Two proud East Suburban Catholic Conference programs, who have dominated the league standings for years, will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in a key contest at Baker Stadium in Mundelein.

Despite the relatively early meeting between visiting Benet (4-2-0, 3-0-0) and host Carmel (1-4-0, 1-0-0), you best believe the match will be played like a regional or sectional final. Saint Viator watches intently in the wings; the Lions are hungry for their first league trophy since 2018.

"This obviously is an important game for us," said Gabby Hedden, a key figure a year ago on a stingy backline that helped inspire a second-straight Class AA second place finish. “Not only because what it means for the conference, but also it's the start of a tough schedule that awaits us.

"We're in a little bit of a transition with the loss of eight seniors. We have talented players who are technical and have the ability to do a lot of combination play.

"We're starting to sort things out while building a new team chemistry. If we continue to work hard, and stay healthy, we'll get through this stretch of games and be better for it on the other side."

Hedden, who will soon choose between Loyola or the University of Tampa to pursue a degree in marine biology or environmental science, is involved in the Environmental Club, Italian Club and Student Government at Benet.

The senior believes the Redwings 2-1 victory over conference rival Marist last Saturday was just what the doctor ordered in advance of the Carmel match. It started a 10-game-in-21-days run. The stretch included a 7-0 home win against Plainfield East and includes the Naperville Invitational.

"We came back from being a goal down to beat Marist thanks to the two goals Ivana Vukas scored in the second half,” Hedden said. “That game gave us a lot of confidence going forward.

"Ivana, Rania Fikiri and Johnna Caliendo will do a lot of our scoring this season, but Anne Fitgerald, who is a sophomore and freshman Megan Bergman have really stepped in to meet the pressure of playing at this level really well."

Like her counterpart at Benet, Jillian Miller agrees that her Carmel club is experiencing a transition of sorts following the loss of several players from a year ago, especially all-state forward Emily Fix, who played in all 19 games as a freshman at Marquette last fall.

"We have a lot of new faces on our roster and some who played last year, who just need to get themselves comfortable with the speed of the game," said Miller, one of five who were named all-ESCC last spring. That group included 2022 all-stater and senior Anna Hartman.

"Anna and Emily were so dangerous for us last year. They opened our attack up for others and scored a lot of goals between them.

"With the weather being what it's been, many of our training sessions have been held indoors. While we've done well in our passing and defending drills, we just have not been able to focus much on going to goal.

"We're doing a lot of things really well. Our scoring and ability to put much on frame is still an area that we need to improve on.

"We’re hoping the six goals we scored against Marian to get our first win of the season is exactly what we need to get our attack going."

Miller and Hartman produced the first two goals in the Corsairs 6-0 away victory Saturday at Marian.

Miller, along with teammates Peyton Carney and Hartman, were part of the 2022 FC 1974 academy national championship team out of the Greater Libertyville Soccer Association.

"We've been playing well along the back in front of our new keeper Maron Bowes," said Miller, who in the Corsairs recent hard fought 2-1 home loss to Warren filled her customary role as an outside back, opposite Bella D'Amore. “I'm feeling really good about that part of our game.”

Senior Morgan Pitcher and sophomore Mila Schachelmayer form the Corsairs central defensive partnership.

"We've played 4-3-1-2 and 4-4-2 formations, switching up from time-to-time depending on how we're playing, or the situation," said Miller, who came to Illinois from Oklahoma and will return there in the fall to attend Oklahoma State where she may pursue a degree in interior design.

But for now, only Benet is on her mind.

"Playing Benet is always a big game,” she said. “I'm a little nervous, but also excited and also really looking forward to it as well."