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Tiger Woods withdrew from the U.S. Open on Tuesday, saying his damaged right leg needs more time to get stronger

ST. ALBANS, England — Graeme McDowell accepts it is “incredibly polarizing” to join the Saudi-funded rebel golf tour. He even offered a reason why.“Take the Khashoggi situation,” he said. “We all agree that’s reprehensible. Nobody is going to argue that fact.”AdvertisementThe Northern Irish golfer was referencing the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. U.S. intelligence services said they believe the killing of the U.S.-based Saudi journalist came at the orders of the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, who heads the Public Investment Fund. The prince denies wrongdoing.[ [Don’t miss] Phil Mickelson the latest golfer to sign up for the Saudi-funded LIV Golf Invitational — ending his 4-month hiatus ]The Saudi sovereign wealth fund is providing the hundreds of millions of dollars in sign-on fees and prize money that is enticing players away from the established tours and jeopardizing their participation in the majors and Ryder Cup.AdvertisementThe tour is the latest branch of Saudi Arabia’s attempt to reposition itself as a backer of lavish sports events rather than one associated with human rights abuses, which rights groups call “sportswashing.”McDowell is trying to avoid discussing the specifics of the country he is effectively working for.“I really feel like golf is a force of good in the world — I just try to be a great role model to kids,” he said. “We are not politicians. I know you guys hate that expression, but we are really not, unfortunately. We are professional golfers.“If Saudi Arabia wanted to use the game of golf as a way for them to get to where they want to be and they have the resources to accelerate that experience, I think we are proud to help them on that journey using the game of golf and the abilities that we have to help grow the sport and take them to where they want to be.”[ [Don’t miss] Arlo White, the Chicago Fire’s occasional voice, will be the lead announcer for the controversial new LIV Golf series ]How, though, McDowell was asked, is that journey helping women who are oppressed in Saudi Arabia, the LGBTQ individuals whose rights to live freely are criminalized, the migrant workers whose rights are violated, the victims of the Saudi-led bombing of Yemen, or the 81 men who were executed by the kingdom in March?“I wish I had the ability to be able to have that conversation with you,” McDowell said. “As golfers, if we tried to cure geopolitical situations in every country in the world that we play golf in, we wouldn’t play a lot of golf. It’s a really hard question to answer.“We’re just here to focus on the golf and kind of what it does globally for the role models that these guys are.”McDowell did most of the talking on Saudi rights issues, with two-time major winner Dustin Johnson responding earlier: “I would pretty much say the exact same thing. I’d agree with what Graeme said.”

The Chicago Bears were forced to cancel their organized team activities practice for Tuesday at Halas Hall after violating the offseason rules of the collective bargaining agreement, according to a league source.The Bears, according to the source, had live contact during practices in May, which is prohibited during this phase of the offseason program.AdvertisementThat qualifies as a misstep by new coach Matt Eberflus, who was hired to replace Matt Nagy in January. The Bears will suffer a minor punishment as a result.[ [Don’t miss] The spring praise for Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields is flowing. But how much does it really mean? ][ [Don’t miss] The Chicago Bears are back at Halas Hall for OTAs. Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of their roster. ]According to the league source, the Bears were warned for having practices featuring too much contact last month with requests made that they alter their practice activity to adjust. Eventually, when proper adjustments weren’t made, the NFL Players Association was asked to get involved and the NFL stepped in, deciding that the team was in violation of league rules. As a result, the Bears were required to forfeit one of their OTA practices.AdvertisementThe Bears sent an email to reporters Monday night saying the team had made an OTA schedule change and that Tuesday’s open OTA practice and media availability was being moved to Wednesday. There was no indication in that update of why the change became necessary.The Bears are scheduled to return to practice Wednesday at 11:45 a.m. in Lake Forest during their final week of OTAs. Eberflus is slated to meet with reporters after that practice on Wednesday afternoon.

Orlando Pride coach Amanda Cromwell and first assistant coach Sam Greene have been placed on a temporary administrative leave effective immediately, pending the results of a current investigation, the team said Tuesday. “The decisions come following recommendations from the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA) Joint Investigative Team,” the Pride said in their statement. “This is an interim step while the investigation is ongoing, and no final determinations or conclusions have been reached.”AdvertisementNo details about what prompted the investigation were released.The Pride said that assistant coach Seb Hines has been appointed to coach the Pride in the interim. Advertisement“Providing a respectful environment and adhering to all league policies are of the utmost priority for the Pride. The Club is committed to fully cooperating with the Joint Investigative Team through the conclusion of this process. As this is an ongoing investigation, the Club will have no further comment at this time,” the team said in its release.The move come after the Pride suffered their worst loss of the season in a 5-0 victory loss to the host Houston Dash on Friday night.“This is a tough one to talk about,” Cromwell said after the match. “I thought we had good energy to start the game. There was a little bit of methodical both ways. I think both teams were feeling each other out. When they scored, I don’t think our response was good enough to pick up energy, pick up the level, and just conceding multiple goals again in the first half, put you in a bind and so we change things up.”

