Geneva tops Batavia; battle
of unbeatens takes unexpected twist
Vikings win 2-0, Batavia plays 1 down after 4th-minute red card
By Dave Owen
GENEVA – It took just over three minutes for the complexion of the Batavia-Geneva battle of unbeatens Tuesday to shift dramatically.
A tackle in the box of Geneva’s Stephanie Howe 3:09 into the match not only gave the host Vikings a penalty kick (which Jenna Dominguez converted for a 1-0 lead), but a red card ruling that left Batavia one player short the rest of the night.
Despite a surprisingly fierce second half offensive attack, that 11-vs.-10 factor and an elite opponent was too much of a combination to overcome for the Lady Bulldogs, who suffered their first defeat in 12 matches.
For Geneva (13-0-0), its dominant 2017 run continued with an 11th shutout of the season and a 2-0 win.
On the key early play, a nice through-ball send by Sydney Gratz sprung Wolfe into the box. With a step on the defense, Howe was tripped from behind to earn a doubly crucial call.
“Simple through-ball, maybe slight miscommunication on it, and they did a nice job,” Batavia coach Mark Gianfrancesco said. “(Howe) got in behind and did a nice job, and those things happen.
“That (playing one player short) changed the complexion of the game. I thought our girls played really well. I’m proud of them and the character they showed, and how we created a lot more chances than they did after we went down a man. We were smart with the ball. We connected passes, and if we would have got one (goal) I think the momentum would have turned.”
But before Batavia’s strong response, Geneva had created plenty of breathing room for a huge win in terms of sectional seeding, the conference race and rivalry bragging rights.
“It’s nice to bring it back to Geneva,” Vikings coach Megan Owens said. “My seniors, the last time they won (over Batavia) was freshman year. We talked about that a little bit.
“Batavia’s a great group – they played with a lot of heart. It meant something special to this group (to win), and we had a great crowd tonight from both schools. That was awesome.”
Dominguez’s 13th goal of the season on the PK gave the Geneva fans reason to cheer early, and a nice set piece in the 17th minute added to the lead and Vikings fervor.
Alicia White’s corner kick reached Jenni Santacaterina at the back post. Her point-blank try grazed off a Batavia player and inside the post. The senior midfielder’s well-timed first goal of 2017 put Geneva up 2-0 with 24:14 left in the half.
“It was pretty lucky,” Santacaterina said. “I kind of just hit it, it went off her back, and it threw off the goalie. She (White) hit an awesome ball (on the corner).”
Outside of the two Geneva finishes, Batavia hardly looked like a team playing shorthanded. The Lady Bulldogs responded to the 2-0 deficit with steady offensive pressure and no defensive lapses.
“I would say it was very unlucky,” Batavia senior Mackenzie Foster said of the red card, “but we did a good job of keeping our heads in it and staying focused.
“We could have given up, and they could have scored a couple more goals, but I think we stayed with it. We tried hard the whole time and had the Batavia pride in there.”
But as has been typical all spring, Geneva’s defense was a wall.
With centerback Leah Groven and goalkeeper Emma Harkelroad as the senior anchors, the Vikings relied heavily on its deep bench (reserves Kelly Konicek, Kristina Lockner, Cali Stephenson, Caitlin Farrell and Madeline Yelle all saw extensive second-half playing time) and didn’t miss a beat.
“I think communication is the main thing that keeps us going,” said Groven. “I think we do a good job when people are subbed on and off – the people that come in have high intensity and they come on playing really strong. Every person on our team is strong, so anyone who subs on makes a difference.”
Groven’s nice block of a rocket by Batavia striker Keegan Maris 18 minutes in denied Batavia’s first strong answer to its 2-0 deficit.
“Leah Groven played really well in back for us, and Emma,” Owens said, “and at midfield Lauren Albrecht and Jenni Santacaterina all had really solid games.”
And in just her third match since being elevated from junior varsity, Geneva junior Mackenzie Bennett was in the middle of multiple big plays.
First, Bennett stepped in to break up and clear a Kelly Bleakley and Cameron Hindel attack 15 yards out.
Then 14:30 before halftime, Bennett nicely cleared an Avery Davis cross from the box, igniting a counterattack that ended with a Dominguez 20-yard shot just wide of the right post.
“I just go in hard, stay aggressive and leave it all on the field,” Bennett said. “It’s been a real change of pace going from JV to varsity.”
