Redwings cap Naperville Invite with another good defensive effort

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By Darryl Mellema

Sometimes statistics don't tell the entire truth about a soccer team since there are so many other variables to consider.

Even something as simple as the importance of "goals allowed" can be difficult or ascertain because different teams play different schedule levels.

But Benet Academy plays as tough a schedule as anyone and the fact that, through 16 matches, the Redwings have still yet to allow more than two goals in a match is significant.

Benet's defense was at it again on Saturday in the team's final match of the Naperville Invitational, a 2-1 victory over Andrew at Naperville North.

"I felt like we shifted really well today," Benet defender Maria Schwabe said. "Caytin (Lewin) is our sweeper and she organizes us really well back there. We shifted well and did well today."

If allowing goals wasn't as much of a worry, scoring them is always something to consider.

Fortunately, the Redwings are getting their offense on track as well as the season nears its final days.

"We've talked all year about the need to get in front and to get on top of teams," Benet coach Henry Wind said.

"It opens up the game and we play much more relaxed. The other team has to come at you and you can counter quickly. I thought we did a good job of that in the first half, especially."

After losing three of four midway through April, the Redwings (10-5) have now won three of four as they enter the crucial conclusion to the East Suburban Catholic Conference title race.

Benet used its scrambling offense to score twice in the first half. Madie Burke opened the scoring by stabbing home the ball from inside the six-yard box with 12 minutes left in the half.

"I thought we did really well, especially in the first half," Burke said. "We had a lot of chances and we finished off two of them. That was good."

That goal continued a solid sophomore season for Burke, listed as a midfielder on the team's roster, but who plays as a forward as often as not.

"She gets goals, she can shoot and she follows up," Wind said of Burke. "She never quits. If you watch her play, she's always moving. She's done a great job. We found a forward in her."

Katie Graber scored the Redwings' other goal, also by cleaning up a loose ball in the penalty area.

In Graber's case, the loose ball came after a strong Benet shot as the offense's pressure began to find gaps in Andrew's defense.

"We talked and worked (Friday) about getting people in the box," Wind said. "It used to be that we'd get to the end line and cut the ball back and we'd have one forward and maybe one midfielder in the box.

"No, we need to get people in there and to crash the box. We need forwards and midfielders in there and then to get them spaced properly. But then we can really be dangerous."

Andrew's Emily Scott was a constant threat and Wind said she was the most dangerous player on the field on Saturday.

And it took a Scott break and saved shot that helped set up the scramble that ended with Katie Truesdale scoring.

"I like our defense," Wind said. "I feel pretty solid on the defense. We just made the one bad mistake on the clear."

"It was really good to play in this," Burke said. "I felt we had a pretty good tournament overall."

There may only be two weeks left in the regular season, but the Redwings have plenty to keep their minds focused until then.

This week, Benet faces Bishop McNamara, Carmel and Marian Catholic in three key conference matches.

"We want to win conference or at least be able to tie for conference," Schwabe said. "We have to win these next couple of games and I think we can."

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