Right midfielder is just a starting point for Chris Benefit.
The Wheeler sophomore shifts to center midfielder during games. For a stretch of the Bearcats’ Class 1A regional semifinal against Marquette in Michigan City on Wednesday, Benefit even played central defender after a teammate received a yellow card.
“Chris has been dynamic for us all year,” Wheeler coach Bryan Murray said. “He’s one of our big midfielders, and obviously he’s very versatile.”
With Wheeler dictating play and the shots against Marquette, Benefit broke through to give the Bearcats a 1-0 lead with seven minutes left in the first half. The shot from distance was his sixth goal of the season and was all Wheeler needed in a 2-0 victory.
“I just saw the goal, and I shot it,” Benefit said. “To be honest, I was going to try to go back post, but I felt it was easier just to go close and hope the ball would skip off the ground because it was wet.”
Wheeler (14-5-1), coming off its first sectional title since 2014, matched its two-goal margin from a 3-1 Greater South Shore Conference victory against Marquette (11-9) on Sept. 6. The Blazers had won their first sectional title since 2012 and were riding an eight-game winning streak.
“I feel like we controlled the ball better in this game,” Benefit said. “The first game, we were just slow the entire game. This time we controlled it better throughout the middle. They really didn’t have any chances on us, maybe a couple of long shots.”
Freshman midfielder Harper Schaberg added an insurance goal for Wheeler with less than two minutes left in the game. On a free kick from just outside the penalty box, he neatly rolled it home just inside the right post.
“Our midfield has driven us all year,” Murray said. “We just didn’t finish well in the first half. We had the ball all game. Our midfield’s pretty dynamic.”
Benefit also started at right midfielder as a freshman last season, although he tended to stay in that position. He has enjoyed his time in the middle of the field.
“I really like the center mid position,” he said. “I just like how I can see the field and play the ball to the people who are open. I really like that.”
Benefit actually plays as a defender for his club team.
“I really like defense, as well, because you can see the entire field,” he said. “When you make a move and get the ball and intercept it, it just feels great.”
Wheeler, with Logan Murray the lone senior on its roster, will be seeking its first regional title on Saturday. The Bearcats, ranked No. 10 in the Class 1A state coaches poll, advanced to play top-ranked Westview (18-1-1).
“All you hope is to get a shot,” Bryan Murray said. “Our boys will like that opportunity.”
“This is just a monumental moment,” Benefit added.