Visiting St. Patrick and Benet play their final match in the 35th edition of East Suburban Catholic Conference play at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in Lisle.

This mouth-watering contest features Benet’s hope for a share of the league title with Notre Dame, who beat Jack Kuelthau and his Benet teammates Sept. 28.

"It was a disappointing loss for sure," said Kuelthau. “But it was also the type of result that reminded all of us that we need to get back to playing together as a team, to train and play like each game could be our last together.”

The three-year veteran and two-year backline star would like nothing more to see his club claim its second conference crown in four seasons and league-leading 18th overall. Ten of the titles have been shared.

Benet, Notre Dame and St. Patrick shared the hardware in 2022 with identical 7-1-0 overall records. Notre Dame won the title outright in 2023 at 7-0-1.

Benet has won its last four league fixtures in grand style, outscoring the competition 33-2.

"(Those) last four results have sent a message to others ahead of us that we'll be playing," began Kuelthau, who played holding forward as a sophomore before moving to defense. “They know we'll come ready to play right from the start of the game.

"It's important for all of us to earn a piece of the title today and continue to play well into the postseason where we'll look to avenge a loss to Timothy a year ago in the playoffs.”

For the record, the Redwings lost 2-1 to the Trojans in the St. Francis Sectional final.

During the Redwings (10-4-2, 6-1-0) recent onslaught, they had too much Brendan Bergnach, Ruslan Holubec, Sergio Polanco and Jack Wesley for their opponents’ tastes.

This foursome accounted for 23 goals and 18 assists in the run. Bergnach led the way with 10 goals; Polanco produced eight.

Kuelthau and his backline mates have become a top-flight unit in front of Matthew Beaudoin and Patrick Stasch, who have shared time between the sticks.

"I was fortunate to play alongside Nick Roe last year," said Kuelthau of the former two-time all-state defender. “He’s an amazing player, who was always the best player on the field for us, and someone who has inspired me in so many ways.

"(Nick) has gone on to become a starter at Loyola University.

"Nick had a great attitude, work-rate and was just a genuine person who led by example both on and away from the pitch. That's something that I learned from him."

Kuelthau will play Division I ball at St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota next fall.

The Redwings deploy a 3-5-3 formation with sophomore Jack Wesley at the six to offer support.

"(Defenders) Jackson Mares and Daniel Sterba have complete trust in each other, and like the rest of this team we have become closer and closer as the season has gone on,” Wesley said. “I feel that has helped us play better each time out."

Jon Clark's club from St. Patrick (8-5-1, 5-1-1) will be out to throw a wrench in the works at Benet.

The Shamrocks created the Redwings’ opportunity to share the conference title when they beat Notre Dame (7-1-0) behind Emiliano Garcia's double in a 3-1 victory in the annual Irish Cup. It was the Shamrocks first win in the rivalry series in five years.

However, St. Patrick cannot share the big trophy after sustaining a 5-2 away loss to Marian on Sept. 25, followed Oct. 2 by a 1-1 home draw with Marist.

An 0-3-0 run in pool play against Glenbrook South, Stevenson and Mt. Carmel at the early season Jim Wolter Titans Invitational was not ideal, but the Shamrocks have responded nicely since then.

Five wins in its next six games helped the team turn around its fortunes and prefaced dominating performances over Saint Viator, and then Joliet Catholic on Senior Night when nine Shamrocks were honored.

After the Tuesday contest, St. Patrick will begin preparation for its Class AA Elmwood Park Regional semifinal against no. 13-seed Pritzker (5-7-2) at 4 p.m. Oct. 22.

The Shamrocks were anointed the no. 4-seed at the DePaul Sectional.