Benet, Carmel draw a bead on league title
By Dave Owen
Saturday’s high noon match between Benet (14-2-2, 7-0) and Carmel (13-1, 9-0) in Mundelein marks a virtually certain conference title showdown between teams with perfect ESCC records.
The Redwings are ranked 12th in the Chicagoland Soccer poll, and the Corsairs 16th. While Benet has two ESCC games left after Saturday (Monday at Marian Central and Tuesday against Fenwick), it marks Carmel’s league finale.
“This should be a very competitive game versus Carmel,” Benet coach Bob Gros said. “They seem to be a hot team, and are always very well coached.”
Coach John Halloran’s squad has won 10 games in a row since their only setback, an April 1 loss against Lake Zurich. The Corsairs’ perfect league record includes a 6-1 win over Saint Viator 10 days ago, in which star striker McKenzie Runyan scored a hat trick.
Sweeper Haley Miller and goalkeeper Christina O’Block are part of a strong Carmel defense.
After an 11-0-1 start to the season, Benet’s challenging recent schedule has included losses to New Trier and Loyola. Those tough matchups should have the talented Redwings ready for their biggest ESCC test.
"Home field is always an advantage,” Gros said of his team’s trek to the far northern suburbs. “Controlling transition and finishing chances will be the keys on Saturday.”
The Redwings have had numerous standout individual performances as they gear up for a run at their fourth-straight regional title.
“Ellie Bumpus at defensive mid, Sophia Elbchiri at flanker, (winger) Jacquie Kaufman and (goalkeeper) Emma Hlavin are all playing very well and should impact the game for us,” Gros said.
The two teams’ paths diverge for the postseason. Carmel is in Class 2A, and Benet in 3A.
By Dave Owen
Saturday’s high noon match between Benet (14-2-2, 7-0) and Carmel (13-1, 9-0) in Mundelein marks a virtually certain conference title showdown between teams with perfect ESCC records.
The Redwings are ranked 12th in the Chicagoland Soccer poll, and the Corsairs 16th. While Benet has two ESCC games left after Saturday (Monday at Marian Central and Tuesday against Fenwick), it marks Carmel’s league finale.
“This should be a very competitive game versus Carmel,” Benet coach Bob Gros said. “They seem to be a hot team, and are always very well coached.”
Coach John Halloran’s squad has won 10 games in a row since their only setback, an April 1 loss against Lake Zurich. The Corsairs’ perfect league record includes a 6-1 win over Saint Viator 10 days ago, in which star striker McKenzie Runyan scored a hat trick.
Sweeper Haley Miller and goalkeeper Christina O’Block are part of a strong Carmel defense.
After an 11-0-1 start to the season, Benet’s challenging recent schedule has included losses to New Trier and Loyola. Those tough matchups should have the talented Redwings ready for their biggest ESCC test.
"Home field is always an advantage,” Gros said of his team’s trek to the far northern suburbs. “Controlling transition and finishing chances will be the keys on Saturday.”
The Redwings have had numerous standout individual performances as they gear up for a run at their fourth-straight regional title.
“Ellie Bumpus at defensive mid, Sophia Elbchiri at flanker, (winger) Jacquie Kaufman and (goalkeeper) Emma Hlavin are all playing very well and should impact the game for us,” Gros said.
The two teams’ paths diverge for the postseason. Carmel is in Class 2A, and Benet in 3A.