Catanzaro leads Triad
to state championship win over Benet
Senior's steal, game-winner gives Knights back-to-back titles
By Mike Garofola
NAPERVILLE – Triad coach Matt Bettlach saw his team's name into the history books after Gina Catanzaro inspired Triad to Class AA state soccer glory Saturday afternoon at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium on the campus of North Central College.
Catanzaro delivered the state title to the Knights (25-1-0) with her 58th-minute strike that was the difference in a 1-0 victory over Benet that finished with plenty of drama.
"As soon as (Gina) hit (it), we all knew it had a chance to go in," said Bettlach, whose club is now the first to win back-to-back Class AA titles since the state tournament went to three classes in 2009.
"I was on our bench (injured) my freshmen year when Benet beat us in our state semifinal in 2019. We ended up in third place overall, so to be able to come back here again three years later and have the chance to play and beat Benet (this) time makes it all so much better," said Catanzaro, who shared Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors with teammate Jackie Barkus, who tactically and technically excelled at center back all afternoon.
"To win back-to-backs is just amazing," said Barkus. “And to do it against a really good team like Benet, who played such a great game the day before against Deerfield, (we) knew we had to come out and play our best. I really thought we did throughout the game.”
"Triad is a great team, and today they were the better team," said Benet senior defender Annastacia Thiel, who proudly wore the captains’ armbands for manager Gerard Oconer with classmates Mariana Pinto and Katie Lewellyan. “We had a few really good chances, but they scored a great goal to win it. But we have a lot to be proud of, because we had an amazing season."
"It's always difficult to come this far then fall just short," said Oconer, who guided the Redwings to their first state title in 2019. “The girls played their hearts out today against a very good opponent. In the end, it just wasn't meant to be.”
It was clear from the opening whistle that Triad was much sharper than it was in the semifinal contest the day before Fenwick. That 3-1 win took 20 minutes of overtime to decide against the stubborn, defensive-minded Friars side, which kept numbers back, looked to target its top-scoring striker Kate Henige on the counter and relied on some incredible saves from keeper Audrey Hinrichs.
"We didn't come out and play very well yesterday against Fenwick,” said Barkus. “We really struggled with the way they played with so many players back and defending. But we knew this game would be different, and I think today you saw how Triad can play really good soccer."
After a cautious quarter hour, the Knights attack opened up through the efforts of Alina Ayran, Kinlee Lippert, Macy Mell and Catanzaro, who helped create a handful of half-chances and situations that put Thiel and her teammates on high alert.
"They had some players who were very dangerous on the ball,” said Thiel. “I thought we defended them pretty well, but it seemed like we were defending more than attacking at different points in the game."
"I am not sure if we came out a little flat after playing 80-hard minutes the day before in our semifinal against Deerfield," said Lewellyan, who bagged the opener in the Redwings 3-2 comeback victory over the Warriors. “But we seemed a little out of sync at the start, and they didn't. It took us awhile to find our rhythm and game."
A lovely, well-aimed free kick from Lewellyn in the 22nd minute caused some nervous moments for the Triad faithful, who watched their IHSSCA all-state keeper Reagan Chigas punch the ball out of her immediate area with force before Catanzaro deftly parried the ball clear of trouble.
Moments later, the Knights allowed Eleanor Mahan to tee-up her attempt from 18 yards. Chigas once again was called into action to save.
After the Lewellyan and Mahan opportunities, Triad's attack came to life for the final 6-7 minutes before intermission. Catanzaro and Ezra Wilder were at the heart of the stretch, which saw Brynn Presley drive a free kick on frame that forced Redwings keeper Shannon Clark to make a valiant save.
With more urgency for both sides now apparent at the onset of the second half, the pace was turned up, as was the voracity in 50/50 balls and challenges in the first 10 minutes.
A Reese MacDonald free kick from the midline settled nicely into the gloves of Chigas. On the Benet side of the park, Ayran, on the turn, dribbled into the box before Thiel and Bailey Abbott put an end to that potential threat.
