Benet draws even with Bolingbrook

There was the big highlight - Benet sophomore Nicholas Trakszelis scoring his first header goal of the season.

And there was the lowlight - a defensive breakdown in the back that resulted in a successful penalty kick by Bolingbrook senior Luis Flores.

Those two plays were the biggest ones of the game on Monday as Benet departed Bolingbrook with a 1-1 tie.

The Redwings can only wonder how the results would've been better if they only took better advantage of their chances.

"If there is anything we harp on, it's capitalizing on the chances that we're going to create because of the talent we have," Benet coach Sean Wesley said. "We're getting into the final third and getting opportunities to shoot the ball in, and when we can be successful and hit the frame, we're pretty dangerous."

Jacob Graiber hit the post with a shot in the game's first 10 minutes which pretty much suggested it was going to be one of those nights for the Redwings.

They controlled play for most of the first half, playing with the wind to their backs. They finally got on the board on Trakszelis' goal during a set play.

"I was just happy to put it on net, seriously," he said. "I don't score a lot of headers so it was nice to score."

Bolingbrook (8-1-1), which had shut out three of its previous four opponents, missed a great chance with 27:45 remaining. Flores snagged a rebound near the top of the penalty area but appeared to rush his shot and fired too high.

He would get taken down though midway through the second half though and convert his penalty kick.

"We made a silly mistake there letting the ball get over the top," Wesley said. "We had no cover in the back and you can never leave a guy on an island against one of their best players. It's easy to look at the ref and blame him, but if we look at ourselves and do what we need to do, it never happens."

The penalty was one thing; the eight missed chances were another.

"We really need to focus on what we need to control," Wesley said. "If we put those 9 shots on frame we probably win this game, and no referee can take those shots away."

Benet (4-3-1) nearly pulled in front on a header from Richard Michalak in the game's final minutes, but his shot was batted away from keeper, Colin Magdziarz, and the Redwings couldn't take advantage of their ensuing corner kick.

Erick Gonzalez had a similar opportunity for the Raiders, but Benet defender Bennett Curtis beautifully blocked his shot.

"It was a good game," Trakszelis said. "Real intense toward the end. We wanted to win, but a draw is all right, I guess."

Benet continues to get better and its talent is apparent.

"I think we're getting to our full potential soon," Benet junior Connor Mote said. "We got off to a rough start this year, but the team is really bonding more now and I think we'll be able to move forward."