Nearly three weeks to the day that Mother Nature decided against the biggest East Suburban Catholic Conference rivalry fixture of the year being played, Saint Viator will travel to Lisle to meet host Benet in the contest that will decide the league title.

The battle begins at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Since that dreadful weather afternoon in early April, both sides have been near perfect.

The Redwings (9-2-1) arrive here at their home soccer park on a seven-game win streak. The win total includes group play victories over Naperville Central and Oswego last week that propelled the Redwings into the quarterfinals of the prestigious Naperville Invitational.

During the run, Benet has scored 27 goals while conceding just three. Keeper Kate Grubish claiming four-clean sheets in the span.

Manager Gerard Oconer’s club sits atop the league table at 4-0-0, while the visiting Lions, 10-1-0 overall, sit just behind the reigning league champions with a 3-0-0 record.

"I think as a team we've definitely hit our stride, especially with our last two wins in group play," began senior Bailey Abbott, part of a water-tight backline that includes Gabby Hedden, Chloe Sentman and Meghan Sarros.

"(Those) two wins are huge momentum boosters going into an important game with Saint Viator. The tournament is always a great test for us to see what point we are at in the season, and I believe our success has proven our capability and potential."

Added Hedden: "I am so proud of the team.

"It took us a little bit to figure out how to connect on the offensive half, but we've put so much into training, and dedicated so much time into honing that aspect of our game. We are starting to see the result of all that hard work."

Hedden believes it was a victory over Plainfield East that turned things around for her club. Seven different players found the back of the net in a 7-0 win.

"We have developed a system that allows us to score goals as a team rather than aiming for a single player to do the job," said Abbott.

"We've become much more efficient in finishing our chances that we create and minimizing the ratio of shots to goals."

The balance in scoring which Abbott speaks of shows Johnna Caliendo leading the club with six goals, followed by the trio of Anne Fitzgerald, Natalie Grover and Ivana Vukas at five. Junior Eleanor Mahan follows in the mix with four.

The manager pointed to the other thirds of the field.

"Our success is due to our defense, and Kate (Grubish) in goal," said Benet manager Gerard Oconer. “It all starts with defensive pressure up-front by our forwards

“The midfield has been great at maintaining possession -- winning most of the 50-50 balls. Our back four have done a great job of patient defending, covering for each other and not committing reckless tackles."

The game may become a true test of defending for the home side. Their guests arrive in town with 64 goals in their scorebook against just 11 conceded.

This blistering, high-octane Lions attack leads the league with 22 goals scored. Half of them came at the expense of Marian last week. Saint Viator has undergone a dramatic turnaround from a year ago.

"The big difference in my opinion from last year is the addition of some really talented freshmen players and the great chemistry we have amongst each other -- both on the field and off it where that bond continues," said Monica Correa.

The junior usually handles chores as the 10 for manager Byron DeLeon, whether he has the Lions are in a 4-1-4-1or 4-3-3 formation.

"(The) freshmen on our team are really involved, and have a big contribution this season, plus they have quickly become a part of the bond that all of us have between each other," said Correa, who hopes to play collegiate soccer.

"We are so much better in every part of our game this season," began Taylor Brackett, who along with Allison Konopka and Correa have provided plenty of balls into the back of the net this spring.

"The heart of this team is amazing. So is our work ethic, and yes, our freshmen and sophomores have come in and played so well for us."

Brackett said centerback Frannie Drake has been outstanding along with fellow freshman Camila Fuentes.

Brackett and Correa both know the stakes of the Benet match.

"(When) we were first scheduled to play, we were just coming off of spring break, so we didn't have a lot of time together to train and prepare for Benet," recounts Brackett.

"We know we'll be ready on Tuesday (and) know that this result will be for the conference championship."

"We're all ready for this game, but it also is just another game on our schedule, so we just have to go out and play our best, then see what happens," added Correa.

This rivalry can be traced all the way back to the very beginning of girls soccer in the conference when in 1996 the Redwings claimed the first league title.

These two powers took turns the next couple of years before Saint Viator won three straight (1999-2001) crowns and repeated the feat from 2003-2005.

Abbott and Hedden were key figures in the Redwings back-to-back Class AA state runnerup teams of 2022 and 2023.

"Our defense has remained very solid. Overall, we have done a great job of communicating and covering for each other while protecting our net. I know we're all excited to take on another challenge on Tuesday," said Abbott.

"Our depth is what makes our team stand out from most. Regardless of what unforeseen circumstances are thrown at us, the girls on the team always step up when called upon," concluded Hedden.