Notre Dame vs. Benet showdown set
Redwings host Dons in battle of ESCC unbeatens Saturday
By Dave Owen
The tides are turning in East Suburban Catholic Conference soccer.
But as Notre Dame establishes itself in the big boys' pool, a big fish remains.
“Year in and year out, Benet is the team to beat in the ESCC,” Dons coach Mike Smith said. “They have either won or tied for the conference title eight out of the last 10 years. The last time there was a state playoffs in 2019 they won the (Class AA) state title.
“They do not have off years. They are always in the conversation for the ESCC and making a far run in the state playoffs.”
Notre Dame is now also very much in that title discussion. The proof comes at noon Saturday, when the Dons (17-1-2, 8-0-0 in the ESCC) and host Redwings (11-4-1, 7-0-0) square off for what should decide the league crown.
For all the strategies and talented players that will decide matters, there are intangibles.
“Belief is a big factor too,” Smith said. “We keep telling our guys, you earned this opportunity. Yes, they (Benet) are a great team. But so are we.
“We saw it in 2019 with qualifying for a super(sectional), again last spring finishing second in conference with a 6-2-1 ESCC record, and now again this fall with all the accomplishments thus far (numerous team records including the conference wins record previously set last spring).
But as with many of their ESCC brethren, the Dons have found Benet to be a big hurdle. The Redwings won last spring’s COVID-delayed battle 3-1, and also won in the huge 2019 season for both sides by a 6-0 score.
But now it’s a new year with new challenges for both sides.
“ND has proven they can score and find ways to win games,” Benet coach Sean Wesley said. “The key for us (is to) be ruthless in the the box. When we create chances we will need to make them count.”
The Redwings have played a who’s-who of top opponents this fall, with losses to Class 3A powers Morton, Libertyville, Plainfield East and Naperville North. Two of those were by one goal, and Benet has 1-0 wins over quality 3A sides Lyons and 2019 Class 3A state champion West Chicago, and tied Naperville Central 2-2 earlier this week.
“Our nonconference schedule this year has been one big game after the next,” Wesley said. “Hopefully, it means that we have the experience and maturity to know what it takes to win these type of games (vs. Notre Dame).”
On the Dons side, Smith recognizes the challenge.
“They are organized, disciplined and have firepower in the attack,” he said of Benet. “They have great size and defensive players who can get up on set pieces and be dangerous.
“We always seem to struggle on their grass field when we play at their place. We know we need to adjust our style a bit and adapt, and regardless of the surface, we have to go out and play quality soccer.”
A core of players have been particularly big for Benet of late, and loom large Saturday.
“Nick Roe in the back and Daniel Pepping in the middle have been rocks for us in games like this,” Wesley said. “We’ll need our attacking players (Nico) Picha, (T.J.) McVey, (Andy) Nash, (John) Kolb and our role guys to play together, share the ball, and have a quick tempo to our passing and movement which should lead to chances in the final third.”
The Dons have their own crucial factors.
“For us,” Smith said, “the keys to the game will be playing team soccer, bringing energy from the first whistle and putting together a complete 80 minutes. When you play against Benet, you can't come out flat and you can't take breaks from bringing everything you got in the tank. They are too good and will make you pay. We must take advantage of our opportunities, be definitive in our clearances in our box on set pieces and be efficient with our passing in the final third.”
As the showdown approaches, Smith is soaking in the historical importance.
“Along with tournaments and the state playoffs, this is what high school soccer is all about, embracing amazing moments like the one ahead tomorrow. Our final game of the conference season with an ESCC title on the line.
“We know in the past there have been consistent conference powers (Benet, Saint Viator, Carmel). In the last few years, I think us, St. Pat's and Marist have done a great job to bridge the gap and get into that conversation too. Last spring and this fall, we beat Marist and Saint Viator for the first time in over 20 years. We hope we can put together a full 80 at Benet's house tomorrow and add one more team to that list.”
It’s been an impressive rise by the Dons to this stature.
