Benet expects big test
from tourney host York
Soaring Redwings look to slay another WSC Silver foe
By Dave Owen
Benet meets its hosts in the opening match of the day at 11 a.m. Tuesday riding the momentum of a 3-0 start.
That streak includes wins over West Suburban Conference Silver Division opponents Oak Park-River Forest and Glenbard West, but coach Bob Gros expects a test from his team’s third early season foe from that league.
“York is a very solid soccer team, with a couple of strong attacking players,” Gros said. “They have good size. I’m expecting a hard-fought game against York.”
A 6-0 win over Joliet West on Monday opened York’s season.
The Lady Dukes rely on a trio of senior standouts: Defenders Jamie Kovatchis and Annalisa Lappo and midfielder/forward Alyssa Kovatchis have all started on the York varsity since freshmen year. Senior Emily Mueller is a third-year varsity veteran on the defensive line.
“They played their first game today (Monday), which I saw for about 30 minutes,” Gros said. “Joliet West was no match for them.”
Benet has already won state titles in girls volleyball and girls basketball this school year, and the Redwings’ soccer squad has big potential of its own.
Sophomore Kerry Abello has already scored nine goals in the first three games.
“On offense Kerry Abello and (junior) Ellie Bumpus have been the leaders,” Gros said. “On defense Sophia Elbchiri and Elena McCarthy have been solid.”
Elbchiri, Bumpus, Hannah Pfeiffer, Loretta Elder, Rachel Bernicky, Kate Hennessy, Jacquie Kaufman and goalkeeper Emma Hlavin have all been key parts of the last two of Benet’s three-straight regional championship teams. Fourth-year starter Hlavin also played on the state championship basketball squad.
While 2015 has started well, Gros is aiming higher.
“We’ve won our first three games,” he said. “However, we have a lot to improve on. Corner defense and clearing the ball must improve.”
from tourney host York
Soaring Redwings look to slay another WSC Silver foe
By Dave Owen
Benet meets its hosts in the opening match of the day at 11 a.m. Tuesday riding the momentum of a 3-0 start.
That streak includes wins over West Suburban Conference Silver Division opponents Oak Park-River Forest and Glenbard West, but coach Bob Gros expects a test from his team’s third early season foe from that league.
“York is a very solid soccer team, with a couple of strong attacking players,” Gros said. “They have good size. I’m expecting a hard-fought game against York.”
A 6-0 win over Joliet West on Monday opened York’s season.
The Lady Dukes rely on a trio of senior standouts: Defenders Jamie Kovatchis and Annalisa Lappo and midfielder/forward Alyssa Kovatchis have all started on the York varsity since freshmen year. Senior Emily Mueller is a third-year varsity veteran on the defensive line.
“They played their first game today (Monday), which I saw for about 30 minutes,” Gros said. “Joliet West was no match for them.”
Benet has already won state titles in girls volleyball and girls basketball this school year, and the Redwings’ soccer squad has big potential of its own.
Sophomore Kerry Abello has already scored nine goals in the first three games.
“On offense Kerry Abello and (junior) Ellie Bumpus have been the leaders,” Gros said. “On defense Sophia Elbchiri and Elena McCarthy have been solid.”
Elbchiri, Bumpus, Hannah Pfeiffer, Loretta Elder, Rachel Bernicky, Kate Hennessy, Jacquie Kaufman and goalkeeper Emma Hlavin have all been key parts of the last two of Benet’s three-straight regional championship teams. Fourth-year starter Hlavin also played on the state championship basketball squad.
While 2015 has started well, Gros is aiming higher.
“We’ve won our first three games,” he said. “However, we have a lot to improve on. Corner defense and clearing the ball must improve.”