Benet’s Mariana Pinto finally has the spotlight all to herself.
She’s already begun to shine.
Pinto, a senior forward, has stepped into the captain’s role vacated by graduated All-American striker Jaimee Cibulka and will be the linchpin of the Redwings’ quest for their second Class 2A state championship in the past three seasons.
Benet coach Gerard Oconer is expecting big things from the Lewis recruit.
“I think she still has a ways to go in this game and she’s really good already,” Oconer said of Pinto. “If we can learn to play off her, that will open up space for her and she’s going to be very dangerous every time she touches the ball.”
Expect Pinto to touch the ball more than ever this spring as she succeeds Cibulka in being Benet’s main offensive threat. Cibulka scored 25 goals in 19 games last season, leading the Redwings to an 18-1 record and a berth in a 3A sectional final.
Pinto had 12 goals and 10 assists in her first varsity season. She set up many of the goals scored by Cibulka, a lightning-fast wing player who drew most of the attention from harried defenders along with the accolades that came from her superlative performance.
Now, Pinto will be called upon to score more while creating chances for teammates like senior forward Anna Casmere and junior midfielder Rachel Burns, who combined for 15 goals in 2021.
Pinto doesn’t mind the extra responsibility.
“Honestly, as captain, I’m trying to lead the team and trying to get those goals,” she said. “We have a lot of other positives to look at. We’re doing really well.”
Pinto is not as highly touted as Cibulka nor is she as fast. But she brings a variety of talents that can break down defenses.
“She’s just so good with her back to goal — being able to turn defenders, being able to finish with both feet,” Oconer said. “She’s obviously going to shine without Jaimee.
“We’re still trying to figure out how this is all going to work without having Jaimee and Brooke Pullen, two of the foundations of our program over the last few years.”
Still, Pinto is the 2022 foundation. And it has been a long time coming.
Pinto played club soccer as a freshman. Oconer was thrilled when she joined the Redwings as a sophomore. Benet was coming off winning the 2019 2A state championship, the first in program history.
But that 2020 season was canceled due to the pandemic, delaying Pinto’s varsity debut. Because of that, she relishes every game she plays.
“For sure,” Pinto said. “I know last year I was super eager to come out and especially this season, as a senior, to lead the team. I’m so glad we got the opportunity to do it.”
Pinto leads the Redwings (3-2) this season with four goals. She scored two goals, including the game-winner, and added an assist in a 3-0 win March 24 at Wheaton North, demonstrating her lethal shot and accurate passing.
Pinto said her ability to control the ball is her greatest strength.
“I’ve always had good feet,” Pinto said. “I like to get those balls in for other people and also get shots on goal.”
Senior midfielder Katie Lewellyan assisted on Pinto’s first goal and scored off a pass from Pinto against Wheaton North.
Lewellyan said Pinto is “super humble” and leads through her actions.
“Mariana always checks to the ball really well and can hold it up and lay it off when the time is right,” Lewellyan said. “But also she’s able to turn and play other people through.
“She’s going to be huge for us.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