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Chicago White Sox called on Jake Burger to hit for Carlos Rodón in the fifth inning of a July 24 game last season against the Milwaukee Brewers.The Sox trailed by three with the bases loaded and one out. Brewers starter Corbin Burnes struck out Burger on three pitches.Advertisement“I let myself and the emotions get a little too large in that situation,” Burger said Saturday, recalling the at-bat. “Tried to do too much. And you learn from those situations and just apply them to the next one.”Burger leaned on that experience in a pinch-hitting situation in the eighth inning Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.AdvertisementThe Sox were down a run but had a runner on first. Burger hit the second pitch he saw over the center-field wall for a go-ahead two-run homer, leading the Sox to a 3-2 victory.He became the first Sox player to hit a game-winning, pinch-hit home run in the eighth inning or later since Daniel Palka on Aug. 2, 2018, against the Kansas City Royals. Palka hit a three-run homer in the eighth.“As long as I control my emotions, anything can happen,” Burger said. “That’s kind of how I take it and it’s always fun to have the chance from (manager) Tony (La Russa) to have a situation like that given to you.”Burger carried over the success Sunday, starting at third base and going 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a run in the 6-5 victory. He had two doubles in a game for the first time in his career.“He’s just gaining confidence,” La Russa said after Sunday’s game. “He’s a hungry hitter. (Teammate Andrew) Vaughn’s got it too. … These guys are hungry.“That’s a real box checker for a productive major-leaguer. Come out there, don’t throw any at-bats away. That’s a big compliment to pay them.”Jake Burger watches his two-run home run off Rays reliever Jalen Beeks during the eighth inning on June 4, 2022. (Chris O’Meara/AP)Burger, 26, is slashing .245/.289/.434 with five doubles, five home runs and 17 RBIs in 31 games as the Sox begin a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday at Guaranteed Rate Field.He drove in two with a first-inning double Sunday — his first career hit with the bases loaded (1-for-6). Burger scored on a two-run single by Yasmani Grandal.Advertisement“That was fun,” Burger said of the four-run first. “Anytime you can get out to a quick lead, it’s huge and it helps everybody. The defense, takes pressure off them and the pitching. It was huge to get out to a start like that.”His second double came in the second.“Come down here, you know you’re going to have a tough matchup (against the Rays),” Burger said. “They’re always a good team. Taking two of three is always a big thing and I’m glad we got that done.”Recently, Burger has gotten some of the biggest hits whenever the White Sox win.He hit a go-ahead three-run home run in the fifth inning of a 3-1 victory against the Boston Red Sox on May 25 at Guaranteed Rate Field, a day after rejoining the team from Triple-A Charlotte.Burger ended a marathon City Series game against the Cubs on May 29 at Guaranteed Rate Field, driving in the winning run with a single to left for a 5-4 victory in 12 innings.AdvertisementHis pinch-hit homer Saturday helped snap a four-game losing streak. And he provided the spark in the first inning Sunday.“I’ve been smiling a ton, just having fun,” Burger said.Discussing the past few years after the game against the Red Sox, Burger said he takes “every day as a blessing.”A first-round pick in 2017 out of Missouri State, Burger missed all of 2018 after suffering a ruptured left Achilles tendon in spring training, then missed all of 2019 because of a bruised left heel.With the 2020 minor-league season canceled because of the pandemic, Burger played in a local league in Missouri before joining the White Sox alternate site in Schaumburg.He spent time with the White Sox (slashing .263/.333/.474 with one homer and three RBIs in 15 games) and Charlotte last season.AdvertisementBurger continues to make the most of this most recent opportunity.“No matter where I’m at, I’m going to have fun and compete,” Burger said Sunday. “That’s what I’m trying to do day in and day out.”