The pace of Batavia’s offense was a whole new level altogether. But Bennett was up to the test again on the biggest defensive play of the night with 13:45 left to play.
A Maris through-ball set up a race to the ball by Foster and Geneva’s Harkleroad. Foster was able to block Harkleroad’s clearing attempt and chase down the deflection at the left side of the box, but Foster’s rebound shot towards the vacant net was blocked by Bennett to keep the score 2-0.
“It was kind of a scary moment,” Bennett said, “but I just had to stay calm and try my best to get it out.”
Before that close call, the middle 40 minutes of the match was a back-and-forth of chances – mainly favoring Batavia.
Geneva had quality chances to add to the 2-0 lead, starting with White’s 23-yard low drive just wide-left off a Groven 52-yard free kick 20:30 before halftime.
Batavia threatened 12:20 before the half (Harkleroad’s catch in the crowd of a Gracey DiBiase corner kick) and 3:35 before the break (a Hindel drive just wide-right off a Foster pass) to head into the half with some momentum.
Geneva's Madeline Stellick (clear of the box on an Alex Piron and Shelby Key attack) and Lauren Albrecht (nice 50-50 ball win in the last 15 seconds) then thwarted Batavia chances in the final two minutes of the first half.
“We kind of stepped up the physicality” Foster said. “We wanted to dictate where the game was going and dictate the speed of play, and I think we did a good job of possessing and controlling the ball and where we wanted to go.
“I think we ended up getting a lot more chances than they did in the second half, so I think it was just being aggressive in the second half and not giving a care what happened in the first half – just forget about it.”
That all-out attitude showed on a Geneva corner kick with 36:10 to play – after Batavia goalkeeper Jenny Scara made a flying deflection at the post to deny a run to the net, the Bulldogs’ responded with a strong counterattack.
Then with 31:15 left, Maris’ cross was headed wide-right by Foster from 10 yards out.
Groven was dangerous all night on her long free kicks, and her 32-yard send with 28:05 to go was headed wide by Howe (who has a team-high 15 goals this season).
Batavia answered with 17:20 to go, as Hindel’s sideline win of a 50-50 ball and send set up another Foster sprint to the loose ball – with Harkleroad barely winning the race to cover up.
“Batavia was very strong even down a player,” Groven said. “They’re a strong team. It was hard to even tell they were down one.”
Santacaterina echoed that feeling.
“They definitely got a lot of pressure on us,” Santacaterina said. “After the half they came out with a chip on their shoulder. But we contained them well. We maybe didn’t play as hard, but we still get the win. It feels good.”
Said Owens: “I didn’t even notice it (Batavia being down to 10 players). Batavia played well and with a lot of fight – that (red card) gave them a little spark.”
After Molly McGavin headed a Caitlin Farrell corner kick wide with 14:15 left, Harkelroad’s short-hop save on a 20-yard Shelby Key shot with 11 minutes to go started Batavia’s last push.
Hindel’s chip to the box was deflected on goal by Bleakley with 6:05 left, and quality chances by Davis (10-yarder over the net with 3:05 to go) and Bleakley (just wide from 20 yards with 1:50 left) were also part of a relentless effort.
“I’m extremely proud,” Gianfrancesco said. “I’d like to play them (Geneva) again even up 11-on-11. I thought we had a lot of hard workers, hard work from all as a unit.
“It could have went south really quick, and it didn’t. Even after the second goal it didn’t. Then you saw the momentum we had. I thought we did have them on their heels for the most part.”
Having Geneva on its heels is one thing. But as 13 teams have now learned, beating the Vikings has been a whole different story.
“I’m proud of everyone,” Groven said, whose team has outscored opponents 57-3 this season. “We have strong players at every position, and every age group. Freshman to senior, everyone steps up and is a leader on the field and no one is timid.
“We come out with intensity every game. It doesn’t matter who play – we’re always as competitive as we can be.”
Playing Batavia had to hike that intensity level even more.
“It was definitely emotional,” Santacaterina said. “We just wanted to get this game done, get some goals in, and now we can see what our weaknesses are going forward.”
Those next steps forward are big – Thursday, defending state champion New Trier rolls into Geneva for a Naperville Invitational quarterfinal match and a hoped for march to the Saturday championship. Conference heavyweight St. Charles North follows on Monday.
“New Trier will be tough, and we have a big whole week ahead of us,” Santacaterina said.
Said Bennett: “I think we just have to regain ourselves defensively and offensively as well, and try to connect passes better,” Bennett said. “New Trier will definitely be a big challenge for us, but I think we’re ready.”
