Benet gets test in St. Charles East
By Matt Le Cren
When Providence, Fenwick and Bishop McNamara defected from the East Suburban Catholic Conference and the York Tournament folded, Benet coach Bob Gros was left with holes in his 2016 schedule.
Gros asked his athletic director, Gary Goforth, to find the toughest competition possible to fill those slots.
Goforth did just that, adding St. Charles East, Lyons and Metea Valley to the schedule.
“I always want to get the best teams we can get,” Gros said. “Those are three tough teams.”
The no. 15 Redwings will take the measure of the first of that trio at 10 a.m. Monday morning when they welcome no. 4 St. Charles East to Benedictine University.
St. Charles East, which went 21-2-1 last spring and was considered a state title contender until being upset by Conant in the sectional semifinals, has begun 2016 where it left off. The Saints are 4-0-0 and have beaten Fremd, South Elgin, West Chicago and Freeport by a combined 19-0.
“It should be a very interesting game,” Gros said. “I think the biggest challenge for us is we have such a young team this year.
“Of the 21 players, 12 are freshmen or sophomores. For some of them, (this game) is the first time they’ve gone against that kind of talent level.
“(We) are competitive. But until I see that up under the pressure of a St. Charles East, I won’t be able to assess them.”
The Redwings (1-0-0) lack the experience of the Saints and the match fitness. Their only game was an rout of Queen of Peace on March 21.
Junior Kate Gesior and sophomore Maddie Becker both recorded hat tricks in that game, while junior Dani O’Connell added two goals.
But the linchpin against St. Charles East could be junior forward Besty Keefe, who had a goal and three assists in the opener.
“I knew she was a talented, strong kid with some speed and she really came on last year,” Gros said. “Betsy normally plays her best games against the best teams. She’s the one who steps up. She has that knack.”
Keefe will likely have to score if the Redwings are to beat the Saints. Gros has made clear that his team will not have a bunker mentality against any team, no matter how talented, and will utilize an attacking style.
With Keefe, Becker and Gesior, a three-year starter, Benet has plenty of offense.
“Every year (Gesior) has just improved tremendously,” Gros said. “She seems to have taken another giant step forward.”
The other lines are strong as well. Senior veteran Ellie Bumpus and freshman Abby Casmere are tough defensive midfielders.
“(Casmere) is a dynamite player,” Gros said. “She’s strong and has good speed.”
Gros expects the back line of sophomores Clare Bumpus and Erin Flynn and freshmen Mary Katie Wilhelm and Mary Kate Hansen to play with a maturity beyond their years in front of junior goalkeeper Anna Keefe, who is Betsy’s twin sister.
Gros is especially high on Hansen and Flynn, who are speedy outside backs capable of making overlap runs to support the attack.
“Nobody is going to overwhelm us,” Gros said. “I’m giving no guarantee, but I’m very enthusiastic about my team this year.”
St. Charles East has been led by sophomore forward Chantel Carranza, junior midfielder Hannah Kolb and junior forward Kyla Augustine.
By Matt Le Cren
When Providence, Fenwick and Bishop McNamara defected from the East Suburban Catholic Conference and the York Tournament folded, Benet coach Bob Gros was left with holes in his 2016 schedule.
Gros asked his athletic director, Gary Goforth, to find the toughest competition possible to fill those slots.
Goforth did just that, adding St. Charles East, Lyons and Metea Valley to the schedule.
“I always want to get the best teams we can get,” Gros said. “Those are three tough teams.”
The no. 15 Redwings will take the measure of the first of that trio at 10 a.m. Monday morning when they welcome no. 4 St. Charles East to Benedictine University.
St. Charles East, which went 21-2-1 last spring and was considered a state title contender until being upset by Conant in the sectional semifinals, has begun 2016 where it left off. The Saints are 4-0-0 and have beaten Fremd, South Elgin, West Chicago and Freeport by a combined 19-0.
“It should be a very interesting game,” Gros said. “I think the biggest challenge for us is we have such a young team this year.
“Of the 21 players, 12 are freshmen or sophomores. For some of them, (this game) is the first time they’ve gone against that kind of talent level.
“(We) are competitive. But until I see that up under the pressure of a St. Charles East, I won’t be able to assess them.”
The Redwings (1-0-0) lack the experience of the Saints and the match fitness. Their only game was an rout of Queen of Peace on March 21.
Junior Kate Gesior and sophomore Maddie Becker both recorded hat tricks in that game, while junior Dani O’Connell added two goals.
But the linchpin against St. Charles East could be junior forward Besty Keefe, who had a goal and three assists in the opener.
“I knew she was a talented, strong kid with some speed and she really came on last year,” Gros said. “Betsy normally plays her best games against the best teams. She’s the one who steps up. She has that knack.”
Keefe will likely have to score if the Redwings are to beat the Saints. Gros has made clear that his team will not have a bunker mentality against any team, no matter how talented, and will utilize an attacking style.
With Keefe, Becker and Gesior, a three-year starter, Benet has plenty of offense.
“Every year (Gesior) has just improved tremendously,” Gros said. “She seems to have taken another giant step forward.”
The other lines are strong as well. Senior veteran Ellie Bumpus and freshman Abby Casmere are tough defensive midfielders.
“(Casmere) is a dynamite player,” Gros said. “She’s strong and has good speed.”
Gros expects the back line of sophomores Clare Bumpus and Erin Flynn and freshmen Mary Katie Wilhelm and Mary Kate Hansen to play with a maturity beyond their years in front of junior goalkeeper Anna Keefe, who is Betsy’s twin sister.
Gros is especially high on Hansen and Flynn, who are speedy outside backs capable of making overlap runs to support the attack.
“Nobody is going to overwhelm us,” Gros said. “I’m giving no guarantee, but I’m very enthusiastic about my team this year.”
St. Charles East has been led by sophomore forward Chantel Carranza, junior midfielder Hannah Kolb and junior forward Kyla Augustine.