Benet sees win slip away vs. DG North

By Curt Herron

Benet Academy was literally moments away from capturing its season opener on Tuesday against Downers Grove North.

But that didn't happen after the Trojans scored a goal with just 16 seconds remaining to force a 1-1 draw in Lisle.

Although the Redwings would have certainly preferred a win over a tie, there was a sense of disappointment either way.

The Redwings played well during the opening half but couldn't even record a shot on goal during the final 40 minutes.

Benet coach Henry Wind was definitely looking for a better performance from his squad during their initial contest.

"I was just very disappointed in the way that we played," Wind said. "Am I happy to come out of it with a 1-1 tie? I'm happy because of the way we played but disappointed because you shouldn't be scored on late.

"We didn't move the ball around well and I thought we basically played kickball. We've been working so hard at getting to the ball, crossing to the back side and making things happen but things stayed on one side.

"They'd counter us quickly and got numbers up and we won some first balls and they'd win the second ball. We didn't do any attacking at all and that was disappointing. I would have still been unhappy if we'd won."

Despite not generating any offense during the second half, the Redwings still were on the verge of claiming a 1-0 win. But those hopes were dashed when Downers North freshman A.J. Jeffries scored in dramatic fashion with time running out.

Jeffries got off one try that was deflected by Redwings keeper Alex Senetar but the Trojan player put in the loose ball.

The final 40 minutes was quite a contrast from the initial half for Benet, which definitely was in control of the play. Matt Dickey, Sean O'Hara and Connor Miller all got off good scoring chances that were stooped by keeper Blayne Munar.

Benet finally was able to find the net midway through the opening half when it converted on a corner kick opportunity.

John Bagnuolo served up a good ball to Miller, who was well-positioned in front of the net to head it in for a goal. A short time later, George Elliott nearly added a score but his line drive effort was halted by the Trojans keeper.

Neither squad threatened much during the remainder of the first half and Benet's offensive woes continued after that. With Downers North challenging on a regular basis, the Redwings tried to hang on for the win but came up a bit short.

"We just have to get our stuff together," Elliott said. "No one really played up to their full potential today. When you're up 1-0 you have to lock it down.

"I don't think we were ready for how physical or how fast the game was. We weren't doing anything with the ball and just knocking it around and playing ugly."

Redwings players of the match: Connor Miller

By Curt Herron

For much of Tuesday's season opener between Benet Academy and Downers Grove North, Connor Miller was the difference.

The Redwings senior midfielder not only collected the first goal but he also helped keep the Trojans from finding the net.

But while Benet was unable to connect again, Downers North finally found the scoreboard with just 16 seconds remaining.

So instead of seeing the Redwings hold on for a 1-0 nonconference victory, Miller and his teammates settled for a 1-1 draw.

Thanks to Miller's performance, he was selected as westsuburbansoccer.com's Benet player of the match against Downers North.

Midway through the first half, Miller helped his squad convert on a corner kick that looked like it would be the lone score.

John Bagnuolo placed a ball in front of the Trojans net and Miller timed things right in order to head the ball in for a goal.

But the joy of the early goal was a distant memory for Miller after Downers North gained the momentum and then scored late.

"We just had a last minute letdown," Miller said. "There was no one going to the ball on that last play and they just wanted it more than we did.

"It felt like we had the run of play for awhile. We just need to worry about playing soccer and not kickball, which is something that we can do.

"We definitely have a lot of potential on this team. We just need to keep working on it."