The 2024 Benet boys’ soccer season gave the Redwings much to be proud of. While there were some disappointments along the way, the overall season proved to be a tremendous success, ending with a record of 15-5-3. This performance secured the Redwings the top spot in the conference and paved the way for an exciting postseason.
When I say “exciting,” it is no understatement. The Redwings advanced through the conference semifinals against St. Francis with relative ease, but the task ahead would be much more daunting. The conference final was personal for Coach Klosterman and his players as they faced Timothy Christian, a team that had halted the Redwings’ advancement during the 2023 season.
Determined to avenge that loss from the previous year, the Redwings played with intensity. Fittingly, the game concluded in a 0-0 draw at the end of regulation, leading to a dramatic penalty shootout. This was the moment that senior goalkeeper Patrick Stach had dreamt of. He was determined to lift the team on his shoulders and advance them to the next round, and he did just that, making the pivotal save that sealed the victory for the Redwings. At the conclusion of the game, Stach said, “We all remembered the loss last year. No one forgot it. But we came ready with that game-like mentality and got the win.”
Once the jubilation wore off, the team had to refocus as they prepared to face a more formidable opponent—the Boylan Catholic Titans, who had a highly successful season and were ranked #5 in Division 2A. Despite low expectations, the Redwings were determined. However, it didn’t take long for them to see why the Titans held such a high ranking. The Boylan players clearly came out to play, keeping Benet on their heels for much of the game as they defended desperately against the Titans’ attack.
If Stach thought he had his work cut out for him in the previous game, this match proved even more challenging. Thanks to the solid backline trio of Kuelthau, Mares, and Sterba, along with 13 saves from Stach, the Redwings somehow squeaked through regulation without conceding a goal. This meant Stach would have to step up for the now-familiar penalty shootout situation. By the grace of God, he made another pivotal save, advancing Benet to the Super-Sectionals. Many of the Benet boys looked at each other in disbelief, as Boylan clearly had the edge in possession and shot production.
The Redwings believed the tide had shifted in their favor. They went from low expectations to suddenly eyeing the state title. Their next game was against a lower-ranked Prairie Ridge team, which many considered underdogs going into the matchup. Just as the Boylan Titans learned not to count out an underdog, the Redwings faced a hard lesson themselves.
On a damp, dreary evening, the Benet boys played to the level of the field conditions and didn’t bring their A-game. The result was a humbling 4-1 defeat, but all was not lost. Senior Will Khazen summed up the season best when he said, “It’s been five years since we’ve been to the Super-Sectional final, and we did an outstanding job this year.” Perhaps those words will inspire the 2026 Redwings, who will once again have their eyes set on a state title run.