Steve Stone tweeted some positive news Sunday about a sub-.500 Chicago White Sox team battling through injuries and underachieving players.Then the Sox TV analyst goaded fans to chime in with an opposing point of view.Advertisement“I’m optimistic,” Stone wrote. “But feel free to whine and complain.”It was a far cry from the Steve Stone of 2004 whose on-air criticism of Cubs players and manager Dusty Baker got so heated it created a rift that couldn’t be healed, leading to Stone’s abrupt departure from the WGN booth after the season.AdvertisementAfter a few years in self-exile, Stone returned and reintroduced himself to the South Side, first in the Sox radio booth and then on TV broadcasts with Ken “Hawk” Harrelson. Stone still is going strong at 74, and on Tuesday he will celebrate the 40th anniversary of his broadcasting debut on ABC’s “Monday Night Baseball.”NBC Sports Chicago plans to crank up the “Wayback Machine” for the opener of the Sox series versus the Los Angeles Dodgers, and there’s a lot to unpack since June 7, 1982. So get ready for a StoneFest.White Sox play-by-play man Jason Benetti with his partner Steve Stone in the broadcast booth at U.S. Cellular Field on May 20, 2016. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)Stone basically has gone through four metamorphoses while partnering with Harry Caray, Chip Caray, Harrelson and Jason Benetti. He played the role of amiable sidekick to Harry Caray, provocateur to Chip Caray and second fiddle to Harrelson.Now he has found his perfect match in the 38-year-old Benetti, a sharp-witted play-by-play man who doesn’t mind letting Stone get in a word (spoiler alert: Stone likes to get in a word). The two trade quips like an old married couple, sort of a Chicago baseball version of Al and Peg Bundy from “Married … with Children.”It’s not for everyone. But it’s a chemistry that can’t be replicated, as we’ve seen during Stone’s recent absence for a preplanned vacation in Las Vegas.Encapsulating 40 years of someone’s career would be impossible, and most of the great Stone stories can be found in his two books written with Chicago sports writers Barry Rozner and Mark Gonzales. I’ve known Stone for 35 years. He once got me in trouble with my bosses for goading me into telling the Cubs to fire general manager Ed Lynch during a rain delay of a Cubs-Giants game in 1999.I recently asked Stone for some brief thoughts on his main broadcast partners and other topics. He provided answers over the phone while betting an exacta box at Belmont at a Las Vegas sportsbook.Here is some of our conversation.AdvertisementOn working with Howard Cosell on “Monday Night Baseball” telecastsBefore he started at ABC, Stone said Al Michaels told him he could agree with everything Cosell said on air and gain a valuable ally while losing credibility. Or he could disagree and “probably be right” while making a “powerful enemy.” Stone played nice.In his second game, Stone was ready to tell an anecdote he learned about a player. When the player entered the game, Cosell blurted out the same story as if he learned it himself. It taught Stone not to give away everything in production meetings.“In my second game, I get big-footed by the original Big Foot,” he said. “Al Michaels told me: ‘Don’t worry. Howard never cared about anybody he stepped on on the way up because he had no intention on coming back down.’ And he never did.”Likenesses of White Sox announcers Darrin Jackson, Ed Farmer, Steve Stone and Ken Harrelson competed against each other during the 2014 season. (Abel Uribe, Chicago Tribune)On lessons learned from Harry Caray“One of the things Harry said to me that I’ve always carried forward is the best communicators are the ones everyone understands,” Stone said. “‘Don’t talk over the heads of your listeners.’ I never really forgot that. I try to stay away from cliches. Harry taught me a lot about how to appeal to a Midwest fandom. To put on airs in the booth never really was appealing to me and it wasn’t who I was.”AdvertisementOn Harry Caray’s transformation from critical White Sox broadcaster to promoter on Cubs broadcasts“Harry was one of the great salesmen of everything revolving around him,” Stone said. “He sold baseball. He sold beer. He sold the team he worked for and mostly he sold Harry. He understood who were the White Sox fans. A lot of people really disliked Harry because he was one type of broadcaster with the White Sox (and changed). But that was his fandom, the guys who’d go to McCuddy’s and have a couple boilermakers before the game. He’d get on the players and the manager, just like everybody else in the ballpark.“But Harry was really smart. And when he came to the Cubs he knew that wasn’t the Cubs fandom and he became good old grandfatherly Harry. He started singing, ‘Jo-dy, Jooooo-dy Davis.’ He made stars of these Cubs players who were just adequate. I came over and knew Jody was an average catcher and would say he was not an elite catcher and Cubs fans would go crazy.“Harry changed but not because he was older. He knew exactly who he was broadcasting to and he knew his Tribune Co. bosses didn’t want to see that (Sox version of him). He could read the room.”On transforming from sidekick to co-star with Chip CarayFormer Cubs announcers Steve Stone, left, and Chip Caray pose at Wrigley Field on Oct. 3, 2004. