Benet senior goalkeeper Kate Grubish relishes a challenge.
She got more than one when she transferred from Lyons after her freshman year.
“I knew I wanted a lot of rigor in my academic career,” Grubish said. “I toured Benet, and I loved the school and what kids were saying about it, and I decided to transfer.
“It is legitimately one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It’s given me great opportunities. I can’t say enough good things.”
Coaches and teammates can’t say enough good things about Grubish.
“She might be one of the smartest players academically that we’ve ever had,” Benet coach Gerard Oconer said. “Her intelligence is just way off the charts.”
So is her patience. Grubish spent the past two seasons backing up all-stater Shannon Clark, who helped the Redwings finish as the Class 2A state runner-up in back-to-back seasons and plays at Denver.
Grubish didn’t see the field much but shined when she did, allowing one goal in six games as a sophomore and none in 10 appearances as a junior. All of that was in mop-up duty.
“I’m not going to say it was perfect all the time,” she said. “There was definitely some hard moments when I kind of questioned whether I am really doing anything for this team.
“But at the same time, if you’re in that position, you don’t really have a choice but to make the best of it. I’m training with a DI goalkeeper, and she’s awesome to be around too.”
Benet goalkeeper Kate Grubish warms up during a practice at the Athletic Recreation Center in Woodridge on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. (Steve Johnston / Naperville Sun)
Oconer was impressed with how Grubish handled her backup role and was relieved too.
“A lot of that comes down to Kate’s incredible character,” Oconer said. “She knew she was going to have to wait for her time.
“She is a super driven, ambitious person, so I was a little nervous about how it was going to go. But you couldn’t find a better teammate or supporting goalkeeper than Kate. She’s always super positive.”
Oconer said Grubish pushed Clark to be her best. The two regularly did extra training together.
“Kate is just an incredible athlete,” Oconer said. “I’ve never seen anybody work out quite the way that she does. In the offseason, she’s always in the weight room or doing things on her own.
“Last season, she would stay after practice with Shannon and do sprints, trying to get Shannon ready for all of the college fitness tests that she would have to do.”
Grubish, who will not play in college, is Benet’s starting goalkeeper this season. She has allowed three goals in five games for the Redwings (2-2-1).
“Her work ethic is contagious, and she’s just a great leader,” Oconer said. “She’s so well-respected by everyone.”
Including by junior defender and fellow first-time starter Meghan Sarros.
“She’s insanely supportive,” Sarros said. “Coming into this season, I was a little nervous just trying to find my place, and she’s always been there for me.
“She’s my carpool buddy, too, so I can always go to her if I want an opinion on something. We can always get together and decide what’s best, and she’s very encouraging.”
Oconer was encouraged by Grubish’s stellar play in Benet’s 2-1 loss to Wheaton North on March 19.
“They really took it to us the first 10 to 15 minutes of the second half, and Kate made three or four point-blank saves,” Oconer said. “She usually doesn’t have to do too much, so it was awesome to see her get that opportunity to show what she can do.”
Grubish is happy about it too.
“I’ve never been more in love with the sport as much as this year because being able to play with some of my best friends is huge and being able to take a leadership position in this team is awesome,” she said. “The seniors and I have a cohesive goal of maintaining the Benet soccer culture, which is really strong and has gone on for many years.”
That culture is strong because of players like Grubish, who won’t get into details about her academic achievements except to say she intends to get straight A’s. She is also too humble to mention she spent her spring break helping build houses in Guatemala as part of a Benet service mission.
Instead, Grubish said she credits her “fantastic teachers” and Oconer with setting her up for success.
“Oconer has told me multiple times, ‘You’ve earned this. I know you were patient the last couple years, but this is your time. Take advantage of it,’” Grubish said. “I want to do exactly that.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