“During those 10 years, we have gone from a team averaging 1-2 wins in the ESCC from 2010-2015 to a team getting in the conversation for top 3/4 in conference in the last few years,” Smith said. “With us getting more competitive, it is a bit of a newer rivalry. We had a great game in the spring at our home place (they won 3-1), but it was an awesome playoff-like environment. Both teams batted hard and played great in front of a big crowd.
“I have so much respect for Sean Wesley. He is a friend and a mentor. Sean has done a tremendous job at Benet and established a program with kids of skill but more importantly kids that act the right way. We love to compete on the field, and we embrace the battles our boys have when they play.
"But after the conference season is over, we root for each other to do well. We were bummed when we fell in our super in 2019, but I was happy to see them represent the ESCC and take the state title. It's one of the things I love about our conference.
"All of our coaches are competitive and want to achieve success, but when we hit the state playoffs, we are pulling for each other to go deep into the state tourney. Hats off to Sean and his staff for the tremendous job they have done with Benet soccer.”
A tip of the lid goes to several Dons as well.
“In the defensive third, our goalkeeper Luca Lobianco has been excellent as of late,” Smith said, “managing the game well and stepping up to make big saves when called upon.
"In the back, center back and captain Paul Harris anchors our defensive unit. He has always been solid back there, but this year he is stepping up to contribute offensively as well (six goals, four assists). His backline mate Martin Krug has been tremendous all year, squaring up against opponents' best attacking players and consistently winning aerial battles. Those two along with our other defenders (Jack Plovanich, Aiden Kemora, Frank DiFillippo) have to play one of their best games of the year tomorrow.
"In the mid and up-top, Freddy Krug (25 goals, 14 assists) has scored or assisted in every game he has played in this season, including a goal in every ESCC game but one. Meanwhile, central defensive midfielder Andy Barrezueta has scored or assisted in the last nine games and has a total of 15 goals, 11 assists this year. Along with Freddy and Andy, central defensive midfielder Daniel Deano (six goals, seven assists) and forward Trevor Johnson (nine goals, three assists) have both been consistent contributors for us this year. Our wing players Zach Martin and Mike Ziemba, along with Mike Shanahan in the middle, have been consistent contributors on both sides of the ball."have been constant contributors on both sides of the ball
Redwings host Dons in battle of ESCC unbeatens Saturday
By Dave Owen
The tides are turning in East Suburban Catholic Conference soccer.
But as Notre Dame establishes itself in the big boys' pool, a big fish remains.
“Year in and year out, Benet is the team to beat in the ESCC,” Dons coach Mike Smith said. “They have either won or tied for the conference title eight out of the last 10 years. The last time there was a state playoffs in 2019 they won the (Class AA) state title.
“They do not have off years. They are always in the conversation for the ESCC and making a far run in the state playoffs.”
Notre Dame is now also very much in that title discussion. The proof comes at noon Saturday, when the Dons (17-1-2, 8-0-0 in the ESCC) and host Redwings (11-4-1, 7-0-0) square off for what should decide the league crown.
For all the strategies and talented players that will decide matters, there are intangibles.
“Belief is a big factor too,” Smith said. “We keep telling our guys, you earned this opportunity. Yes, they (Benet) are a great team. But so are we.
“We saw it in 2019 with qualifying for a super(sectional), again last spring finishing second in conference with a 6-2-1 ESCC record, and now again this fall with all the accomplishments thus far (numerous team records including the conference wins record previously set last spring).
But as with many of their ESCC brethren, the Dons have found Benet to be a big hurdle. The Redwings won last spring’s COVID-delayed battle 3-1, and also won in the huge 2019 season for both sides by a 6-0 score.
But now it’s a new year with new challenges for both sides.
“ND has proven they can score and find ways to win games,” Benet coach Sean Wesley said. “The key for us (is to) be ruthless in the the box. When we create chances we will need to make them count.”
The Redwings have played a who’s-who of top opponents this fall, with losses to Class 3A powers Morton, Libertyville, Plainfield East and Naperville North. Two of those were by one goal, and Benet has 1-0 wins over quality 3A sides Lyons and 2019 Class 3A state champion West Chicago, and tied Naperville Central 2-2 earlier this week.
“Our nonconference schedule this year has been one big game after the next,” Wesley said. “Hopefully, it means that we have the experience and maturity to know what it takes to win these type of games (vs. Notre Dame).”
