Carmel-St. Viator in crucial rivalry renewal
By Mike Garofola
Since the beginning of time, or so it seems, Benet, Carmel and Saint Viator have had a stranglehold on the East Suburban Catholic Conference. Their domination is such that at least one member of the trio has lifted the big trophy in all but two years since the league formed in 1990.
St. Joseph, now in the Chicago Catholic League, is the only other school to win the ESCC outright. The Chargers did it with a sectional winner in 1993 and a state qualifer in 1994. The Westchester school also earned a share of the title in 1996 and 2001.
Overall, Benet has earned an ESCC title 13 times with six of them outright. Saint Viator (11, seven) and Carmel (seven, two including the first) follow behind on the overall list. Benet is on the best recent streak, with at least a share to the title in 5 of the last 6 years.
At 4:30 Wednesday in Arlington Heights, Carmel (11-2-0 overall) and Saint Viator (6-10-2) meet once again with the goal of moving the needle in their favor with another conference crown.
After Monday's 4-1 win versus Marian Central, Carmel sits atop the league with a 6-1-0 record and 18 points. Benet (5-1-0) and Marist (5-3-0) sit in second with 15 points. Saint Viator stalks in fourth with the league's only remaining undefeated record at 4-0-2 and 14 points.
Click here to see ESCC conference standings
Carmel is left to lament the fact it squandered a chance at home to remain undefeated in the league.
"That loss to Benet (1-0 on Sept. 22) was a heartbreaker," said Ray Krawzak, the manager of 19th-ranked Carmel.
"One mistake cost us in that game. We gave up a bad goal. Benet packed it in and stopped attacking altogether.
"We got in and around them on several occasions, and Benet took two off the line to save them. It was rough."
The loss not only ended the Corsairs eight-game winning streak but also saw the chances of Krawzak's alma mater, Saint Viator, come alive here in the final 10 days of the regular season.
"Playing Saint Viator is always a big, important game every season," began Krawzak, who in 2003 played on the Lions state championship team under its longtime manager Mike Taylor.
"The message to the boys is the same we have before every ESCC game: 'This is your conference championship.'
"We all know in order to be the league champion, the team that wins it all can only afford one or two losses. You have to be near perfect. So far, we've been very close, but you have to show up and play against everyone."
Senior Rob Rao, who has already committed to play at DePaul University next fall knows the history between Carmel and Saint Viator, and what a fierce rivalry can do to a club if it allows it to consume them.
"We all know coach Krawzak played there, and how much it means for both teams to win this game. To be honest, we have to treat (it) like it's just another game when we go there," said Rao shortly after the Corsairs defeated Marian Catholic 4-1 on Monday to send he and his mates into Wednesday on their front foot.
"It's all about getting the result we need and nothing else. So we have to play our game, be smart and composed, and if we do, I know we can come away with a win."
Rao said the Corsairs began to come into their own after they lost their season opener to previously ranked Round Lake. An eight-game win streak ensued and the new faces meshed with the veteran faces. The different styles and personalities came together to form one solid unit that is capable of going far in the final weeks of the season.
The loss to to Benet gave the Corsairs a reality check.
"Benet was a tough one to lose, we played well enough to win. But in soccer, you have to finish your chances. And although we created a bunch of them, none of them ended up in the back of their net."
The Benet contest was the Corsairs third game in as many days, a scheduling challenge that tested the depth and meddle of Krawzaks' men.
"The great thing about these guys is that they are fit, which allowed them to be able to handle that much play that week and what's ahead of them this week," said the Carmel manager.
Krawzak has plenty of attacking weapons to lean on, as well as strength along the back beginning with his keeper Kyle Knauer.
"Rao is our top player, a tremendous attacking center midfielder, who will play at a Division I school next year, but we're also very fortunate to have several terrific players to surround him to be the support system in our club," says Krawzak.
"Knauer may be our second best player. His positioning, and reaction times are something other keepers simply don't have.
"Henry (Barnes) and Austin (Ehren) are our other attackers, Henry at the wing, Austin up-top."
"Austin is a pure goal scorer with speed and composure, which has allowed him to score more goals than anyone in our program over his four years with the varsity.
"Henry is a rising star whose come into his own this season, and his pace and talent on the outside has helped us big-time."
The Corsairs have been a stingy bunch of late along the back. Besides the aforementioned Knauer, Krawzak points to Brett Cloe as the reason for that success.
"Brett stands strong as he overpowers the competition. He is a huge guy who uses his body to get control of any and all balls sent into the box, and he has been a driving force during the second half of the season."
A win over Saint Viator would officially end the hopes of the Lions, who could still have the last word on who lifts the championship trophy when they close out the ESCC's schedule against Benet on October 13.
"If we want the chance to win the ESCC each year, you have to go through what I call the 'Big 2', and that's Benet and Carmel, and this year is no different," said Mike Taylor before a Monday training with his club in advance of the contest with Carmel. "Only we're in a 'win-out' situation right now because of the two games we drew with St. Patrick and Notre Dame earlier."
