Benet finally breaks through, beats Batavia

Although as inanimate as the balls used in the match, you almost got the feeling that the crossbar didn't like the Benet boys soccer team.

The crossbar rejected a pair of shots by the Redwings to keep them from forcing the scoreboard to be updated, but in the end they were able to get one to elude the stubborn bar and beat No. 11 seed Batavia 1-0 on Tuesday in Class 3A Naperville regional play.

Benet (11-8-1) scored the game-winner with just 7:08 remaining as Brian Morefield received the ball ahead of the penalty area and was able to loft it beyond the reach of Batavia goalkeeper Ben Steskal and beneath the crossbar.

“I don't think I believed it went in, Benet coach Sean Wesley said. “I was holding my breath as it goes into the back of the net because we kept hitting the crossbar.

It wasn't just narrowly missing that had Wesley concerned, but responding to the near misses.

“Momentum is everything in soccer and when you hit the crossbar then suddenly your team can go flat, he said. “I was afraid we'd go flat but obviously it worked in our benefit.

The Redwings then looked to their defense to keep Batavia from scoring an equalizer. With standout sophomore Kyle DalSanto in goal and Ryan Reilly and Joe Mahoney leading the way defensively, the Redwings didn't completely limit the Bulldogs from getting scoring opportunities, but they kept from finding the back of the net.

“It was back and forth and obviously hitting the crossbar twice was scary for us, but we had opportunities right in front too, Batavia coach Mark Gianfrancesco said. “We created chances but we just didn't put any away.

The Bulldogs followed the game-winning goal with a header shot with 6:33 remaining but the shot was off line and they wouldn't get any closer before the buzzer sounded.

“You know it's a dogfight in this sectional and Benet is a solid squad that played a solid schedule and is a tough team, Gianfrancesco said. “But I thought for a (No. 11 vs. No. 6) we gave them all they could handle.

Batavia (8-8-5) will only lose three players to graduation so a senior-heavy team next year should be expected to be one of the top teams in the Tri-Cities in 2011.

Meanwhile, Benet has a date with Naperville Central on Saturday at 2 p.m. with a regional championship at stake.