Benjamin, Neuqua Valley break loose in second half
Soccer is often a game of patience. Neuqua Valley saw its patience rewarded in droves Tuesday afternoon.
The Wildcats concluded their regular-season schedule with a 5-0 Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division victory against Lake Park in Naperville, with all five goals coming in the second half.
“I think in the second half we had just as much possession as in the first, but we took it to goal and we were executing in the attacking third,” Neuqua Valley senior Brian Benjamin said.
“We came out a little slow but we woke up, picked it up,” added Lake Park senior Brian Fischer. “It looked like it was going to be an even match. Then in the second half we fell apart.”
Benjamin broke the deadlock in the 47th minute, pouncing on junior Alex Liu's cross as it came through the penalty area, then knocking the ball into the net for his first goal of the season.
“I saw Alex Liu running up the left sideline, and I know he's crazy fast so I just sprinted all the way to the right side of the box because I figured he'd get a cross in and it just bounced through the box, through the defenders,” Benjamin said. “It was just me and the goalie. I put it in the corner.”
“He's got a little bit of pace and he can get after the game a little bit,” Wildcats coach Tony Kees said of Benjamin. “It's funny. We flip-flopped him to the right-hand side and the very next play he gets a touch and finishes it. So good for him. It was a long time coming for him, though. He's that kind of player. He can get some goals, but now he's got to get himself into position where he can do it.”
Feeling hot, Benjamin struck again a minute later.
“I came off the sideline and they weren't marking me too good, so I just dribbled up to the top of the box and ripped it into the corner,” Benjamin said.
“The first couple of goals we left a man unmarked on the back side, and they finished them well,” Fischer said.
The Lancers (13-6-2, 2-3-1) hope to bounce back in nonconference games against Batavia and Barrington before going to the West Chicago regional next week.
“This game hurts, but we're going to look forward to Thursday's game (against Batavia) to come back ... and hopefully finish strong in the state tournament,” Fischer said.
The Wildcats (10-4-4, 4-1-1) are feeling good after Tuesday's second half. They open next week in the Plainfield North regional.
“We've had a great year, and the last couple of games have really built our momentum for the playoffs,” Benjamin said. “This is a great way to start the playoffs.”