Geneva effectively relied on its depth to continue to roll Tuesday, but knows the road only gets harder.
“We have a tough stretch in front of us, but it’s a good test,” Owens said. “That’s what it’s about, mentally and physically.”
“We’re working on maintaining our intensity,” Owens added. “Sometimes it’s hard when you get a lead to maintain it, and that’s something we know we need to work on. As we play tougher and tougher teams, that can’t happen.”
That said, Owens is impressed by her team’s run – and the entire area soccer scene.
“My kids are working really hard, and I’m proud of their mental toughness too,” Owens said. “It’s hard to get up for every game. I’m proud they could maintain that.
“This speaks of Tri-Cities soccer, you know what I mean? As of tonight you had three undefeated teams, and St. Charles East with one loss to us. That is phenomenal. It’s the strongest these four teams have been in the 10 years since I’ve been here.
“It’s exciting. Sometimes I wish we weren’t all in the same conference or same sectional, but props to everybody. They’re all playing great right now.”
As for Batavia, Foster reflected on her team’s previously perfect start to 2017 – and its battle against the odds Tuesday.
“It’s going to be very lucky that any team goes undefeated for an entire season,” Foster said. “We can’t be too disappointed – we had an awesome run. It was a great game with nothing to be disappointed about – just a couple unlucky things.
“We have to learn that we have to bounce back. We bounced back in the second half, and hopefully we’ll finish out the season undefeated from here.”
Starting lineups
Batavia
GK- Jenny Scara
D- Alex Piron
D- Gracey DiBiase
D- Jenna Nichols
D- Amy TenHaken
M- Mackenzie Foster
M- Anna Rakos
M- Morgan Whalen
M- Cameron Hindel
F- Keegan Maris
F- Avery Davis
Geneva
GK- Emma Harkleroad
D- Jaden Ciesielski
D- Emily Hauser
D- Leah Groven
D- Mackenzie Bennett
M- Sydney Gratz
M- Madeline Rapach-Lagowski
M- Jenni Santacaterina
M- Alicia White
F- Jenna Dominguez
F- Stephanie Howe
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Jenni Santacaterina, sr. MF, Geneva
of unbeatens takes unexpected twist
Vikings win 2-0, Batavia plays 1 down after 4th-minute red card
By Dave Owen
GENEVA – It took just over three minutes for the complexion of the Batavia-Geneva battle of unbeatens Tuesday to shift dramatically.
A tackle in the box of Geneva’s Stephanie Howe 3:09 into the match not only gave the host Vikings a penalty kick (which Jenna Dominguez converted for a 1-0 lead), but a red card ruling that left Batavia one player short the rest of the night.
Despite a surprisingly fierce second half offensive attack, that 11-vs.-10 factor and an elite opponent was too much of a combination to overcome for the Lady Bulldogs, who suffered their first defeat in 12 matches.
For Geneva (13-0-0), its dominant 2017 run continued with an 11th shutout of the season and a 2-0 win.
On the key early play, a nice through-ball send by Sydney Gratz sprung Wolfe into the box. With a step on the defense, Howe was tripped from behind to earn a doubly crucial call.
“Simple through-ball, maybe slight miscommunication on it, and they did a nice job,” Batavia coach Mark Gianfrancesco said. “(Howe) got in behind and did a nice job, and those things happen.
“That (playing one player short) changed the complexion of the game. I thought our girls played really well. I’m proud of them and the character they showed, and how we created a lot more chances than they did after we went down a man. We were smart with the ball. We connected passes, and if we would have got one (goal) I think the momentum would have turned.”
But before Batavia’s strong response, Geneva had created plenty of breathing room for a huge win in terms of sectional seeding, the conference race and rivalry bragging rights.
“It’s nice to bring it back to Geneva,” Vikings coach Megan Owens said. “My seniors, the last time they won (over Batavia) was freshman year. We talked about that a little bit.
“Batavia’s a great group – they played with a lot of heart. It meant something special to this group (to win), and we had a great crowd tonight from both schools. That was awesome.”
Dominguez’s 13th goal of the season on the PK gave the Geneva fans reason to cheer early, and a nice set piece in the 17th minute added to the lead and Vikings fervor.
Alicia White’s corner kick reached Jenni Santacaterina at the back post. Her point-blank try grazed off a Batavia player and inside the post. The senior midfielder’s well-timed first goal of 2017 put Geneva up 2-0 with 24:14 left in the half.
