Redwings beat JCA to share ESCC title with Lions

By Eddie Burns

Nobody was happier to see Brittany Pullen head the ball into the Joliet Catholic Academy goal than Benet Academy keeper Claire Munaretto.

At the time, Pullen's goal gave the Redwings a two-goal advantage and it was a good thing they had it because Benet held on for a 2-1 win on Wednesday evening in Joliet.

"It's a well-known fact that we don't score a lot of goals, so to get that second one was pretty huge for us," Munaretto said.

The Redwings' victory combined with Saint Viator's 3-2 overtime victory against Carmel, also on Wednesday, means that the Lions and Redwings will share East Suburban Catholic Conference honors this season since both teams went 9-1 in league play.

"Winning conference is a great achievement and Saint Viator is a great team -- it is an honor to share it with them," said Pullen, a junior midfielder whose goal in the 44th minute turned out to be the winner.

"Winning conference is our No. 1 goal and it is something we're definitely proud of."

The Redwings last won the ESCC in 2007 when they shared league honors with Carmel. Benet hasn't won the ESCC outright since 1998.

A big reason the Redwings (14-5) were even in this position was because of the play of Munaretto.

Throughout the season, she provided stability in the back and helped produce eight shutouts. Munaretto made several big saves after she played a big role in Benet's first goal.

Munaretto punted the ball to midfield where teammate Katie Kaufmann gained possession and played the ball to Jamei Borges, who put a shot past Angels' goalie Katie Llbara in the 15th minute.

Benet's keeper was put the test in the minutes following Borges' goal and had to come up with several key saves, including two point-blank stops against JCA's Emily Doom.

"I feel like I was caught out of position, but luckily the shots were right at me," Munaretto said.

Pullen said the Redwings have been fortunate that Munaretto has been solid in the back.

"There are games when Claire doesn't touch the ball, but then there are games like today, where she came up big for us," Pullen said.

"For her to come out today and make so many saves and be on her toes was awesome and something we needed. She's gotten so much better throughout the season and she's made us a better team."

The Redwings maintained their 1-0 lead at halftime but Pullen said the Redwings were lucky to have the lead at the break.

"The first half it sure seemed like Joliet Catholic wanted it more than we did," Pullen said.

"Overall, I think the game was kind of sloppy, but got done what we needed to get done, which is a good thing. A win is a win. It wasn't the best we've ever played, but we'll take it."

The second half saw Benet get off to a fast start when Pullen scored in the 44th minute.

Sophomore Madie Burke put the goal in motion when she made a strong run to the end line and sent a cross to the middle where Pullen was waiting to head it past Llbara.

"We brought it in the second half," Pullen said. "We won 50/50 balls and balls in the air. We have issues winning goal kicks in and around the midfield.

"Usually I try to find it and if I don't get to it people are usually caught just standing there and then the ball ends up back near our sweeper. Those 50/50 balls, we won a lot more in the second half and we simply got after it in the second half."

The Redwings maintained their two-goal advantage until the 74th minute when the Angels slipped a shot past Munaretto.

"They got to the end line and crossed it and I didn't go down for the ball and players were not marked -- those things happen," Munaretto said.

Joliet Catholic's goal made the final minutes of the match seem to last that much longer.

"I was like, 'Please blow that whistle.' It was nerve-wrecking," Munaretto said.

For Benet to win a share of the ESCC might come as a surprise to some since the Redwings are young with only two seniors on the roster.

"Earlier this year I think the team had way too many individuals trying to do too much on their own and we didn't connect well or work well as a team," Pullen said.

"Now, we're starting to come together as a team again and it is a good thing we're doing it better late than never."

Benet concludes the regular season with a home match with Hinsdale Central at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday and begins the postseason against Downers Grove North next Tuesday in the Class 3A Waubonsie Valley regional.

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