Benet takes down Bulldogs

Updated: March 22, 2011 5:20PM

In the second regional semifinal match played at Central's Memorial Stadium, Benet's Brian Morefield scored in the 72nd minute to give the Redwings a one-goal victory.

"I didn't want to see our senior season end in this game," said Morefield, who converted off a pass from teammate Ryan Reilly. "We all worked hard. I saw the ball get played over the top, and I knew I had to beat the goalie and I hit it over him and we live to see another day."

Reilly, who was one of many injured players the No. 6 seed Redwings (11-8-1) welcomed back for its postseason opener, put Morefield's goal in motion when he played the ball in from about the 40 yards out. The ball took a high bounce off the turf and Morefield beat Batavia goalie Ben Steskal to the ball and flicked it into the empty net.

This regional semifinal match featured plenty of scoring chances for each side. Benet hit the crossbar twice before Morefield converted, while the Bulldogs saw several close chances go wide or sail high of the goal.

Benet sophomore goalie Kyle DalSanto sparkled in his postseason debut.

"Kyle makes the hard things in soccer look very easy and that is all you want as a coach," Benet coach Sean Wesley said. "He's always in the right place. He always catches the ball. He always doesn't give up a rebound. He has great hands. The best compliment you can give a goalie is that he makes it look easy and it is not an easy job."

No. 11 seed Batavia (8-8-5) had plenty of chances and almost countered immediately after Benet scored, but Anthony Torres' shot went just wide of DalSanto.

"We need to work on finishing," said Batavia's Justin Reyburn, who seemed to be in on a number of Batavia's near-goals. "There was a point where we all were getting frustrated, but the coaches reminded us to relax and have fun."

Benet advances to Saturday's 2 p.m. regional championship where it will meet Naperville Central. The Redhawks already have a 1-0 win against Benet this season.

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