“It was pretty lucky,” Santacaterina said. “I kind of just hit it, it went off her back, and it threw off the goalie. She (White) hit an awesome ball (on the corner).”
Outside of the two Geneva finishes, Batavia hardly looked like a team playing shorthanded. The Lady Bulldogs responded to the 2-0 deficit with steady offensive pressure and no defensive lapses.
“I would say it was very unlucky,” Batavia senior Mackenzie Foster said of the red card, “but we did a good job of keeping our heads in it and staying focused.
“We could have given up, and they could have scored a couple more goals, but I think we stayed with it. We tried hard the whole time and had the Batavia pride in there.”
But as has been typical all spring, Geneva’s defense was a wall.
With centerback Leah Groven and goalkeeper Emma Harkelroad as the senior anchors, the Vikings relied heavily on its deep bench (reserves Kelly Konicek, Kristina Lockner, Cali Stephenson, Caitlin Farrell and Madeline Yelle all saw extensive second-half playing time) and didn’t miss a beat.
“I think communication is the main thing that keeps us going,” said Groven. “I think we do a good job when people are subbed on and off – the people that come in have high intensity and they come on playing really strong. Every person on our team is strong, so anyone who subs on makes a difference.”
Groven’s nice block of a rocket by Batavia striker Keegan Maris 18 minutes in denied Batavia’s first strong answer to its 2-0 deficit.
“Leah Groven played really well in back for us, and Emma,” Owens said, “and at midfield Lauren Albrecht and Jenni Santacaterina all had really solid games.”
And in just her third match since being elevated from junior varsity, Geneva junior Mackenzie Bennett was in the middle of multiple big plays.
First, Bennett stepped in to break up and clear a Kelly Bleakley and Cameron Hindel attack 15 yards out.
Then 14:30 before halftime, Bennett nicely cleared an Avery Davis cross from the box, igniting a counterattack that ended with a Dominguez 20-yard shot just wide of the right post.
“I just go in hard, stay aggressive and leave it all on the field,” Bennett said. “It’s been a real change of pace going from JV to varsity.”
The pace of Batavia’s offense was a whole new level altogether. But Bennett was up to the test again on the biggest defensive play of the night with 13:45 left to play.
A Maris through-ball set up a race to the ball by Foster and Geneva’s Harkleroad. Foster was able to block Harkleroad’s clearing attempt and chase down the deflection at the left side of the box, but Foster’s rebound shot towards the vacant net was blocked by Bennett to keep the score 2-0.
“It was kind of a scary moment,” Bennett said, “but I just had to stay calm and try my best to get it out.”
Before that close call, the middle 40 minutes of the match was a back-and-forth of chances – mainly favoring Batavia.
Geneva had quality chances to add to the 2-0 lead, starting with White’s 23-yard low drive just wide-left off a Groven 52-yard free kick 20:30 before halftime.
Batavia threatened 12:20 before the half (Harkleroad’s catch in the crowd of a Gracey DiBiase corner kick) and 3:35 before the break (a Hindel drive just wide-right off a Foster pass) to head into the half with some momentum.
Geneva's Madeline Stellick (clear of the box on an Alex Piron and Shelby Key attack) and Lauren Albrecht (nice 50-50 ball win in the last 15 seconds) then thwarted Batavia chances in the final two minutes of the first half.
“We kind of stepped up the physicality” Foster said. “We wanted to dictate where the game was going and dictate the speed of play, and I think we did a good job of possessing and controlling the ball and where we wanted to go.
“I think we ended up getting a lot more chances than they did in the second half, so I think it was just being aggressive in the second half and not giving a care what happened in the first half – just forget about it.”
That all-out attitude showed on a Geneva corner kick with 36:10 to play – after Batavia goalkeeper Jenny Scara made a flying deflection at the post to deny a run to the net, the Bulldogs’ responded with a strong counterattack.
Then with 31:15 left, Maris’ cross was headed wide-right by Foster from 10 yards out.
Groven was dangerous all night on her long free kicks, and her 32-yard send with 28:05 to go was headed wide by Howe (who has a team-high 15 goals this season).
Batavia answered with 17:20 to go, as Hindel’s sideline win of a 50-50 ball and send set up another Foster sprint to the loose ball – with Harkleroad barely winning the race to cover up.
“Batavia was very strong even down a player,” Groven said. “They’re a strong team. It was hard to even tell they were down one.”
