Benet has turned the corner

Updated: March 22, 2011 5:28PM

Benet coach Sean Wesley thinks his team might have turned the corner - at least he hopes it has.

In the span of three days last week, the Redwings dropped consecutive games after holding a two-goal lead.

So things were looking up when Benet scored three goals in a 20-minute span to take an early 3-0 lead against Downers Grove South in the teams' non-conference match Monday afternoon in Lisle.

However, when the Mustangs scored to cut the deficit to 3-1 there was good reason for Benet players, coaches and supporters alike to begin panicking.

Immediately after the Mustangs' goal, Benet seniors Ryan Reilly and Sean Mogan called a team meeting in the middle of the field to ensure another collapse wasn't in the works.

"That meeting speaks volumes for the character of the leaders on this team and about this group overall," Wesley said. "I think that brought everyone together and we were then able to finish the match strong."

The meeting worked because Benet (7-6-1) did not allow a goal the rest of the way despite having to fend off constant pressure from the formidable Mustangs. The Redwings not only held on for a hard-fought, 3-1 win, but they gained confidence in the process.

Wesley said he thinks the tough losses to Metea Valley and Marist where Benet saw 2-0 leads turn into 3-2 defeats will help the squad build character.

"We learned a lot from those two losses," Wesley said. "Those losses taught us that we have to conintue to be hungry to play even after we get a lead. We have to be motivated to play and we can't settle when we get a lead."

Neuqua continues search for consistency

Before heading to St. Louis last weekend for a pair of games in the Gateway City Classic, Neuqua Valley coach Tony Kees doubted certain aspects of the Wildcats' play.

However, after Neuqua scored a pair of impressive wins - 7-0 against Collinsville on Friday and 2-1 against highly-regarded Chaminade on Saturday - Kees had a good vibe about his squad as the Wildcats traveled back.

Kees was especially impressed with the Chaminade victory because it came on Chaminade's home field.

Kees expected to see a continued development and growth from his squad when it took the field Tuesday against Lake Forest Academy, but instead Kees thought his team regressed.

The Wildcats fell behind at halftime before rallying for five second-half goals to score a 5-2 win.

"That second half might have been the worst half in my two years here despite the fact that we scored five goals," Kees said. "It is the same thing we've been fighting all year - we're not exact and we get sloppy. We need our concentration levels to be high all of the time, and we tend to only play our game when our backs are against the wall."

Last season, when Neuqua went 27-1, the Wildcats trailed for only 12 minutes all season before eventually losing to Lyons in supersectionals. This season the Wildcats have allowed the opposition to score first more frequently.

Throughout the search for more consistency Kees has used new faces and they have risen to his challenge.

Kees has been pleased with the development of sophomore Jimmy Kotowski, who has filled in the defensive backfield for injured Pat Kaindl. Kotowski and junior Brian Benjamin have provided the Wildcats with some much needed energy and leadership.

Neuqua (11-2-1) has a key Upstate Eight Valley Division contest at East Aurora at 4:30 today. The winner will be in position to claim the Valley Division championship since neither has lost yet in UEC play.

"It will be a challenge to play East Aurora on their 53-yard wide (football field)," Kees said. "East is very technical and really good on the ball and in tight spaces. We won't be able to spread them out."

Central continues to rotate goalies

No position is safe, including the goalie position for Naperville Central and first-year coach Troy Adams.

Throughout the campaign the Redhawks have used three goalies in senior Sean Harrington, junior Zach Richter and sophomore Mike Pavliga.

In recent weeks, Pavliga and Richter have alternated matches.

"It is a good thing," Adams said. "Competition is good and it makes sure that both players are not comfortable where they are at. They are both playing great. We will, at the end of the season, decide on which way we will go, but it is nice to know that we have two very strong options.

Richter was in the net during Central's 1-1 draw with West Chicago on Tuesday night.

"I do like the competition because it makes training that much more interesting," Richter said. "Everyone is working 110 percent. We are all coming ready to play each game and we're pulling for each other. Practices are a lot more interesting because nobody is slacking off."

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