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune)Stone compared his early role with Harry Caray to that of Murray, the supporting character on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” played by Gavin MacLeod. “I was on ‘The Harry Show,’” Stone said. “Some days my part was bigger and some days it was smaller. But I never lost sight of the fact it was ‘The Harry Show.’”AdvertisementChip Caray told Stone before their first spring training broadcast in 1998 he would have “room to do whatever” he wanted.“It was almost like Jason and I,” Stone said of the partnership. “Jason does a prolific amount of research and so did Chip. They both were raised with computers, worked very hard and were younger than me.”On the bitter ending to his Cubs career“I had a wonderful run and literally thought at the time I’d spend the rest of my career with the Cubs,” he said. “As we know, 2004 came along. The great misnomer that continues to mystify me is why people keep saying I was fired by the Cubs for being too negative. The reality was WGN picked up my option.”Stone resigned after the season.On the final day of the 2004 season, Cubs fans chanted “Stoney, Stoney” under the WGN booth, showing their support for the broadcaster during his stormy feud with players — notably Kent Mercker and Moises Alou — and Baker.AdvertisementStone declined to rehash the incidents that led to his departure. But he noted Boston Red Sox owner John Henry once went to TV analyst Dennis Eckersley after Eckersley’s reported spat with pitcher David Price and said: “I’ve got your back and that’s not going to happen again.” Stone said neither he nor Chip Caray received that kind of support from anyone in the Cubs organization during the ‘04 controversies.“Nobody,” he repeated.On reverting to second fiddle again on Sox broadcasts with HarrelsonHawk Harrelson and Steve Stone at SoxFest in 2011 at the Palmer House Hilton. (Phil Velasquez, Chicago Tribune)Harrelson and Stone, two alphas and former players, sat far apart during home games at Sox Park, leaving an impression they were reluctant partners. Stone said he “learned a lot” from Hawk and they just had different styles.“He was a lifer in baseball and so was I,” Stone said. “I did listen to him. His style of play by play was completely different than anybody’s I had ever worked with, and I knew that I came into his half of the town.“When I came to the White Sox (TV booth), that (decision) was controlled by Hawk Harrelson, and Sox fans love him to this day. I didn’t come in to capture the fandom. I came in to add something to the broadcast. Yeah, he and Harry could sometimes be mercurial, but I learned how to live with it with (Caray) and with the Sox and wound up with two wonderful jobs.”AdvertisementOn the conversational tone of his broadcasts with Benetti“We’ll set the stage early, and if it’s a dramatic game, we do baseball,” Stone said. “None of the lunacy we get into is at the expense of the game. But you can’t lose sight of the fact we’re trying to entertain an audience so they stick around and watch us through times maybe they would ordinarily click off.”Stone said Benetti “for a young broadcaster … has a great sense” of knowing when to have fun.“I like everything he does,” Stone said. “And he frees me up to do what I think I do best, which is dissect a baseball game from every angle and nuance.”On his Twitter trollsTwitter is a “nasty place,” Stone quickly discovered. He often trades barbs with his followers.Advertisement“For the most part, people there are idiots,” he said. “If you go with that idea, you’ll probably be OK.”Stone said he doesn’t take any guff from Twitter trolls because he’s not paid for his tweets.“I’m trying to give them the benefit of 53 years of professional baseball, and these guys are telling me things that I don’t know,” he said. “They can see it, but I can’t.”Stone acknowledged being referred to as a company man or homer for not speaking out more often on costly mental mistakes by players or questionable managerial moves by Tony La Russa.“If I said everything that came into my mind, I don’t think (the Sox) would want me to work for them,” he said. “Our object is to help sell the team. That’s part of the deal.”On his futureAdvertisementWhite Sox pitcher Steve Stone tips his hat in a farewell gesture to a few of the 50,412 fans who watched him pitch 9⅔ innings on July 31, 1977, against the Royals. (Ernie Cox Jr / Chicago Tribune)Stone said he’s broadcasting “simply for the love of the game, the love of baseball, the love of Chicago.” He turns 75 next month but hopes to continue as long as the Sox will have him. “It’s an outstanding way to make a living, to pass the summer, to keep entertained, to keep challenging my mind and to stay active,” he said. “No plans at this point of not doing it.”But a return to the Cubs TV booth to bookend his career is a non-starter for Stone.“I do not want to work any television broadcast for any other team than the Sox,” he said. “I’m pretty much a Sox guy.”