Santacaterina echoed that feeling.
“They definitely got a lot of pressure on us,” Santacaterina said. “After the half they came out with a chip on their shoulder. But we contained them well. We maybe didn’t play as hard, but we still get the win. It feels good.”
Said Owens: “I didn’t even notice it (Batavia being down to 10 players). Batavia played well and with a lot of fight – that (red card) gave them a little spark.”
After Molly McGavin headed a Caitlin Farrell corner kick wide with 14:15 left, Harkelroad’s short-hop save on a 20-yard Shelby Key shot with 11 minutes to go started Batavia’s last push.
Hindel’s chip to the box was deflected on goal by Bleakley with 6:05 left, and quality chances by Davis (10-yarder over the net with 3:05 to go) and Bleakley (just wide from 20 yards with 1:50 left) were also part of a relentless effort.
“I’m extremely proud,” Gianfrancesco said. “I’d like to play them (Geneva) again even up 11-on-11. I thought we had a lot of hard workers, hard work from all as a unit.
“It could have went south really quick, and it didn’t. Even after the second goal it didn’t. Then you saw the momentum we had. I thought we did have them on their heels for the most part.”
Having Geneva on its heels is one thing. But as 13 teams have now learned, beating the Vikings has been a whole different story.
“I’m proud of everyone,” Groven said, whose team has outscored opponents 57-3 this season. “We have strong players at every position, and every age group. Freshman to senior, everyone steps up and is a leader on the field and no one is timid.
“We come out with intensity every game. It doesn’t matter who play – we’re always as competitive as we can be.”
Playing Batavia had to hike that intensity level even more.
“It was definitely emotional,” Santacaterina said. “We just wanted to get this game done, get some goals in, and now we can see what our weaknesses are going forward.”
Those next steps forward are big – Thursday, defending state champion New Trier rolls into Geneva for a Naperville Invitational quarterfinal match and a hoped for march to the Saturday championship. Conference heavyweight St. Charles North follows on Monday.
“New Trier will be tough, and we have a big whole week ahead of us,” Santacaterina said.
Said Bennett: “I think we just have to regain ourselves defensively and offensively as well, and try to connect passes better,” Bennett said. “New Trier will definitely be a big challenge for us, but I think we’re ready.”
Geneva effectively relied on its depth to continue to roll Tuesday, but knows the road only gets harder.
“We have a tough stretch in front of us, but it’s a good test,” Owens said. “That’s what it’s about, mentally and physically.”
“We’re working on maintaining our intensity,” Owens added. “Sometimes it’s hard when you get a lead to maintain it, and that’s something we know we need to work on. As we play tougher and tougher teams, that can’t happen.”
That said, Owens is impressed by her team’s run – and the entire area soccer scene.
“My kids are working really hard, and I’m proud of their mental toughness too,” Owens said. “It’s hard to get up for every game. I’m proud they could maintain that.
“This speaks of Tri-Cities soccer, you know what I mean? As of tonight you had three undefeated teams, and St. Charles East with one loss to us. That is phenomenal. It’s the strongest these four teams have been in the 10 years since I’ve been here.
“It’s exciting. Sometimes I wish we weren’t all in the same conference or same sectional, but props to everybody. They’re all playing great right now.”
As for Batavia, Foster reflected on her team’s previously perfect start to 2017 – and its battle against the odds Tuesday.
“It’s going to be very lucky that any team goes undefeated for an entire season,” Foster said. “We can’t be too disappointed – we had an awesome run. It was a great game with nothing to be disappointed about – just a couple unlucky things.
“We have to learn that we have to bounce back. We bounced back in the second half, and hopefully we’ll finish out the season undefeated from here.”
Starting lineups
Batavia
GK- Jenny Scara
D- Alex Piron
D- Gracey DiBiase
D- Jenna Nichols
D- Amy TenHaken
M- Mackenzie Foster
M- Anna Rakos
M- Morgan Whalen
M- Cameron Hindel
F- Keegan Maris
F- Avery Davis
Geneva
GK- Emma Harkleroad
D- Jaden Ciesielski
D- Emily Hauser
D- Leah Groven
D- Mackenzie Bennett
M- Sydney Gratz
M- Madeline Rapach-Lagowski
M- Jenni Santacaterina
M- Alicia White
F- Jenna Dominguez
F- Stephanie Howe
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Jenni Santacaterina, sr. MF, Geneva