Anna Casmere, the hero in the semifinal triumph the day before with two goals, brought the crowd alive with one of her patented enterprising runs up the left side. The 56th-minute effort ended when the ball she played into the Knights box was cleared smartly by Barkus.
Catanzaro's crowning moment came just near the hour when, out of nowhere, the Maryville University (Mo.)-bound star struck the eventual game-winner.
Moving away from the Knights bench and toward the middle of the field, Catanzaro unloaded a long-range angled effort that found the far inside netting from distance at 58 minutes for her 26th and most memorable goal of the season and her career.
"I knew if I could get free that I would have a shot, and the feeling of scoring the game-winner in the state final is just amazing," said Catanzaro.
To their credit, the Redwings quickly put the goal behind them as they went in search of the equalizer in what turned out to be the last 20 minutes of their season.
A long punt from Shannon Clark was brought down with a nice touch from Casmere, who went endline before crossing to the back post where the ever-present Barkus was there to intercept and clear.
Freshmen Keira Petrucelli followed moments later with the same effort, only her attempt on frame was easily saved by Chigas.
After a pair of deep throws went for naught for the Redwings, it appeared referee Hannah Shehaiber threw a lifeline of sorts when Lewellyan went down in the box after leaping between two Triad defenders and getting contacted. Barkus, who was whistled for the foul, was bewildered about the 76th-minute call.
"I went for the ball; everyone was pushing each other,” she said. “It hit my shoulder and went out, then the referee pointed to the spot.
"I knew then if they put the PK into the net, it would have been my fault. But to be honest, I still don't know what happened or what the call was."
Pinto calmly stepped up to the spot for Benet looking to drive home her 26th of the season and the equalizer. But instead she rattled her attempt off the left post, and the rebound sitter was shot wide by Lewellyan.
The aftermath left the Knights estatic, and Benet stunned.
"We were fortunate that they missed on both of those attempts," said a relieved Bettlach, whose Knights have now won 49 of their last 50 matches. “But that's the sport of soccer, and we've all been on the other side of those instances.”
"It was a tough way to end,” said Thiel. “But as I said, we have so much to be proud of. It was a great season and one that I am very grateful for, because I was able to play soccer with my friends and to enjoy the sport I love with them."
"We had our chances in this game," added Lewellyan, who was named the East Suburban Catholic Conference Player of the Year following the Redwings 10th league championship. She will attend the University of West Florida in Pensacola in the fall. “In the end, they were a little better than us. It’s been a great run for this team, and I have had so much fun being a part of team that enjoys each other, both when we play and we're away from the game as well."
Oconer will return 19 from his 2022 roster and eight from his starting lineup to help give he and his staff another strong core of players who will look to pick up where this club left off next spring.
"This was a great group of players, with terrific leadership,” he said. “I know, if we work hard and continue to do the right things, we'll have the chance to be back here again next year."
Starting lineups
Benet (4-4-2)
G- Shannon Clark
D- Sadie Sterbenz
D- Bailey Abbott
D- Annastacia Thiel
D- Nora Hansen
M- Brinkley Douglas
M- Reese MacDonald
M- Gabi DiMatteo
M- Katie Lewellyn
F- Keira Petrucelli
F- Mariana Pinto
Triad (4-4-2)
G- Reagan Chigas
D- Avery Bohnenstiehl
D- Jackie Barkus
D- Brynn Presley
D- Macy Mell
M- Kinlee Lippert
M- Karen Speer
M- Carson Bohenstiehl
M- Ezra Wilder
F- Gina Catanzaro
F- Alina Ayran
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match:
Jackie Backus, jr., D, Triad;
Gina Catanzaro, sr., F, Triad
Officials: Hannah Shehaiber (referee); Jose Renda (AR1); Bret Richter (AR2); Olkay Akman (4th)
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Triad: Catanzaro (U/A) 58'
Statistics
Shots on
Benet: 3
Triad: 3
Shots off
Benet: 3
Triad: 6
Corner kicks
Benet: 1
Triad: 1
Offsides
Benet: 0
Triad: 1
Fouls
Benet: 10
Triad: 11
to state championship win over Benet
Senior's steal, game-winner gives Knights back-to-back titles
By Mike Garofola
NAPERVILLE – Triad coach Matt Bettlach saw his team's name into the history books after Gina Catanzaro inspired Triad to Class AA state soccer glory Saturday afternoon at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium on the campus of North Central College.
