Benet focused on taking 1 step
at a time as it travels to Saint Viator
By Bobby Narang
Benet senior forward John Kolb is not looking ahead to the playoffs.
The Redwings have one final game before beginning their first foray into the postseason since the 2019 season. As we all recall, the coronavirus pandemic led to the cancellation of the fall 2020 campaign and an abbreviated, playoff-less seven-week season last spring.
The Redwings, ranked no. 14 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, travel to play Saint Viator on Friday at 4:30 p.m. for their East Suburban Catholic Conference and regular-season finale.
Benet (11-5-1, 7-1-0) would love nothing better than to build some momentum for the playoffs, especially after dropping a 3-1 decision and the conference title to now 10th-ranked Notre Dame on Saturday in Lisle.
“Friday’s game is very important to our playoff run,” Kolb said. “Getting a good result will be a good way to give us a running start into the postseason. We have learned many things from playing such a hard schedule this year: how to deal with being down a goal; how to keep our heads, under pressure.
“These are things that practice cannot teach, so going into the playoffs with these are definitely an advantage. These good teams showed us what we needed to work on, so we have been able to improve more and more all season.”
Saint Viator (5-9-0, 3-4-0) opened the season with a rough stretch. The Lions lost to Stevenson, Lake Zurich, Hersey and Notre Dame en route to an early 1-4-0 record. But those tough early results were followed by a three-game winning streak.
Saint Viator can score goals, but stopping Benet's attack is a key factor in Friday’s game.
The Redwings have expectations for a playoff run. But the defending Class AA state champion, will find a bumpier road after a step up in class.
The goal remains a berth in the state title game Nov. 6 at Hoffman Estates High School. This time the target trophy has Class 3A engraved on it.
Benet’s seed, no. 2, in the Morton Sectional shows it belongs.
The Redwings open the playoffs against 15-seed Proviso East in an Argo Regional semifinal at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 19. With a win they would face the (7) Young/(9) Argo winner on Oct. 23.
Benet coach Sean Wesley said his players can use the disappointment from not winning the conference as motivation.
“I think our schedule and results have proved to us that we can play at the highest level in the state, giving us a chance at making a deep run. But it has also shown us our weaknesses,” he said. “With this year’s team, it’s a very fine line. When we’re working hard and doing things right, we can play great, but when we’re not at our best, we can be very average.
“I think we’re all disappointed we can’t win the conference. But we realize the season is almost over, and we only have so many more opportunities to play and be together.
“It’s time to make the most out of every chance we get. If we put the team first and max out our attitude and effort, the talent is there to make a run.”
On an experienced, senior-laden team, Kolb is one of the leading players behind Benet’s quest to repeat. The Redwings did not allow a single goal in seven playoff games in 2019, winning the program’s first state championship since recording back-to-back Class A titles in 2000 and 2001.
Kolb’s strong play has been a big factor in the team’s success.
“At the end of the day, we want to be able to look back and be able to say we gave it all we had,” Kolb said. “I believe that as a team, if every single player is willing to give 110 percent no matter what his role is, we will be able to do great things in the upcoming weeks.
“It has been fun to score some goals this season, and I’m happy with how I’ve been playing. But it’s not about me as much as the team. When I score, the team scores. We win as a team and lose as a team. We would rather lift a state trophy together than one player receive some awards.”
Wesley said the Redwings have to be ruthless in the box, share the ball in the final third and make the most of their chances to beat Saint Viator.
The coach noted several players are performing at a high level late in the season.
“Nick Roe has been amazing in the back for us this year,” he said. “He’s maybe one of the best defenders in the state. Dan Pepping in the middle is the heart and soul of the team. He’s the hardest working player we have, just selfless and a team-first player all the time.
“If T.J. McVey, Andy Nash and Nico Picha can find the balance, share the ball and be creative in moments, we’re really dangerous going forward.”
Saint Viator received the no. 14 seed in the Class AA Vernon Hills Sectional. The Lions battle no. 3-seed and regional host Grayslake Central in a semifinal at 5 p.m., Oct. 19.
at a time as it travels to Saint Viator
By Bobby Narang
Benet senior forward John Kolb is not looking ahead to the playoffs.
