Redwings escape with league victory

LISLE -- Thanks to two goals from senior midfielder Rory Burke, including the game-winner, Benet fended off a late charge from Carmel to down the Corsairs 3-2 in East Suburban Catholic Conference Wednesday afternoon in Lisle.

With the game deadlocked at 1-1 in the first half, Burke busted through the Corsairs defense and scored in the 32nd minute to give the Redwings a 2-1 advantage, one they would never relinquish.

"I got a pretty good ball both times from (Nick) Beavis," Burke said. "We played really well in the first half. The second half (our performance) dropped off a little, but we played well enough to get the win."

Burke scored the first of his two goals, aided by an assist from senior defender Beavis, in the 19th minute to even up the score at 1-1.

Burke's first goal answered a goal from Carmel sophomore Jimmy Ryan a minute earlier that gave Carmel (4-2-1 ESCC) a short-lived 1-0 lead.

"Rory just has been outstanding offensively for us," Benet coach Henry Wind said. "He just has done that the last two or three games. He just has kind of carried the team on his shoulder offensively and just made it easier for the rest of the boys."

Beavis would later score a goal of his own in the 65th minute to give Benet (5-2-0 ESCC) a two-goal cushion at 3-1.

Trailing down the stretch of the second half, Carmel made a last ditch effort to get back into the game when senior forward Ian Tune scored in the 79th minute to bring Carmel to within 3-2, but it would get no closer.

"Ian Tune is the type of player that's always going to give everything that he can," Carmel coach John Halloran said.

In addition to the solid play from Burke and Beavis, the Redwings received a stout effort in goal from senior goaltender Alex Siliunas, who made nine saves.

Carmel outshot Benet 16-15 on the night.

Halloran came away from the 3-2 loss thinking of missed opportunities as Carmel repeatedly peppered Siliunas with shots.

"Overall, I was pretty disappointed in the result," Halloran said. "I thought (Benet) was a beatable team, and I don't think we played very well all around."

In a game that saw numerous scoring opportunities for both teams, Benet made it a point to keep the pressure on Carmel's defense, an effort spearheaded by Burke.

"Our strength is down the middle and up-front, so we're trying to get the ball up to the skill people that we have quickly and move," Wind said. "That's what we're trying to get done."