Catanzaro delivered the state title to the Knights (25-1-0) with her 58th-minute strike that was the difference in a 1-0 victory over Benet that finished with plenty of drama.
"As soon as (Gina) hit (it), we all knew it had a chance to go in," said Bettlach, whose club is now the first to win back-to-back Class AA titles since the state tournament went to three classes in 2009.
"I was on our bench (injured) my freshmen year when Benet beat us in our state semifinal in 2019. We ended up in third place overall, so to be able to come back here again three years later and have the chance to play and beat Benet (this) time makes it all so much better," said Catanzaro, who shared Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors with teammate Jackie Barkus, who tactically and technically excelled at center back all afternoon.
"To win back-to-backs is just amazing," said Barkus. “And to do it against a really good team like Benet, who played such a great game the day before against Deerfield, (we) knew we had to come out and play our best. I really thought we did throughout the game.”
"Triad is a great team, and today they were the better team," said Benet senior defender Annastacia Thiel, who proudly wore the captains’ armbands for manager Gerard Oconer with classmates Mariana Pinto and Katie Lewellyan. “We had a few really good chances, but they scored a great goal to win it. But we have a lot to be proud of, because we had an amazing season."
"It's always difficult to come this far then fall just short," said Oconer, who guided the Redwings to their first state title in 2019. “The girls played their hearts out today against a very good opponent. In the end, it just wasn't meant to be.”
It was clear from the opening whistle that Triad was much sharper than it was in the semifinal contest the day before Fenwick. That 3-1 win took 20 minutes of overtime to decide against the stubborn, defensive-minded Friars side, which kept numbers back, looked to target its top-scoring striker Kate Henige on the counter and relied on some incredible saves from keeper Audrey Hinrichs.
"We didn't come out and play very well yesterday against Fenwick,” said Barkus. “We really struggled with the way they played with so many players back and defending. But we knew this game would be different, and I think today you saw how Triad can play really good soccer."
After a cautious quarter hour, the Knights attack opened up through the efforts of Alina Ayran, Kinlee Lippert, Macy Mell and Catanzaro, who helped create a handful of half-chances and situations that put Thiel and her teammates on high alert.
"They had some players who were very dangerous on the ball,” said Thiel. “I thought we defended them pretty well, but it seemed like we were defending more than attacking at different points in the game."
"I am not sure if we came out a little flat after playing 80-hard minutes the day before in our semifinal against Deerfield," said Lewellyan, who bagged the opener in the Redwings 3-2 comeback victory over the Warriors. “But we seemed a little out of sync at the start, and they didn't. It took us awhile to find our rhythm and game."
A lovely, well-aimed free kick from Lewellyn in the 22nd minute caused some nervous moments for the Triad faithful, who watched their IHSSCA all-state keeper Reagan Chigas punch the ball out of her immediate area with force before Catanzaro deftly parried the ball clear of trouble.
Moments later, the Knights allowed Eleanor Mahan to tee-up her attempt from 18 yards. Chigas once again was called into action to save.
After the Lewellyan and Mahan opportunities, Triad's attack came to life for the final 6-7 minutes before intermission. Catanzaro and Ezra Wilder were at the heart of the stretch, which saw Brynn Presley drive a free kick on frame that forced Redwings keeper Shannon Clark to make a valiant save.
With more urgency for both sides now apparent at the onset of the second half, the pace was turned up, as was the voracity in 50/50 balls and challenges in the first 10 minutes.
A Reese MacDonald free kick from the midline settled nicely into the gloves of Chigas. On the Benet side of the park, Ayran, on the turn, dribbled into the box before Thiel and Bailey Abbott put an end to that potential threat.
