Boys soccer: Benet beats Crystal Lake South to complete playoff clean sheet

Benet boys soccer coach Sean Wesley acknowledged that he was worried about how the Redwings would respond when they surrendered a goal during the postseason.

He'll never know.

The Redwings blanked defending Class 2A champion Crystal Lake South 2-0 on Saturday afternoon at Hoffman Estates to win the program's first state title since back-to-back Class A titles in 2000 and 2001.

Benet (20-1-2) did not allow a goal in seven postseason games and only yielded 4 the entire season.

"It's astonishing to not give up a goal in the whole run and to play strikers of that quality," Wesley said. "I thought Anthony (Klos) and Zach (Serafin) were unbelievable in back, Tom (Miskin) was very good, and we subbed at the right back and never missed a bit, and Vito (Staniskis, goalkeeper) made one or two saves which we needed in big moments."

Shutting down Gators' senior Alex Canfield, who had 34 goals and 18 assists this season, was a priority for the Redwings. They held the standout to just a single shot.

"Anthony Klos was pressuring and I was always covering," Serafin said. "And we always talk about pressure, cover and balance, but we also have great communication and we made sure if he got behind there would be two people on him, marking him."

Junior Sam Hepburn was about 25 yards out, in front of the top of the penalty box, when he rifled a low shot that found its way through a slew of players in both uniforms. It found the net for a 1-0 lead with 24:03 remaining in the first half.

"It was really class," Wesley said. "Sam did his job and kept it on frame and he knew he had to let it go fast with everybody running out at him. He has that quality. He's a special kid, a special player, and I'm happy he was the one who broke the ice."

Canfield's best chance was probably when he was battling Staniskis for possession late in the first half, but he came up empty.

"They are just well-rounded team," Canfield said. "They are all over the pitch on their defense, their attack and midfield. They're incredibly They definitely deserved to win the state championship."

The Redwings frustrated Canfield from start to finish, limiting his opportunities to even touch the ball often.

"We have great faith in our defense, and Anthony (Klos) and Zach (Serafin) are honestly the best duo in the state," Benet senior midfielder Nick Renfro said. "I wouldn't want anyone else behind me. I don't trust anyone more and with them and the rest of the guys in back I knew we'd come out on top if we played like we have all season."

Crystal Lake South (20-5-4) did its part to stay within striking distance by thwarting Benet's offensive attack, but the Redwings finally broke through again with just 8:49 left in the game when junior Hans Haenicke scored.

"That sealed the deal a little bit," Haenicke said. "It was a little shaky when it was just 1-0 so we were getting a little bit worried, so getting that second one kind of put off the edge a little bit."

As thrilling of an experience the weekend and season have been for the Redwings, there is some slight disappointment since it's over, but the season won't ever be forgotten.

"It's been surreal this year," Klos said. "It's been so much fun and we have such an amazing group of guys which has led us to this success. Everyday we've been excited to train, to see each other and hang out, but we also go hard and that's why we've been so successful."

The Gators may not have been able to pull off back-to-back championships, but having returned only two starters, their run shall be remember as an incredible one as well.