By Mike Garofola
Since the beginning of time, or so it seems, Benet, Carmel and Saint Viator have had a stranglehold on the East Suburban Catholic Conference. Their domination is such that at least one member of the trio has lifted the big trophy in all but two years since the league formed in 1990.
St. Joseph, now in the Chicago Catholic League, is the only other school to win the ESCC outright. The Chargers did it with a sectional winner in 1993 and a state qualifer in 1994. The Westchester school also earned a share of the title in 1996 and 2001.
Overall, Benet has earned an ESCC title 13 times with six of them outright. Saint Viator (11, seven) and Carmel (seven, two including the first) follow behind on the overall list. Benet is on the best recent streak, with at least a share to the title in 5 of the last 6 years.
At 4:30 Wednesday in Arlington Heights, Carmel (11-2-0 overall) and Saint Viator (6-10-2) meet once again with the goal of moving the needle in their favor with another conference crown.
After Monday's 4-1 win versus Marian Central, Carmel sits atop the league with a 6-1-0 record and 18 points. Benet (5-1-0) and Marist (5-3-0) sit in second with 15 points. Saint Viator stalks in fourth with the league's only remaining undefeated record at 4-0-2 and 14 points.
Click here to see ESCC conference standings
Carmel is left to lament the fact it squandered a chance at home to remain undefeated in the league.
"That loss to Benet (1-0 on Sept. 22) was a heartbreaker," said Ray Krawzak, the manager of 19th-ranked Carmel.
"One mistake cost us in that game. We gave up a bad goal. Benet packed it in and stopped attacking altogether.
"We got in and around them on several occasions, and Benet took two off the line to save them. It was rough."
The loss not only ended the Corsairs eight-game winning streak but also saw the chances of Krawzak's alma mater, Saint Viator, come alive here in the final 10 days of the regular season.
"Playing Saint Viator is always a big, important game every season," began Krawzak, who in 2003 played on the Lions state championship team under its longtime manager Mike Taylor.
"The message to the boys is the same we have before every ESCC game: 'This is your conference championship.'
"We all know in order to be the league champion, the team that wins it all can only afford one or two losses. You have to be near perfect. So far, we've been very close, but you have to show up and play against everyone."
Senior Rob Rao, who has already committed to play at DePaul University next fall knows the history between Carmel and Saint Viator, and what a fierce rivalry can do to a club if it allows it to consume them.
"We all know coach Krawzak played there, and how much it means for both teams to win this game. To be honest, we have to treat (it) like it's just another game when we go there," said Rao shortly after the Corsairs defeated Marian Catholic 4-1 on Monday to send he and his mates into Wednesday on their front foot.
"It's all about getting the result we need and nothing else. So we have to play our game, be smart and composed, and if we do, I know we can come away with a win."
Rao said the Corsairs began to come into their own after they lost their season opener to previously ranked Round Lake. An eight-game win streak ensued and the new faces meshed with the veteran faces. The different styles and personalities came together to form one solid unit that is capable of going far in the final weeks of the season.
The loss to to Benet gave the Corsairs a reality check.
"Benet was a tough one to lose, we played well enough to win. But in soccer, you have to finish your chances. And although we created a bunch of them, none of them ended up in the back of their net."
The Benet contest was the Corsairs third game in as many days, a scheduling challenge that tested the depth and meddle of Krawzaks' men.
"The great thing about these guys is that they are fit, which allowed them to be able to handle that much play that week and what's ahead of them this week," said the Carmel manager.
Krawzak has plenty of attacking weapons to lean on, as well as strength along the back beginning with his keeper Kyle Knauer.
"Rao is our top player, a tremendous attacking center midfielder, who will play at a Division I school next year, but we're also very fortunate to have several terrific players to surround him to be the support system in our club," says Krawzak.
"Knauer may be our second best player. His positioning, and reaction times are something other keepers simply don't have.
"Henry (Barnes) and Austin (Ehren) are our other attackers, Henry at the wing, Austin up-top."
"Austin is a pure goal scorer with speed and composure, which has allowed him to score more goals than anyone in our program over his four years with the varsity.
"Henry is a rising star whose come into his own this season, and his pace and talent on the outside has helped us big-time."
The Corsairs have been a stingy bunch of late along the back. Besides the aforementioned Knauer, Krawzak points to Brett Cloe as the reason for that success.
"Brett stands strong as he overpowers the competition. He is a huge guy who uses his body to get control of any and all balls sent into the box, and he has been a driving force during the second half of the season."
A win over Saint Viator would officially end the hopes of the Lions, who could still have the last word on who lifts the championship trophy when they close out the ESCC's schedule against Benet on October 13.
"If we want the chance to win the ESCC each year, you have to go through what I call the 'Big 2', and that's Benet and Carmel, and this year is no different," said Mike Taylor before a Monday training with his club in advance of the contest with Carmel. "Only we're in a 'win-out' situation right now because of the two games we drew with St. Patrick and Notre Dame earlier."