Delaney Benich possesses the “magic water bottle.”
It has become a Crown Point tradition for one senior to inherit the item annually, and Benich is the keeper this season.
Before each game, the forward gives a squirt of water to each teammate from the bottle, which includes the names of previous members of the lineage.
It’s all about promoting team bonding and unity.
Along similar lines, Benich helped revive a pregame chant from when she was a freshman about the Bulldogs getting better together each day.
The four-year starter views such continuity as vital, especially given the composition of this team. Although the Bulldogs have seven seniors, they also have 10 sophomores, including six starters.
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“Before every game, the seniors give a pep talk,” Benich said. “Every day, we talk about the goals for the day. It’s just staying focused on what we need to do.”
Chris Mikrut, in his 10th season as Bulldogs coach, has seen seniors such as Benich make it a point to create an inclusive environment.
“They’re passing down things that have been around a long time,” he said. “Delaney’s the vocal one within that senior group. She’s really matured as a leader, and they’re doing a great job of keeping those things alive. It’s really cool.
“The seniors have really made positive decisions in what they’re passing on. That’s where Delaney has really shined.”
She’s also produced on the field throughout her career.
Benich had four goals and three assists through Sunday. She had seven goals and three assists last season, and 11 goals and four assists as a sophomore.
The Bulldogs were 4-0-2 entering Monday. They are in the middle of a challenging part of their tough schedule, one they hope will prepare them for the postseason.
They won four straight sectional titles before annual rival Kankakee Valley posted a 2-1 win in last season’s championship game.
Benich was part of regional finalists in 2013 and ’14.
“I want to get as far as freshman and sophomore years, and hopefully farther, and we’re working hard to get to that point,” she said. “I would love what happened last year not to happen again. We know how that felt, and we’re strong enough not to have to feel that way again.
“I’m working harder offensively and defensively than I ever have before, making sure I come back on defense. My senior year, I want it to be awesome.”
Numbers game: First-year Griffith coach Glenn Maglish took over a program struggling with numbers.
The Panthers listed 13 players on their varsity roster, including four freshmen and a sophomore. They have 13 JV players, with six playing both varsity and JV. That situation has led to shortened JV games.
“We don’t have a good feeder system in town right now coming up to help out,” Maglish said. “With the numbers that we do have, we’re trying to make them multipositional so we can sub them in and out.”
Under pressure: Andrean won its Northwest Crossroads Conference opener against Highland via penalty kicks. Coach Jeff Clapman sensed a similar tension Tuesday before the 59ers’ 3-2 win against Griffith.
“A conference game, everyone gets a little more nervous, the whole energy in the place gets a little more amped, so their minds start drifting,” Clapman said. “We needed to calm down and relax, and once we did that, we played fine.
“It’s a big pressure game for both sides. Our girls know a lot of girls on their team, and they’re friends. They always want to play well against them, so it adds to it.”
Twitter @MichaelOsipoff
Top 10
With last week’s rankings in parentheses
1. Munster (1)
2. Crown Point (2)
3. Valparaiso (3)
4. Lake Central (4)
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5. Andrean (5)
6. Chesterton (6)
7. Kankakee Valley (7)
8. Griffith (9)
9. Wheeler (10)
10. Marquette (NR)
Player of the Week: Bishop Noll’s Belen Gonzalez, a sophomore, scored both of the Warriors’ goals Aug. 30 as they edged Boone Grove 2-1.