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a minor-league contract with former Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the move has not been announced. The Chicago White Sox released the left-hander after he posted a 2-5 record with a 7.88 ERA in eight starts. He was in the final season of a three-year, $55 million deal.AdvertisementThe 34-year-old Keuchel won the AL Cy Young Award with the Houston Astros in 2015 and is a two-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner. He’ll try to recapture his old form by reuniting with pitching coach Brent Strom, who was with the Astros in 2015 and joined the Diamondbacks during the offseason.The Diamondbacks are looking for more options in their rotation after right-hander Humberto Castellanos went to the injured list with an elbow injury.AdvertisementThe Athletic first reported Keuchel’s deal with the Diamondbacks.If Keuchel is added to the 40-man roster, the Diamondbacks would be responsible for only a prorated share of the $700,000 major-league minimum, and the White Sox would remain responsible for the rest of his $18 million salary this year. The Sox also owe a $1.5 million buyout of a 2023 option.

Arlo White, until recently the voice of English Premier League soccer on NBC and an occasional Chicago Fire announcer, will be the lead play-by-play caller for LIV Golf, according to an announcement Monday by the controversial new rival series to the PGA Tour.White will be joined in the LIV Golf booth by longtime Golf Channel and NBC broadcaster Jerry Foltz and — for this week’s inaugural tournament outside London — former Asian Tour player Dom Boulet, known as the “voice of golf in Asia.” The announcement said a list of networks airing the series will be revealed later this week.AdvertisementThe LIV Golf series, started by Greg Norman and financed mostly by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has eight tournaments scheduled this year, including five in the United States. The 54-hole events offer huge guaranteed purses, with this week’s tournament awarding $25 million to the 48-player field and $4 million to the winner.The PGA Tour denied releases for its members to play in the LIV Golf events and most current top players have declined to join the new league, although a few marquee names such as Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia are in this week’s field.AdvertisementWhite called four Fire games on WGN-TV last summer, and he and the Major League Soccer team said in February he would return this season “for a longer spell.”I’ve been itching to confirm this. I’ll be back in Chicago in 2022, & for a longer spell this time. Looking forward to hitting the @WGNTV airwaves with @TNTerens & @TMeola1 & our fantastic broadcast crew. 29 games on WGN. This club is going places on and off the field 🔥 #cffc https://t.co/hSNS87WX7k— Arlo White (@arlowhite) February 18, 2022

White will be replaced by Peter Drury on NBC’s Premier League coverage when the new season begins in August, according to multiple reports last week. White had been NBC’s lead voice for coverage of England’s top league since it acquired Premier League rights in 2013.[ Arlo White is the voice of the Premier League on NBC. And although he’s from England, he’s a die-hard Cubs and Bears fan. ]Arlo White throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a Cubs-Mariners game on Sept. 3, 2019, at Wrigley Field. (Paul Beaty/AP)

LOS ANGELES — All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald is getting a big raise to stay with the Los Angeles Rams under a reworked contract through 2024.The Super Bowl champion Rams announced Donald’s return Monday. The team didn’t disclose terms of the new deal, but NFL Network reported Donald is getting a $40 million raise that will make him the highest-paid defensive player in the league.AdvertisementDonald was already under contract for $55 million over the next three seasons, but he openly contemplated retirement after he won his first ring in February. The Rams realized Donald deserved a hefty raise, and he will get $65 million guaranteed in the next two seasons.The deal means the seven-time All-Pro will be back to torment offenses for the Rams, who will be among the Super Bowl favorites again in the upcoming season. They already signed quarterback Matthew Stafford to a contract extension during the offseason, and the rest of the team’s championship core is largely intact.AdvertisementThe 31-year-old Donald has stayed at home in Pittsburgh during the Rams’ offseason workout programs, but he is expected to attend when the team opens its mandatory minicamp Tuesday.Donald is widely considered the most dominant defensive player in the sport, and he demonstrated his power again last season. He capped four excellent postseason games by making the final defensive play to stop the last drive by the Rams opponents in both the NFC title game and the Super Bowl.Donald finished the regular season with a career-high 84 tackles and 12½ sacks, his fifth straight season in double digits. He also became the Rams franchise leader in career sacks while earning his eighth consecutive Pro Bowl selection.He is a three-time winner of the AP’s Defensive Player of the Year award, claiming it in 2017, 2018 and 2020.

