Marist needed a win Wednesday night to have a realistic shot at the East Suburban Catholic title, and reserve midfielder Matt Brannigan was determined to do anything he could to make that happen.
“I want to be a difference-maker on the field,” he said. “I came off the bench and told coach (Sean Maxwell), ‘I’m going to get one if the ball’s near me.'”
Brannigan, a senior, did just that, scoring off Christian Cunningham’s free kick in the first half.
Benet’s Connor Mote, though, did him one better, scoring twice to lift the host Redwings to a 2-1 win.
Benet (9-1-2, 6-0) handed Marist (10-7-1, 4-2-1) its second consecutive conference loss, coming on the heels of Monday’s 6-2 defeat to St. Viator.
“I wanted to prove something to the guys that heart’s what we have to play with,” Brannigan said. “We came out and put (Benet) against the wall, and the result didn’t go our way. But I saw the heart coming out of us in this game. That’s going to carry us a long way.”
After Mote put Benet in front in the 17th minute, ripping a free kick from 20 yards just past diving Marist goalkeeper John Kruse, Brannigan got his team even.
On a free kick from 35 yards out, Cunningham played a beautiful ball to the far post, where Brannigan headed it home.
“Matt’s a great player and he’s one of our best in the box,” Maxwell said. “He’s not afraid to get to the ball and take shots. It was a great goal. I’m happy for him.”
Mote, though, struck again with 28 minutes left. Charlie Kane’s free kick from 60 yards came into the box and was flicked around before Mote beat a charging Kruse to the ball and put it into the open net.
Marist had some chances late, but David Regan fired wide on a shot from 30 yards and Benet goalkeeper Caden Martin stopped Brice Wyderski’s shot with 16 minutes to go.
Kruse made five saves, including two tough ones in a 30-second span early in the second half when he stopped Franklin Rutkowski on a breakaway, then denied Mote’s chance from in close.
“We played a great team and the game could have gone either way,” Cunningham said. “We came up short, but I think it was one of our best games of the season. We’ve got the playoffs coming up soon, so we’ve just got to get ready for that now.”
Illinois Lutheran 2, Peotone 0: Kyle Gould contributed one goal and one assist for Illinois Lutheran (15-2-1).
Marian Catholic 1, Joliet Catholic 0: Brian Mendez scored to boost Marian (1-13, 1-6 ESCC).
Boys Golf
Metro Suburban Blue Tournament: Seth Bouwer (79) was fourth in leading Illiana Christian (335) to third place at The Sanctuary.
Metro Suburban Red Tournament: Mark Schaaf (78) edged teammate Pete Vos by one stroke for medalist honors as Chicago Christian (318) won the title at The Sanctuary.
Girls Golf
SouthWest Suburban Blue Tournament: Medalist Hannah Kilbane shot a 74 to lead champion Sandburg (346) at Broken Arrow. Runner-up Emilyee McGiles added an 82 in helping the Eagles win the conference title for the fourth consecutive year.
Women’s Soccer
St. Francis 1, St. Xavier 0: Yessica Reyes’ goal in the 57th minute lifted St. Francis (4-3-1, 3-1 CCAC).
Awards and honors
Kudos for Knudsen: St. Francis’ Cam Knudsen was named NAIA National Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week on Wednesday.
Steve Millar is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown.
Freelance writer Josh Krockey contributed to this story.