CICERO – The Friday afternoon opener of the Morton Premier Invitational between Benet and their hosts was memorable except for what happened between the goal posts.
 
That would be nothing.

The ranked teams battled in hot temperatures before a large crowd.

Both teams expressed similar sentiments. The 22nd-ranked Mustangs and no. 25 Benet enjoyed the spirited play but also felt frustration.

Benet coach Matt Klosterman said it was a quality match.

“Morton is always a tough team,” he said. “Plus, to play them here, and it was over 90 (degrees) at kickoff and the sun is coming down right in the goalkeeper’s eyes. Under all of those circumstances, I was really happy with the effort.

“There are some things we need to clean up offensively, but Morton is tough to play against. We learned a few things, which will hopefully get us better.”

The coach saw a number of bright spots.

The Redwings (6-3-1) kept the high-scoring and talented attack of Morton (6-3-2, 2-0-0) under wraps all game. 

Benet senior goalie Patrick Stasch had three saves, including two in the final half. The Mustangs have scored seven goals in a game twice this season.

The Redwings’ backline of Jackson Mares, Daniel Sterba and Jack Kuelthau had a big size-advantage over Morton’s midfielders and forwards and used their physicality to their advantage.

Benet’s Mares said his club used that edge to offset Morton’s speed and craftiness.

“They had a lot of moving around in the middle and outside,” Mares said. “Their outside backs were moving, and their forwards were moving. They gave us a hard time in the middle. We had a hard time organizing. 

“It was a good shutout. I’m happy with the shutout, but a little disappointed because I thought we could’ve had more chances.”

Sterba was a big presence, both in stature and on the field. He agreed with his back’s assessment of the Morton offense.

“We definitely used our size to our advantage,” Sterba said. “They definitely moved around a lot. It was hard to keep track of them.

“We communicated well. We talked and switched and did a good job of keeping track of everybody to get the clean-sheet.”

Kuelthau said the Redwings missed several chances, but the backline did a good job.

“I’m disappointed that we couldn’t win, because we had a bunch of chances up-top. We have to work on finishing and in the attacking third.

“But defensively, I think we played pretty well and learned we can keep up with a team like this. We can build off this game.

“I’m satisfied knowing we can compete at this level going closer to the playoffs. Disappointed we couldn’t finish. We will work on it and get better.”

Morton keeper Miguel Jimenez, who shared the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honor with his counterpart, collected a save in each half to earn his clean-sheet. The Mustangs nearly allowed a goal with eight minutes left, but Jimenez was in the right spot.

Later, Benet’s Ruslan Holubec had a long shot that sailed high with 3:42 left in the game.

Jimenez, a first-year starter, said the Mustangs missed a good opportunity to earn a signature win.

“I was little disappointed, because we could’ve done way better. We had possession for most of the game, and the team did good,” he said. 

“We had some good shots today. (Benet) has really good sense inside the box, and knows how to attack and are good on corner kicks. It was frustrating. But in the end, we got the tie. What I learned is we have to play harder.”

Morton’s Alfredo Campos didn’t let the draw ruin his mood. He smiled as he sprayed a teammate with water during a group postgame interview.

The sophomore midfielder said the Mustangs gained some insight into their potential battling the Redwings.

“We have to work on our intensity and always fight to the end,” Campos said. “I’m glad to play a tough team. It was a good game, but we have a lot of potential and can win. 

“We have to work hard and keep our heads up. We have to finish our chances. Their defense was really good -- very tall and physical.”

Morton junior midfielder Giovanni Roman stressed the importance of capitalizing on quality chances, especially against top-tier teams.

“It was a pretty good game on both sides,” Roman said. “We both gave it our all, but we could’ve done more. 

“We had multiple chances to score. We have to play with great intensity from the start to not get a tie.”

Even though the game featured no goals, Morton and Benet both had some memorable shots. 

The hosts, in particular, had a five-minute segment early in the opening half with two free kicks and two corner kicks. Morton junior midfielder Aaron Nevarez had his one-hop shot saved with 16:36 left in the half.

The second half held less promise, but the Mustangs had two solid chances on back-to-back shots late in the second half. Yahir Aguilar missed a laser shot from 30 yards wide right followed by David Perez’s high shot from 25 yards out.

Benet senior midfielder Mathew Donaghey’s banger from 33 yards was saved with 8:17 left on the clock.

“I think defensively Morton is really good to play against,” Klosterman said. “We had some close (offensive) moments. We’re not quite there, so we have to fix a few things -- like how a good team will defend you and make those adjustments. 

“Not big adjustments, just connect a little bit better or find that way inside or take a better shot. It’s just a handful of things we will learn. I’m happy with the shutout. It was a good battle. I liked how our backline did.”
 
 
Starting lineups

Benet
GK: Patrick Stasch
D: Jackson Mares
D: Jack Kuelthau
D: Daniel Sterba
MF: Mathew Donaghey
MF: Jack Wesley
MF: Mateo Picha
MF: Ruslan Holubec
MF: William Khazen
F: Brendan Bergnach
F: Sergio Polanco
  
Morton
GK: Miguel Jimenez
D: Dario Cisneros
D: Rafael Ramirez
D: Nicolas Zaragoza
D: Chrisitan Valadez
MF: Giovanni Roman
MF: Alfredo Campos
MF: Yahir Aguilar
MF: David Perez
F: Enrique Ayala
F: Angel Rodriguez
 
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Miguel Jimenez, so., GK, Morton; Patrick Stasch, sr., GK, Benet
 

Scoring summary

First half
No scoring

Second half
No scoring