Warriors go long to defeat Benet
Wheaton Academy's Luke Partain obliged one of his coach's recent requests on Wednesday, scoring twice from beyond 18 yards in a 4-1 win over Benet in West Chicago.
One of the topics of conversation lately between Warriors coach Dave Underwood and his boys soccer team has concerned the value of putting shots on frame from long range.
"A lot of times we've been hanging on for that extra pass, and a lot of times that kills the attack," Underwood said. "We've talked about pulling the trigger and seeing what happens."
In a first half controlled by the Warriors (12-3-4), Partain teed off from 25 yards out and hit a shot that tore in off a defender, giving his squad a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Benet battled well throughout the second half before Partain made it 2-0 in the 54th minute on a shot from 20 yards out that bent inside the post. Andrew Knighten scored his 20th goal of the season one minute later to make it 3-0.
Benet (6-9-1) got its lone goal in the 58th minute when D.J. Berry sent in a long free kick that Kevin Kron located and hammered home near the goalmouth. Tommy Fuller finished the night's scoring for Wheaton Academy from point-blank range off a Warriors corner kick in the 67th minute.
It's tough to steer a ship without a captain, and while Benet was missing all three of its captains due to injury, the Redwings gave coach Henry Wind a strong effort throughout the contest.
"We did OK with the kids we had out there. They played hard," Wind said. "We just made a couple bad mistakes in the back on their third and fourth goals."
Wind applauded the play of George Elliot, Jason Heming and D.J. Berry on Wednesday. While Underwood cited some sporadically sloppy play from his side, one player stood out.
"I thought (Partain) had a really good night tonight," Underwood said. "He had a couple goals and an assist, and he played well."
Afterward, Knighten was asked how his squad got motivated to play a nonconference, late-season game with no sectional ramifications.
"Because it's Benet," Knighten said. "We've either tied or lost to them for too many years."
"It's been a long, long time," Underwood added. "We've tied them a couple times over the past several years, but it's been a while.
"Tonight wasn't pretty, but the goals go up on the scoreboard just the same. We'll take it."
-- Gary Larsen
Girls volleyball
Downers South d. Hinsdale Central:ŒChristine Bowe spiked 7 kills and Kelsey Safranek added 4 for the Mustangs (22-5), who won 25-22, 25-15 in a West Suburban Conference crossover match.
Marian Central d. Montini:ŒStephanie Viane and Danielle Fracasso each had 3 kills and combined for 21 digs for the Broncos (15-15-2, 5-7), who lost 25-16, 25-17 in the Suburban Catholic Conference.
Aurora Central d. Driscoll:ŒThe Highlanders (4-22, 1-10) were edged 25-23, 24-26, 27-25 in a Suburban Catholic Conference marathon despite Bridget Delboccio's 9 kills and 4 aces and Danielle Harkins' 5 kills.