On the Dons side, Smith recognizes the challenge.
“They are organized, disciplined and have firepower in the attack,” he said of Benet. “They have great size and defensive players who can get up on set pieces and be dangerous.
“We always seem to struggle on their grass field when we play at their place. We know we need to adjust our style a bit and adapt, and regardless of the surface, we have to go out and play quality soccer.”
A core of players have been particularly big for Benet of late, and loom large Saturday.
“Nick Roe in the back and Daniel Pepping in the middle have been rocks for us in games like this,” Wesley said. “We’ll need our attacking players (Nico) Picha, (T.J.) McVey, (Andy) Nash, (John) Kolb and our role guys to play together, share the ball, and have a quick tempo to our passing and movement which should lead to chances in the final third.”
The Dons have their own crucial factors.
“For us,” Smith said, “the keys to the game will be playing team soccer, bringing energy from the first whistle and putting together a complete 80 minutes. When you play against Benet, you can't come out flat and you can't take breaks from bringing everything you got in the tank. They are too good and will make you pay. We must take advantage of our opportunities, be definitive in our clearances in our box on set pieces and be efficient with our passing in the final third.”
As the showdown approaches, Smith is soaking in the historical importance.
“Along with tournaments and the state playoffs, this is what high school soccer is all about, embracing amazing moments like the one ahead tomorrow. Our final game of the conference season with an ESCC title on the line.
“We know in the past there have been consistent conference powers (Benet, Saint Viator, Carmel). In the last few years, I think us, St. Pat's and Marist have done a great job to bridge the gap and get into that conversation too. Last spring and this fall, we beat Marist and Saint Viator for the first time in over 20 years. We hope we can put together a full 80 at Benet's house tomorrow and add one more team to that list.”
It’s been an impressive rise by the Dons to this stature.
“During those 10 years, we have gone from a team averaging 1-2 wins in the ESCC from 2010-2015 to a team getting in the conversation for top 3/4 in conference in the last few years,” Smith said. “With us getting more competitive, it is a bit of a newer rivalry. We had a great game in the spring at our home place (they won 3-1), but it was an awesome playoff-like environment. Both teams batted hard and played great in front of a big crowd.
“I have so much respect for Sean Wesley. He is a friend and a mentor. Sean has done a tremendous job at Benet and established a program with kids of skill but more importantly kids that act the right way. We love to compete on the field, and we embrace the battles our boys have when they play.
"But after the conference season is over, we root for each other to do well. We were bummed when we fell in our super in 2019, but I was happy to see them represent the ESCC and take the state title. It's one of the things I love about our conference.
"All of our coaches are competitive and want to achieve success, but when we hit the state playoffs, we are pulling for each other to go deep into the state tourney. Hats off to Sean and his staff for the tremendous job they have done with Benet soccer.”
A tip of the lid goes to several Dons as well.
“In the defensive third, our goalkeeper Luca Lobianco has been excellent as of late,” Smith said, “managing the game well and stepping up to make big saves when called upon.
"In the back, center back and captain Paul Harris anchors our defensive unit. He has always been solid back there, but this year he is stepping up to contribute offensively as well (six goals, four assists). His backline mate Martin Krug has been tremendous all year, squaring up against opponents' best attacking players and consistently winning aerial battles. Those two along with our other defenders (Jack Plovanich, Aiden Kemora, Frank DiFillippo) have to play one of their best games of the year tomorrow.
"In the mid and up-top, Freddy Krug (25 goals, 14 assists) has scored or assisted in every game he has played in this season, including a goal in every ESCC game but one. Meanwhile, central defensive midfielder Andy Barrezueta has scored or assisted in the last nine games and has a total of 15 goals, 11 assists this year. Along with Freddy and Andy, central defensive midfielder Daniel Deano (six goals, seven assists) and forward Trevor Johnson (nine goals, three assists) have both been consistent contributors for us this year. Our wing players Zach Martin and Mike Ziemba, along with Mike Shanahan in the middle, have been consistent contributors on both sides of the ball."have been constant contributors on both sides of the ball