At a time when tears would have been understandable, Benet’s Mariana Pinto was all smiles.The senior forward’s sunny disposition was on full display as the Redwings accepted their medals and the Class 2A second-place trophy at North Central College in Naperville.AdvertisementThe Lewis-bound Pinto, so reliable in leading Benet in scoring and assists this spring, got the Redwings to the brink of their second state championship in three seasons.But her potential game-tying penalty kick hit the left post with 4:17 remaining in the second half Saturday and defending state champion Troy Triad hung on for a 1-0 win.AdvertisementBenet’s Mariana Pinto (10) takes a penelty kick in the second half during the Class 2A state championship game at at North Central College’s Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium in Naperville on Saturday, June 4, 2022 (H. Rick Bamman / Naperville Sun)“That’s the way soccer works,” Pinto said. “The greatest players miss their moments or they make history, so it’s all a part of the game.“What we’ve done is amazing, so there’s no reason to be sad.”There was no reason to think Pinto, who finished the season with 25 goals and 13 assists, wouldn’t come through when senior midfielder Katie Lewellyan was knocked down in the box for Benet (22-5).Lewellyan was the only remaining player from the 2019 state title game for the Redwings, who scored the tying goal with 1:46 left in regulation before beating Wauconda 2-1 in overtime.Was she thinking of that moment when she got fouled?“Yeah, I was,” Lewellyan said.Benet’s Keira Petrucelli (9) takes a shot in front of Troy Triad’s Macy Mell (11) during the Class 2A state championship game at at North Central College’s Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium in Naperville on Saturday, June 4, 2022 (H. Rick Bamman / Naperville Sun)Triad goalkeeper Reagan Chigas guessed wrong on Pinto’s shot, but the ball struck the left post.Junior forward Anna Casmere actually beat a defender to the rebound for the Redwings but missed a shot wide under pressure.AdvertisementBenet coach Gerard Oconer was as shocked as everyone else about the near-miss.“She’s made all of her penalty kicks throughout the entire season, our leading goal scorer, so you have every confidence that she’s going to make it,” Oconer said of Pinto. “That’s just the cruelty of the game sometimes.“You need a little bit of luck. In 2019, we had that little bit of luck and unfortunately (Saturday) we just didn’t.”Triad (25-1) had nearly no luck against Benet’s defense of Annastacia Thiel, Sadie Sterbenz, Nora Hanson and Bailey Abbott.Benet’s Reese MacDonald reacts to a penalty against Troy Triad during the Class 2A state championship game at at North Central College’s Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium in Naperville on Saturday, June 4, 2022 (H. Rick Bamman / Naperville Sun)The Knights, who have won 49 of their last 50 games since losing to Benet in the 2019 state semifinals, mustered only three shots.But Maryville-bound senior Gina Catanzaro made a steal and scored on a 25-yard shot at the 22:33 mark of the second half.AdvertisementThe Redwings had two scoring chances after that. Pinto missed a 26-yard free kick just over the crossbar with 9:00 remaining. Then came the penalty kick.“At the end of the day, it is OK,” Lewellyan said. “Mariana had a great shot — was just unlucky to hit the post. There was nothing else she could have done.”Naperville SunTwice-weeklyNews updates from the Naperville area delivered every Monday and WednesdayThere also was little more the Redwings, who had a 13-game winning streak snapped, could have accomplished this season.Their previous four losses were one-goal decisions to Class 3A opponents, including state champion Metea Valley.Benet’s Mariana Pinto (10) heads the ball in front of Troy Triad’s Jackie Barkus (6) during the Class 2A state championship game at at North Central College’s Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium in Naperville on Saturday, June 4, 2022 (H. Rick Bamman / Naperville Sun)“I’m just so proud of the way they’ve continued our strong tradition,” Oconer said. “There were a lot of expectations coming into this season after finishing last year with an undefeated regular season and making it to a sectional final in 3A.“Obviously, moving down to 2A gives you a really good opportunity to win. I told the girls that after starting our season 2-2, you could have gone another direction, but we had the resolve to turn things around.”AdvertisementThey did it despite having only four seniors. Pinto and Lewellyan led them to within inches of the top.“We had such a new group I don’t think we realized we could work together so well,” Pinto said. “But the way we did do that is incredible, and I’m super proud of everyone.”Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.