The Redwings have one final game before beginning their first foray into the postseason since the 2019 season. As we all recall, the coronavirus pandemic led to the cancellation of the fall 2020 campaign and an abbreviated, playoff-less seven-week season last spring.
The Redwings, ranked no. 14 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, travel to play Saint Viator on Friday at 4:30 p.m. for their East Suburban Catholic Conference and regular-season finale.
Benet (11-5-1, 7-1-0) would love nothing better than to build some momentum for the playoffs, especially after dropping a 3-1 decision and the conference title to now 10th-ranked Notre Dame on Saturday in Lisle.
“Friday’s game is very important to our playoff run,” Kolb said. “Getting a good result will be a good way to give us a running start into the postseason. We have learned many things from playing such a hard schedule this year: how to deal with being down a goal; how to keep our heads, under pressure.
“These are things that practice cannot teach, so going into the playoffs with these are definitely an advantage. These good teams showed us what we needed to work on, so we have been able to improve more and more all season.”
Saint Viator (5-9-0, 3-4-0) opened the season with a rough stretch. The Lions lost to Stevenson, Lake Zurich, Hersey and Notre Dame en route to an early 1-4-0 record. But those tough early results were followed by a three-game winning streak.
Saint Viator can score goals, but stopping Benet's attack is a key factor in Friday’s game.
The Redwings have expectations for a playoff run. But the defending Class AA state champion, will find a bumpier road after a step up in class.
The goal remains a berth in the state title game Nov. 6 at Hoffman Estates High School. This time the target trophy has Class 3A engraved on it.
Benet’s seed, no. 2, in the Morton Sectional shows it belongs.
The Redwings open the playoffs against 15-seed Proviso East in an Argo Regional semifinal at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 19. With a win they would face the (7) Young/(9) Argo winner on Oct. 23.
Benet coach Sean Wesley said his players can use the disappointment from not winning the conference as motivation.
“I think our schedule and results have proved to us that we can play at the highest level in the state, giving us a chance at making a deep run. But it has also shown us our weaknesses,” he said. “With this year’s team, it’s a very fine line. When we’re working hard and doing things right, we can play great, but when we’re not at our best, we can be very average.
“I think we’re all disappointed we can’t win the conference. But we realize the season is almost over, and we only have so many more opportunities to play and be together.
“It’s time to make the most out of every chance we get. If we put the team first and max out our attitude and effort, the talent is there to make a run.”
On an experienced, senior-laden team, Kolb is one of the leading players behind Benet’s quest to repeat. The Redwings did not allow a single goal in seven playoff games in 2019, winning the program’s first state championship since recording back-to-back Class A titles in 2000 and 2001.
Kolb’s strong play has been a big factor in the team’s success.
“At the end of the day, we want to be able to look back and be able to say we gave it all we had,” Kolb said. “I believe that as a team, if every single player is willing to give 110 percent no matter what his role is, we will be able to do great things in the upcoming weeks.
“It has been fun to score some goals this season, and I’m happy with how I’ve been playing. But it’s not about me as much as the team. When I score, the team scores. We win as a team and lose as a team. We would rather lift a state trophy together than one player receive some awards.”
Wesley said the Redwings have to be ruthless in the box, share the ball in the final third and make the most of their chances to beat Saint Viator.
The coach noted several players are performing at a high level late in the season.
“Nick Roe has been amazing in the back for us this year,” he said. “He’s maybe one of the best defenders in the state. Dan Pepping in the middle is the heart and soul of the team. He’s the hardest working player we have, just selfless and a team-first player all the time.
“If T.J. McVey, Andy Nash and Nico Picha can find the balance, share the ball and be creative in moments, we’re really dangerous going forward.”
Saint Viator received the no. 14 seed in the Class AA Vernon Hills Sectional. The Lions battle no. 3-seed and regional host Grayslake Central in a semifinal at 5 p.m., Oct. 19.