Benet-Oswego East meet in
dandy Naperville Invitational opener
By Matt Le Cren
The last time the Naperville Invitational was held, in 2019, Benet advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time.
The Redwings went on to win the Class AA state championship.
Three years later, Benet again has designs on capturing the AA title. But if the Redwings, who are ranked 17th in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, are to advance to the Naperville Invitational quarterfinals, they will have to beat no. 15 Oswego East and no. 9 St. Charles North on back-to-back nights.
“We pretty much got put in the Group of Death for this tournament,” Benet coach Gerard Oconer said. “But those are the games we’re looking forward to playing, because then we’ll really be tested and see where we’re at at that point of the season.”
Oconer is not exaggerating about the difficulty of Benet’s pool. It is the only of the eight groups to feature three-ranked teams. St. Charles North (7-1-0) is a traditional power, and Oswego East (8-1-0) has gone 22-2-0 since the start of last season.
The Redwings (9-2-0) open with Oswego East at 7 p.m. Thursday at Naperville Central’s Memorial Stadium.
“We’ve seen plenty of Oswego East in the summer, so we know how talented they are, especially offensively,” Oconer said. “It’s certainly going to be a challenge because in every spot up-front and in the midfield, they’re talented and dynamic.
“They are a threat to score from so many different positions. It will certainly be a challenge for our midfielders, our defenders and our goalkeeper to be able to hold them at bay.”
Oswego East is riding an eight-game winning streak since losing 1-0 to current no. 2 Naperville Central in the season opener on this same field. That skein includes quality wins over no. 21 Plainfield North and Hinsdale Central. They’ve allowed only two goals since then; junior goalkeeper Sam McPhee has a 0.67 goals-against average.
Oswego East’s offense is led by sophomore midfielders Anya Gulbrandsen, who has seven goals and four assists, and Riley Gumm, who has bagged six goals with six assists. Junior forward Erika Smiley has six goals and two assists, and senior Mikayla Lambert has five goals and one assist.
Senior midfielder Taylor English returned from the club ranks and has three goals and two assists.
“The problem with them is that you can’t really pick just one, because I would say they have at least 4-5 players that at any given moment, even when nothing is happening, they can create something on their own,” Oconer said. “Erika Smily, English, Riley Gumm, Anya Gulbrandsen. They are dangerous any time they touch the ball.”
Benet isn’t as balanced offensively but will have the most dangerous offensive player on the field in Lewis-bound striker Mariana Pinto. The senior has 14 goals and four assists, including eight goals in the last three games.
Junior midfielder Rachel Burns, junior forward Gabi DiMatteo and senior midfielder Kate Lewellyan are next with four goals each. Junior Sadie Sterbenz leads a solid backline and has been dangerous attacking from her outside back position.
Benet hasn’t lost since March when it’s losses came at the Wheaton North Kickoff Classic: a 2-1 decision to no. 12 Metea Valley and a 1-0 defeat by no. 24 Glenbard West. The Redwings have since won seven -straight, including victories over no. 21 and Plainfield Classic champion Plainfield North, no. 23 and Porter Cup winne Wheaton North and no. 18 Oak Park and River Forest.
Pinto scored both of Benet’s goals in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Oak Park and River Forest, while junior goalkeeper Shannon Clark impressed with a season-high nine saves.
“Usually when it gets physical and she has a lot of action, especially on the crosses, that’s when she’s at her best,” Oconer said of Clark, who has allowed seven goals and posted five shutouts. “When she is locked in, there is nothing short of miraculous that’s going to get past her.”
While the Redwings will have an uphill battle to get to the quarterfinals, Oconer isn’t bothered by the tough draw. The Redwings are glad just to get a chance to showcase their skills.
“All that we care about is being able to play the games,” Oconer said. “We’re lucky that the games are on turf because that’s been an ongoing issue with us at Benet, just getting on the field to practice.”
dandy Naperville Invitational opener
By Matt Le Cren
The last time the Naperville Invitational was held, in 2019, Benet advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time.
The Redwings went on to win the Class AA state championship.
Three years later, Benet again has designs on capturing the AA title. But if the Redwings, who are ranked 17th in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, are to advance to the Naperville Invitational quarterfinals, they will have to beat no. 15 Oswego East and no. 9 St. Charles North on back-to-back nights.
“We pretty much got put in the Group of Death for this tournament,” Benet coach Gerard Oconer said. “But those are the games we’re looking forward to playing, because then we’ll really be tested and see where we’re at at that point of the season.”
Oconer is not exaggerating about the difficulty of Benet’s pool. It is the only of the eight groups to feature three-ranked teams. St. Charles North (7-1-0) is a traditional power, and Oswego East (8-1-0) has gone 22-2-0 since the start of last season.
The Redwings (9-2-0) open with Oswego East at 7 p.m. Thursday at Naperville Central’s Memorial Stadium.
“We’ve seen plenty of Oswego East in the summer, so we know how talented they are, especially offensively,” Oconer said. “It’s certainly going to be a challenge because in every spot up-front and in the midfield, they’re talented and dynamic.
“They are a threat to score from so many different positions. It will certainly be a challenge for our midfielders, our defenders and our goalkeeper to be able to hold them at bay.”
Oswego East is riding an eight-game winning streak since losing 1-0 to current no. 2 Naperville Central in the season opener on this same field. That skein includes quality wins over no. 21 Plainfield North and Hinsdale Central. They’ve allowed only two goals since then; junior goalkeeper Sam McPhee has a 0.67 goals-against average.
Oswego East’s offense is led by sophomore midfielders Anya Gulbrandsen, who has seven goals and four assists, and Riley Gumm, who has bagged six goals with six assists. Junior forward Erika Smiley has six goals and two assists, and senior Mikayla Lambert has five goals and one assist.
Senior midfielder Taylor English returned from the club ranks and has three goals and two assists.
“The problem with them is that you can’t really pick just one, because I would say they have at least 4-5 players that at any given moment, even when nothing is happening, they can create something on their own,” Oconer said. “Erika Smily, English, Riley Gumm, Anya Gulbrandsen. They are dangerous any time they touch the ball.”
Benet isn’t as balanced offensively but will have the most dangerous offensive player on the field in Lewis-bound striker Mariana Pinto. The senior has 14 goals and four assists, including eight goals in the last three games.
Junior midfielder Rachel Burns, junior forward Gabi DiMatteo and senior midfielder Kate Lewellyan are next with four goals each. Junior Sadie Sterbenz leads a solid backline and has been dangerous attacking from her outside back position.
Benet hasn’t lost since March when it’s losses came at the Wheaton North Kickoff Classic: a 2-1 decision to no. 12 Metea Valley and a 1-0 defeat by no. 24 Glenbard West. The Redwings have since won seven -straight, including victories over no. 21 and Plainfield Classic champion Plainfield North, no. 23 and Porter Cup winne Wheaton North and no. 18 Oak Park and River Forest.
Pinto scored both of Benet’s goals in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Oak Park and River Forest, while junior goalkeeper Shannon Clark impressed with a season-high nine saves.
“Usually when it gets physical and she has a lot of action, especially on the crosses, that’s when she’s at her best,” Oconer said of Clark, who has allowed seven goals and posted five shutouts. “When she is locked in, there is nothing short of miraculous that’s going to get past her.”
While the Redwings will have an uphill battle to get to the quarterfinals, Oconer isn’t bothered by the tough draw. The Redwings are glad just to get a chance to showcase their skills.
“All that we care about is being able to play the games,” Oconer said. “We’re lucky that the games are on turf because that’s been an ongoing issue with us at Benet, just getting on the field to practice.”