Redwings' attack struggles against Saint Viator

CLICK HERE FOR GAME PHOTOS

By Gary Larsen

They won eight of their last nine regular-season games, capped by a 1-0 win over ESCC rival Benet that gave them the conference title outright.

One year after winning the Class 2A state title, the Lions of Saint Viator sure seem ready to make a run at a 3A title this year.

“We want to continue to have success, and I think we’re clicking now,” Lions’ senior Joe Surdam said.

Through 40 minutes in Lisle, the Lions’ attack dominated a Benet team that rode a 5-game win streak into Friday’s game.

The Redwings outscored those five opponents 12 to 1 but the Lions carried the play in the first half, and were rewarded for it on a throw-in at the left touchline. Viator’s Spencer Moore took a ball deep on the left side and crossed a perfect feed across the six-yard box, where Matt Morsches redirected it inside the far post.

“I thought in the first half we played well,” Taylor said. “We controlled it, and I thought Adam (Fetter) and Ashwin (Cornelius) played very well.”

Benet coach Sean Wesley bemoaned his side’s inability to play its best soccer through 40 minutes.

“The simple reality was that we didn’t do the simple things right,” Wesley said. “When you can’t connect three passes together at the varsity level, you’re going to be in trouble. We just couldn’t put it together today.”

“On their goal, the throw-in beat three of our defenders. We overcommitted to something we thought was going to be short. But it was a good goal that they scored and they’re a good team. They’re organized, good up front, good through the middle, and they’re fast.”

With roughly 20 minutes left in the contest, Benet began pushing hard for a tying goal, sending numbers forward with urgency. Saint Viator goalkeeper Scott Faul and central defenders Surdam and Troy Wheeler had their hands full clearing out serves and averting danger, but they got it done.

“We lost a little of our cool the last fifteen minutes and started to panic, and couldn’t get guys to settle down, but at the same time we’re playing a good team,” Taylor said. “The kids have found a way to win at the end of the season, and that’s good.”

“I thought Surdam and Wheeler played very well, and Surdam had to be one of the players of the game today. We missed (Michael) Decker’s aggressiveness on the outside a little bit today, but Surdam and Wheeler played well and we managed the last twenty minutes. And in a rivalry like this, we knew they’d throw everything at us.”

When you’re a defender and opposing players are swarming your penalty area, the key is simple.

We just had to keep our heads up and stay organized,” Surdam said. “You just have to fight through it. Troy did a good job backing me up, and I tried to back him up, too. We’ve worked out some good chemistry back there.”

With the win, Saint Viator (16-5-2, 8-0 in ESCC play) secured sole possession of the conference crown, which they would have shared with either Marist or Carmel if Benet (10-8-1, 5-3) had won.

“Viator is a always a big game for us, a big rival, and we wanted to do everything we could to make sure they didn’t have a chance to win conference,” Benet senior Sean Mogan said.

“Sometimes we play too much kick-ball and we don’t work it around like other teams do. Saint Viator seemed like they worked it around, and got their left and right outside backs involved, and it seems like it’s a little harder for us to do that.”

Injuries forced Wesley to move Mogan from center mid to the back line for much of the game, which impacted the creativity of the Redwings’ attack.

“We’re still setting a lineup because of injuries,” Wesley said. “It seems like I say that every week. Mogan plays left back on his club team and we have him playing center mid, forward, center back, and Hunter Miller plays everywhere ... but (Ryan) Reilly and (Joe) Menconi have been out, and (Brendan) Gesior was cleared to come back today. He played great in the first half, but then he couldn’t go in the second half.”

Despite lacking team cohesion during Friday’s game, Benet did get solid individual performances against the Lions.

“Brian Morefield played fantastic and he created opportunities for us. He’s one of the kids that showcased the abilities that he has,” Wesley said. “He wants it. And I thought Hunter Miller played phenomenal again. He was the one kid that managed to keep possession for us, and I thought Kyle (DalSanto) played well in goal.

“We just didn’t have our best game. I think the passion showed, and the intensity of the rivalry, but if we play that way in the playoffs we’re going to be knocked out very early.”
 
Benet followed Friday’s loss with a 3-0 loss to defending Class 3A state champion Lyons Township on Saturday.

Playing in the Naperville North sectional, the 6th-seeded Redwings open regional play against 11th-seeded Batavia on Tuesday at Naperville Central, for the right to advance to a regional title game against the winner between 3rd-seeded Naperville Central and Metea Valley.

Saint Viator got the 5th seed of the Libertyville sectional, and the Lions open regional play against 12th-seeded Mundelein on Tuesday, in regional play at Glenbrook North. A win there would put the Lions in a regional title game against the winner between 4th-seeded Glenbrook North and 13th-seeded Glenbrook South.