Anna Casmere, the hero in the semifinal triumph the day before with two goals, brought the crowd alive with one of her patented enterprising runs up the left side. The 56th-minute effort ended when the ball she played into the Knights box was cleared smartly by Barkus.
Catanzaro's crowning moment came just near the hour when, out of nowhere, the Maryville University (Mo.)-bound star struck the eventual game-winner.
Moving away from the Knights bench and toward the middle of the field, Catanzaro unloaded a long-range angled effort that found the far inside netting from distance at 58 minutes for her 26th and most memorable goal of the season and her career.
"I knew if I could get free that I would have a shot, and the feeling of scoring the game-winner in the state final is just amazing," said Catanzaro.
To their credit, the Redwings quickly put the goal behind them as they went in search of the equalizer in what turned out to be the last 20 minutes of their season.
A long punt from Shannon Clark was brought down with a nice touch from Casmere, who went endline before crossing to the back post where the ever-present Barkus was there to intercept and clear.
Freshmen Keira Petrucelli followed moments later with the same effort, only her attempt on frame was easily saved by Chigas.
After a pair of deep throws went for naught for the Redwings, it appeared referee Hannah Shehaiber threw a lifeline of sorts when Lewellyan went down in the box after leaping between two Triad defenders and getting contacted. Barkus, who was whistled for the foul, was bewildered about the 76th-minute call.
"I went for the ball; everyone was pushing each other,” she said. “It hit my shoulder and went out, then the referee pointed to the spot.
"I knew then if they put the PK into the net, it would have been my fault. But to be honest, I still don't know what happened or what the call was."
Pinto calmly stepped up to the spot for Benet looking to drive home her 26th of the season and the equalizer. But instead she rattled her attempt off the left post, and the rebound sitter was shot wide by Lewellyan.
The aftermath left the Knights estatic, and Benet stunned.
"We were fortunate that they missed on both of those attempts," said a relieved Bettlach, whose Knights have now won 49 of their last 50 matches. “But that's the sport of soccer, and we've all been on the other side of those instances.”
"It was a tough way to end,” said Thiel. “But as I said, we have so much to be proud of. It was a great season and one that I am very grateful for, because I was able to play soccer with my friends and to enjoy the sport I love with them."
"We had our chances in this game," added Lewellyan, who was named the East Suburban Catholic Conference Player of the Year following the Redwings 10th league championship. She will attend the University of West Florida in Pensacola in the fall. “In the end, they were a little better than us. It’s been a great run for this team, and I have had so much fun being a part of team that enjoys each other, both when we play and we're away from the game as well."
Oconer will return 19 from his 2022 roster and eight from his starting lineup to help give he and his staff another strong core of players who will look to pick up where this club left off next spring.
"This was a great group of players, with terrific leadership,” he said. “I know, if we work hard and continue to do the right things, we'll have the chance to be back here again next year."
Starting lineups
Benet (4-4-2)
G- Shannon Clark
D- Sadie Sterbenz
D- Bailey Abbott
D- Annastacia Thiel
D- Nora Hansen
M- Brinkley Douglas
M- Reese MacDonald
M- Gabi DiMatteo
M- Katie Lewellyn
F- Keira Petrucelli
F- Mariana Pinto
Triad (4-4-2)
G- Reagan Chigas
D- Avery Bohnenstiehl
D- Jackie Barkus
D- Brynn Presley
D- Macy Mell
M- Kinlee Lippert
M- Karen Speer
M- Carson Bohenstiehl
M- Ezra Wilder
F- Gina Catanzaro
F- Alina Ayran
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match:
Jackie Backus, jr., D, Triad;
Gina Catanzaro, sr., F, Triad
Officials: Hannah Shehaiber (referee); Jose Renda (AR1); Bret Richter (AR2); Olkay Akman (4th)
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Triad: Catanzaro (U/A) 58'
Statistics
Shots on
Benet: 3
Triad: 3
Shots off
Benet: 3
Triad: 6
Corner kicks
Benet: 1
Triad: 1
Offsides
Benet: 0
Triad: 1
Fouls
Benet: 10
Triad: 11