Class 3A Morton Sectional preview
(2) Lyons (17-0-0) at (1) Benet (18-0-0), 4:30 p.m.
By Curt Herron
There's always a great atmosphere for a match at Benet, but today's clash between these two teams is unlike any other in Illinois.
The Redwings host Lyons at 4:30 p.m. in Lisle in the lone sectional championship match in the state featuring two undefeated and untied teams.
Coach Bill Lanspeary's Lions have won all 17 of their matches while Benet, under coach Gerard Oconer, have captured 18-straight victories
The winner advances to Monday's Reavis Supersectional in Burbank where it will meet either one-loss (1) Sandburg or (2) Lincoln-Way Central, who play today in Orland Park.
Benet, the defending Class AA champion from 2019, seeks its third-straight sectional title and sixth overall. Lyons, which placed fourth in 3A in 2019, pursues the 14th sectional title in the program's rich history.
The West Suburban Conference powerhouse recorded 15-straight shutouts to open the season before yielding a goal against Jones in the Lions 4-1 win on June 5. They resumed their stingy ways with a 5-0 sectional semifinal victory over previously-unbeaten Downers Grove South.
The Redwings, who have allowed eight goals while posting 10 shutouts, earned their spot in the finals with a 4-1 semifinal win over Oak Park and River Forest.
Leading the way for Benet are senior Jaimee Cibulka (25 goals, 9 assists), junior Mariana Pinto (12, 10) and sophomores Rachel Burns (9, 6) and Anna Casmere (8, 7).
The Redwings also get significant contributions from senior Paige Neri (5, 10), junior Katie Lewellyan (4, 7) and sophomore goalkeeper Shannon Clark (0.39 goals against average,10 shutouts). Senior defender Brooke Pullen was on the title team and serves as a co-captain with Cibulka.
"We are excited about the challenge of playing against another top undefeated team in Lyons Township for the sectional championship," Oconer said.
"They are a rock-solid team at every position and will be extremely difficult to break down defensively because of how organized and disciplined they are. It should be a great game with a loud and enthusiastic crowd to support both teams."
The leaders of the Lyons attack are junior Eleanor Musgrove (12 goals) and seniors Jordan Lee-Caracci (11 goals) and Ava Dallavo (9 goals). Senior Elli Kosanovich leads the Lions' backline with classmate Lily Mattern, who was a member of the 2019 state team.
"This should be a great game," Lanspeary said. "This has been a great team all season long, but we know we'll have to be at our best to beat a very good Benet team."
(2) Lyons (17-0-0) at (1) Benet (18-0-0), 4:30 p.m.
By Curt Herron
There's always a great atmosphere for a match at Benet, but today's clash between these two teams is unlike any other in Illinois.
The Redwings host Lyons at 4:30 p.m. in Lisle in the lone sectional championship match in the state featuring two undefeated and untied teams.
Coach Bill Lanspeary's Lions have won all 17 of their matches while Benet, under coach Gerard Oconer, have captured 18-straight victories
The winner advances to Monday's Reavis Supersectional in Burbank where it will meet either one-loss (1) Sandburg or (2) Lincoln-Way Central, who play today in Orland Park.
Benet, the defending Class AA champion from 2019, seeks its third-straight sectional title and sixth overall. Lyons, which placed fourth in 3A in 2019, pursues the 14th sectional title in the program's rich history.
The West Suburban Conference powerhouse recorded 15-straight shutouts to open the season before yielding a goal against Jones in the Lions 4-1 win on June 5. They resumed their stingy ways with a 5-0 sectional semifinal victory over previously-unbeaten Downers Grove South.
The Redwings, who have allowed eight goals while posting 10 shutouts, earned their spot in the finals with a 4-1 semifinal win over Oak Park and River Forest.
Leading the way for Benet are senior Jaimee Cibulka (25 goals, 9 assists), junior Mariana Pinto (12, 10) and sophomores Rachel Burns (9, 6) and Anna Casmere (8, 7).
The Redwings also get significant contributions from senior Paige Neri (5, 10), junior Katie Lewellyan (4, 7) and sophomore goalkeeper Shannon Clark (0.39 goals against average,10 shutouts). Senior defender Brooke Pullen was on the title team and serves as a co-captain with Cibulka.
"We are excited about the challenge of playing against another top undefeated team in Lyons Township for the sectional championship," Oconer said.
"They are a rock-solid team at every position and will be extremely difficult to break down defensively because of how organized and disciplined they are. It should be a great game with a loud and enthusiastic crowd to support both teams."
The leaders of the Lyons attack are junior Eleanor Musgrove (12 goals) and seniors Jordan Lee-Caracci (11 goals) and Ava Dallavo (9 goals). Senior Elli Kosanovich leads the Lions' backline with classmate Lily Mattern, who was a member of the 2019 state team.
"This should be a great game," Lanspeary said. "This has been a great team all season long, but we know we'll have to be at our best to beat a very good Benet team."