
"We did everything today except put one in the back of the net -- not that we didn't have a handful of great chances to do so -- (but) as it has gone this season, there's a lapse, or mistake here and there, and our opponent makes us pay for it. That's what happened here today."
St. Patrick's attack, which has been in overdrive of late, was vague and lacking in ambition from the opening whistle.
And, if wasn't the stout play of the Redwings backline led by Danny Smith, or the relentless pressure and energy in the middle of the park with Nicholas Trakszelis and others involved in Wesley's tactical approach, there was goalkeeper Brian Gould to turn away attempts on frame from the visitors.
"Brian has kept us in games all year long so far. In fact, I can think of 7-8 really great saves he's made for us already," began Trakszelis.
"In addition, everyone came out with a great work rate. And we made if really difficult for Pat's to possess, play through the middle or build-up play because of the high pressure we put on them as well as how quickly we got back to defend as a team.
Up-top for Benet, the duo of Jason Rowaiye and Tiaran Gallagher had far too much pace, size and strength for the Shamrocks. Each was responsible for keeping their guests under pressure for most of the first half, while having a go or two on frame at St. Patrick keeper Christopher Troyke.
Rowaiye was close twice around the 20th minute, while his running mate Gallagher was best when charging up the flank and crossing, or just dispossessing his opponent and quickly finding either Trakszelis or Artur Pach in the middle.
"We couldn't really do much of anything really well in the first half," admitted Jonathan Rodriguez, St. Patrick's outstanding left-footed outside back. "We were lazy, didn't get on defense, and just let the pressure (they) were putting on us (get) to us."
After dodging a handful of nervous moments when Benet created dead-ball opportunities, the visitors slowly pulled themselves into the game after the half hour but the chances they threw at Gould were only half-chances at best.
The best chances of the first half went to the hosts. Trakszelis, from a ball out of the left from Rowaiye, had a try and if not for a terrific reaction save by Troyke, the home side would have been on the scoreboard first.
Troyke stopped Pach in the 36th minute, then watched Pach create a corner followed by a free kick attempt by Franklin Rutkowski that missed the mark.
"At the half, coach (McClure) talked to us about playing with more intensity and with a lot more urgency also," said Herbert Carrera.
"We all knew we were better than this, but Benet did a great job of taking us out of our game. And all of us knew how poorly we played in the first half."
The speech hit a nerve and as soon as play resumed, the Shamrocks enjoyed a 'Eureka' moment to signal the awakening of the entire St. Patrick first 11 and its missing attack.
Leading goal-scorer Christian Modrzejewski went over the bar, before a clever little chip found Luis Saucedo in-close with Gould called to action for the save.
On the other end, Benet responded with Rowaiye grazing the bar, and Trakszelis' free kick going over from 25 yards. Unfortunately for the Redwings, that began a dry spell for quality chances as the visitors began to take over the run of play.
"The second half was so much better to watch," McClure said with a wry smile.
"A lot of that happened because of the play from Herbert and Rodriguez, who together on the left side made things happen while creating a lot of chances for their teammates."
It was Joshua Torres and Angel Adame who helped inspire the Shamrocks attack. The two combined to force Gould into a save in the 51st minute, followed by a well-aimed corner by Rodriguez which a confident Gould would command his box by pulling the attempt out of harm's way.
The Shamrocks thought they found the back of the net when Modrzejewski connected with Torres who in turn put Saucedo through, but a quick glance to the touchline saw the assistant referee with his flag up just as Saucedo went past Gould.
The Benet keeper had no chance on the game-winner moments later. Rodriguez put a brilliant early ball onto the left foot of Carrera, who without slowing down unloaded a wicked blast into the far corner.
"I knew Polla (the nickname of Rodriguez) was coming up the left side. When we made eye contact, I just kept running until he gave me a great ball before I let my shot go," said Carerra, a junior, of his 7th goal of the season.
"Jonathan is not only a great outside back, but he is so good on the ball, and a key player in our attack because he can make the run, join the attack, and distribute really well," said McClure of some of the attributes of Chicagoland Soccer's Man of the Match.
The final 10 minutes of regulation became chippy and filled with far too many whistles. One player from each club was booked for unsporting behavior and dissent.
Wrapped inside this frantic stretch was the Redwings desperate push to equalize, but they needed their keeper Gould to keep their hopes of getting back level alive.
The senior made two brilliant saves, then watched a chance that would have tied the game if his counterpart Troyke didn't make an in-close stop of Trakszelis stopped in the 80th minute.
"Both keepers today were terrific when tested, and their guy, right there at the end saved them on Nick's shot," began Wesley.
