Hilltoppers' learning curve continues vs. Benet
By Gary Larsen

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There is no substitute for chemistry and when you have it in back from the first day of the season, half the battle is won.

Benet has given up one goal in three games through Thursday’s 3-0 win over Glenbard West, as returning senior defenders Colleen Lewellyan, Rachel Lovely, and Carolyn Dirienzo have overseen a 3-0 start to the 2012 season.

“I’m really happy with the defense. We practice back line all the time,” Lovely said. “Coach Gerard (Oconer) is our back line specialist and we practice every single day on it. We move well and we communicate well.”

Dirienzo pointed to the chemistry, and added another factor to the equation.

“We love each other, so I think that helps,” Caroline said. “I love the back line.”

On Thursday in Glen Ellyn, along with starting outside junior defender Lindsy Kendrick, Benet’s girls in back protected freshman keeper Emma Hlavin from harm throughout.
Benet got a goal from Megan O’Hara in the first half and one apiece from Jamei Borges, and Amanda Kaiser in the second to secure the win.

“We’re playing reasonably well. I don’t have any major complaints,” first-year Benet head coach Bob Gros said. “We were pretty close with a lot of scoring chances in the first half, and overall I’m pleased with what the girls are doing.”

For Glenbard West, Thursday was a second-game step forward towards finding its identity for a team that graduated eight starters from last season. Through two games, the young Hilltoppers have begun acclimating to the physical nature of varsity soccer.

“We’re starting to work on getting more physical and it showed in this game,” Hilltoppers junior Alyssa Cantore said. “Against Wheaton North a lot of people had never played varsity before, and we were better ready for the physical part of the game today.”

Step Three for West will entail acclimating to 80 minutes of physical play.

“There were phases of the game during which we were able to compete (physically) but also phases where we got pushed a little bit defensively,” Hilltoppers head coach Maciek Kusmierz said.

“Our new players will have to learn to deal with the intensity and pace of varsity play, especially against good teams. A lot of players are a little surprised by the athleticism and pace of the game, and it will probably take them some time to get used to it, in order to execute the technical aspect of the game.”

The Hilltoppers kept the slate clean until the game’s 25th minute, when Benet’s Katie Liber sent in a corner kick, Katie Michalik got a touch on it, and O’Hara buried it at the goalmouth.

In an omen of things to come, Kaiser had two good hits on the ball in the first half from distance.

Benet went up 2-0 early in the second half on Borges’ shot from 20 yards out before Kaiser sent in a wicked shot from the left side of the penalty area that tore into the side netting inside the far post. The Redwings’ Michelle Morefield also had a handful of quality chances on her foot that flew wide in the second half.

Three goals from three different players hinted that Benet’s scoring this year will come by committee.

“It did last year and it will again this year,” Gros said.

“I don’t think we’ll have one target person, just a lot of people that can take shots,” Lovely said.

Kusmierz will rely on Cantore and junior Kaitlin Moore to anchor his back line until growth in the attack occurs. Moore’s versatility was on display throughout Thursday’s game, as she went from central defender, to midfielder, to forward in the second half.

“I’ll play anywhere. Last year I was mostly at forward and midfield, and for club I play wherever I’m needed,” Moore said. “Coaches can move me wherever and I don’t mind.”
Moore’s all-around skill and toughness are a luxury for any coach.

“Due to our circumstances on the field, she’s not playing what is ultimately her best position,” Kusmierz said. “She’s an offensive-minded player but we need her in back right now. She contributes a lot in terms of allowing us to keep the games close while we develop as a team.”

“She gives us everything she has. She leaves everything on the field, she’s technically sound and doesn’t panic under pressure, and she has the ability to take people on. And yet when we need her on defense, she does the best.”

Cantore’s play in her sophomore year has also caught Kusmierz’s attention.

“Alyssa Cantore has really improved since last season,” Kusmierz said. “She was an outside fullback as a freshman and now she plays a very important role in the center of the defense and she’s doing an outstanding job. I’ve been very pleasantly surprised at how much she has improved since last year. She and Kaitlin play a major role for us.”

Junior Abby Ohrnstein and freshman Megan Kostolansky have shown Kusmierz scoring potential, along with junior Kelly Klink, but that scoring will only come once the Hilltoppers’ entire attacking group adjusts to the speed and physicality of varsity play.

“We have some good new people. I thought Megan did really well in this game,” Moore said. “We have people that can play in different positions, which will help us, so we just have to find where everyone can play their best.”

“Our potential is there and we just need to find the right people,” Cantore said. “It will take time because half of our players are new.”