St. Viator spoils it for Benet
One would be hard pressed to remember the last time St. Viator played the role of spoiler in boys soccer, but on Friday the Lions (17-4-1, 7-1-1) did just that.
With no chance at an ESCC title this season, the Lions sealed the fate of visiting Benet (10-6-2, 7-2-0) by defeating the Redwings 2-0 in the regular-season finale for both teams.
The victory bumped the hosts ahead of Benet and into second place, behind conference champion Carmel, which had ended St. Viator's league title hopes on Wednesday with a 2-0 defeat in Mundelein.
"If we couldn't play for the championship, we might as well be the spoiler this season," said Lions defensive captain Brendan King. "We had a one-hour team-only meeting with my brother (T.J.), who reminded all of us about what it was like when he played for a state championship team (with St. Viator) and what it takes to get that far in the tournament and everything associated with playing for this program. I really think it was exactly what we all needed to get back to playing the way we are capable of."
With so much at stake for both sides, the match had a playoff feel to it from the opening whistle and all the way through as each side had a flurry of chances erased by some superb play in goal.
Trevor Wheeler and Kevin Cavers were both pivotal figures in the center for the Lions as the senior duo took turns bringing the best out of the Lions' attack, causing the Redwings to concentrate on defending instead of finding Connor Miller, Sean O'Hara and George Elliot, their top three scorers, with any regularity.
"The effort out there from the boys was very good today, but when our top scorer (Miller, with 9 goals) has to go back and defend, or tackle, then somehow go forward to join our attack, then we're going to have trouble getting the ball into the back of (their) net," said Benet coach Henry Wind.
Wind watched Lions keeper Patrick Windle stop Sean Mogan and Joe Menconi in the first half, but the senior keeper was at his best just before intermission to help keep the visitors off the scoreboard when, in full extension, he somehow pulled a blast from Brooke Bieschke out of the air.
"We had some chances, but their keeper made big saves when they needed them, and we just weren't as sharp as we needed to be in close," said Miller.
The Lions had the run of play for a spell here and there after the break and finally took the lead when Joe Schmidt followed a rebound given up by Benet keeper Alex Senetar on a wicked blast from Bill Krawzak near the hour mark.
Senetar was superb on consecutive saves, including an impossible stop on what looked like a ball that the senior would take out of the net on an attempt by Wheeler at 68 minutes.
Krawzak sealed the deal in the 78th minute when he finished a wonderful ball sent in from Cavers.
"What a much better effort from everyone today," said Lions assistant coach Mike Manno, filling in for head coach Mike Taylor, who was attending a wedding in the city, "and one that we will build from heading into the state tournament."
"We did so many thing well today, except when it came to scoring, and we've got to have a few of the guys step-up and find a way to do so soon," said Wind, whose club opens regional play Tuesday against West Aurora at Bolingbrook.