"It's been one of those types of years for us so far. We've dug a hole for ourselves from time-to-time with self-inflicted wounds which has forced us to chase most of the games we've been involved in.
"With that said, we've show a lot of what we are capable of doing, including a terrific effort against Naperville North, despite a loss, and today, when we were very close to coming out of here with a win."
Benet continues play in the ESCC on Wednesday at home against Joilet Catholic, followed by a trip to league favorite Carmel on Friday evening.
St. Patrick gets another big early conference test against Carmel on Wednesday in Mundelein.
"There's no way Wednesday means as much as it will then if we don't come away with a win today. It was that simple," admits McClure.
"This is what we've been waiting for, and now we're in a position to take a big step forward when we go there."
Starting lineups
St. Patrick (4-4-2 starting formation)
GK- Christopher Troyke
D- Jonathan Rodriguez
D- Sebastian Modrzjewski
D- Nathan Anderson
D- Richard Hernandez
M- Herbert Carrera
M- Aaron Moreno-Lopez
M- Christopher Modrzejewski
M- Angel Adams
F- Luis Saucedo
F- Joshua Torres
Benet Academy (4-4-2)
GK- Brian Gould
D- Jack Pipal
D- Danny Smith
D- Collin Dannheim
D- Ryan Tomecek
M- Will Shannon
M- Nicholas Trakszelis
M- Jacob Haddad
M- Artur Pach
F- Jason Rowaiye
F- Tiaran Gallagher
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Jonathan Rodriguez, so., D, St. Patrick
Referee: Nenad
Scoring summary
St. Patrick
Herbert Carrera (Rodriguez) 56'
56th-minute game-winner delivers win over reigning ESCC champ
By Mike Garofola
LISLE -- The collective narrative before the trip to Benet for Kyle McClure and his men from St. Patrick was beat the Redwings in order to challenge for the big trophy in the East Suburban Catholic Conference this fall.
But two things were clear in the first 40 minutes of this match on Senior Day at Benet: the malaise that engulfed the Shamrocks overall play would dash the hopes of McClure's club if it continued; and the home side would have liked nothing more to make the day altogether miserable for their guests.
Soccer matches are often described as a game of two halves, and Benet clearly dominated the first 40 minute. Unfortunately for the hosts, St. Patrick (8-2-2, 1-0-1) did the same after the break to earn a hard-fought 1-0 triumph Monday.
"That was not easy out there for us today," admitted a relieved McClure, who saw his club finally break through on a Herbert Carrera goal in the 56th minute.
"We were just a shell of what we're capable of playing. A lot of that was on us, but plenty of credit goes to Benet who quite frankly outplayed us all throughout the first half. (It) was pure luck that it was 0-0 at the half."
Benet's robust play on both sides of the ball was fueled by a work rate that was unmatched by St. Patrick.
"That was our best first half of soccer this season, and for that matter, perhaps our best overall 80-minute effort of the year," said Redwings manager Sean Wesley, who knew in his heart that a goal or two from his lads in the first period may have doomed the Shamrocks on the unseasonably warm day at his home soccer park.
"We did everything today except put one in the back of the net -- not that we didn't have a handful of great chances to do so -- (but) as it has gone this season, there's a lapse, or mistake here and there, and our opponent makes us pay for it. That's what happened here today."
St. Patrick's attack, which has been in overdrive of late, was vague and lacking in ambition from the opening whistle.
And, if wasn't the stout play of the Redwings backline led by Danny Smith, or the relentless pressure and energy in the middle of the park with Nicholas Trakszelis and others involved in Wesley's tactical approach, there was goalkeeper Brian Gould to turn away attempts on frame from the visitors.
"Brian has kept us in games all year long so far. In fact, I can think of 7-8 really great saves he's made for us already," began Trakszelis.
"In addition, everyone came out with a great work rate. And we made if really difficult for Pat's to possess, play through the middle or build-up play because of the high pressure we put on them as well as how quickly we got back to defend as a team.
Up-top for Benet, the duo of Jason Rowaiye and Tiaran Gallagher had far too much pace, size and strength for the Shamrocks. Each was responsible for keeping their guests under pressure for most of the first half, while having a go or two on frame at St. Patrick keeper Christopher Troyke.
Rowaiye was close twice around the 20th minute, while his running mate Gallagher was best when charging up the flank and crossing, or just dispossessing his opponent and quickly finding either Trakszelis or Artur Pach in the middle.
"We couldn't really do much of anything really well in the first half," admitted Jonathan Rodriguez, St. Patrick's outstanding left-footed outside back. "We were lazy, didn't get on defense, and just let the pressure (they) were putting on us (get) to us."
After dodging a handful of nervous moments when Benet created dead-ball opportunities, the visitors slowly pulled themselves into the game after the half hour but the chances they threw at Gould were only half-chances at best.
The best chances of the first half went to the hosts. Trakszelis, from a ball out of the left from Rowaiye, had a try and if not for a terrific reaction save by Troyke, the home side would have been on the scoreboard first.
Troyke stopped Pach in the 36th minute, then watched Pach create a corner followed by a free kick attempt by Franklin Rutkowski that missed the mark.
"At the half, coach (McClure) talked to us about playing with more intensity and with a lot more urgency also," said Herbert Carrera.
"We all knew we were better than this, but Benet did a great job of taking us out of our game. And all of us knew how poorly we played in the first half."
The speech hit a nerve and as soon as play resumed, the Shamrocks enjoyed a 'Eureka' moment to signal the awakening of the entire St. Patrick first 11 and its missing attack.
Leading goal-scorer Christian Modrzejewski went over the bar, before a clever little chip found Luis Saucedo in-close with Gould called to action for the save.
On the other end, Benet responded with Rowaiye grazing the bar, and Trakszelis' free kick going over from 25 yards. Unfortunately for the Redwings, that began a dry spell for quality chances as the visitors began to take over the run of play.
"The second half was so much better to watch," McClure said with a wry smile.
"A lot of that happened because of the play from Herbert and Rodriguez, who together on the left side made things happen while creating a lot of chances for their teammates."
It was Joshua Torres and Angel Adame who helped inspire the Shamrocks attack. The two combined to force Gould into a save in the 51st minute, followed by a well-aimed corner by Rodriguez which a confident Gould would command his box by pulling the attempt out of harm's way.
The Shamrocks thought they found the back of the net when Modrzejewski connected with Torres who in turn put Saucedo through, but a quick glance to the touchline saw the assistant referee with his flag up just as Saucedo went past Gould.
The Benet keeper had no chance on the game-winner moments later. Rodriguez put a brilliant early ball onto the left foot of Carrera, who without slowing down unloaded a wicked blast into the far corner.
"I knew Polla (the nickname of Rodriguez) was coming up the left side. When we made eye contact, I just kept running until he gave me a great ball before I let my shot go," said Carerra, a junior, of his 7th goal of the season.
"Jonathan is not only a great outside back, but he is so good on the ball, and a key player in our attack because he can make the run, join the attack, and distribute really well," said McClure of some of the attributes of Chicagoland Soccer's Man of the Match.
The final 10 minutes of regulation became chippy and filled with far too many whistles. One player from each club was booked for unsporting behavior and dissent.
Wrapped inside this frantic stretch was the Redwings desperate push to equalize, but they needed their keeper Gould to keep their hopes of getting back level alive.
The senior made two brilliant saves, then watched a chance that would have tied the game if his counterpart Troyke didn't make an in-close stop of Trakszelis stopped in the 80th minute.
"Both keepers today were terrific when tested, and their guy, right there at the end saved them on Nick's shot," began Wesley.
"It's been one of those types of years for us so far. We've dug a hole for ourselves from time-to-time with self-inflicted wounds which has forced us to chase most of the games we've been involved in.
"With that said, we've show a lot of what we are capable of doing, including a terrific effort against Naperville North, despite a loss, and today, when we were very close to coming out of here with a win."
Benet continues play in the ESCC on Wednesday at home against Joilet Catholic, followed by a trip to league favorite Carmel on Friday evening.
St. Patrick gets another big early conference test against Carmel on Wednesday in Mundelein.
"There's no way Wednesday means as much as it will then if we don't come away with a win today. It was that simple," admits McClure.
"This is what we've been waiting for, and now we're in a position to take a big step forward when we go there."
Starting lineups
St. Patrick (4-4-2 starting formation)
GK- Christopher Troyke
D- Jonathan Rodriguez
D- Sebastian Modrzjewski
D- Nathan Anderson
D- Richard Hernandez
M- Herbert Carrera
M- Aaron Moreno-Lopez
M- Christopher Modrzejewski
M- Angel Adams
F- Luis Saucedo
F- Joshua Torres
Benet Academy (4-4-2)
GK- Brian Gould
D- Jack Pipal
D- Danny Smith
D- Collin Dannheim
D- Ryan Tomecek
M- Will Shannon
M- Nicholas Trakszelis
M- Jacob Haddad
M- Artur Pach
F- Jason Rowaiye
F- Tiaran Gallagher
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Jonathan Rodriguez, so., D, St. Patrick
Referee: Nenad
Scoring summary
St. Patrick
Herbert Carrera (Rodriguez) 56'