SCE edges Geneva 2-1 in Tri-Cities rivalry
No. 7 Saints remain a tough nemesis for no. 15 Vikings
By Steve Nemeth
ST. CHARLES -- What makes a rivalry special was on display throughout Geneva visit to St. Charles East on Saturday.
There was intensity, physical play, emotional displays, an answer to a previous goal, disputed calls, endless hustle, back-and-forth action, impressive passes, cannon shots, big saves, more than a few bruises, and an outcome in doubt until the final whistle.
And, ultimately, a postgame featuring handshakes and/or hugs among club soccer teammates or rivals.
Despite no scoring in the second half, the Fighting Saints held on for a 2-1 triumph that checked off several boxes for the hosts, yet didn’t discourage Geneva coach Meg Owens.
“We needed this one for a number of reasons,” East coach Vince DiNuzzo acknowledged as the Saints (10-3-0) avoided a third-straight loss. “It’s a (DuKane) conference win, a boost going into the Naperville Invitational, and a plus for (postseason) seeding.”
St. Charles East, ranked no. 7 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, reached double-digit wins overall and starts league play at 1-0-0.
While it wasn't the outcome Geneva wanted, the setback simply left the no. 15-rated Vikings with records of 5-2-1 and 1-1-0.
“Offensively our style is very much possession-oriented, and I thought we did a solid job with that,” said Owen. "I’m happy with how we created opportunities, happy that we answered back and kept fighting, really pleased with the sportsmanship we exhibited, just not happy with the result.
“We had a key injury (center back Amanda Rose) and had to adjust on the fly which is hard to do, plus we had some gone on college visits, and yet this could’ve gone either way.”
St. Charles East had several early tries either sail wide or high prior to Geneva’s Rose getting injured with 15 minutes and 7 seconds gone in the contest. The Saints capitalized on the senior tri-captain’s absence in the 18th minute. Elle McCaslin’s cross from the left led to a scramble with Hannah Miller finishing from nine yards.
“Seeing Elle making a great run down the side I knew she’d make a quality cross and with their keeper up off the line, I just hit it back post,” Miller said in regard to her 12th goal of the season. “Scoring during a match is so much better because you get to hear the cheers from the fans, and you know it gives our team a confidence boost.
“The fans’ reaction, knowing it's both a rivalry and conference match, all makes us work harder,” Miller noted.
The Saints upped the ante in the 22nd minute when Kayla Villa’s sixth assist found McCaslin in the clear for a 14-yarder from the left wing. The transfer from Plymouth High School in Canton, Mich., chalked up her team-best 15th goal to go with nine assists.
“Once I got the pass I was able to cut back on the dribble and could see the goalie leaning enough to let me go back post,” McCaslin said. “We’re always working on runs in practice, so I’m accustomed to my teammates making good passes. I try to do the same as was the case on our first goal.”
Just over a minute later, Geneva’s Chloe Frison launched a 32-yard bomb from the right side, but Saints keeper Grace Griffin handled the bounce as the ball knuckled netward. At the opposite end, East’s Jenna Sitta blasted a try that caromed off the crossbar.
Having dodged a three-goal deficit, it was with just under seven minutes later when Geneva made it a 2-1 contest in the 29th minute. Sydney Gratz earned her seventh assist by setting up Jenna Dominguez for a 14-yard strike from the right side.
“With Sydney working toward the net I just tried to time an off-the-ball run to be able to help her,” Dominguez said. “Whether I’m able to score or make a pass myself, my goal is to just help my team. We’ve got a group that gives 120 percent, and I believe it’s really important that we come out ready to play every time.”
From the opposite sideline, DiNuzzo associated that ability and mentality with the Geneva scoring leader.
“Jenna is just a dynamic player and really has the ability to finish. I thought we did a good job limiting her opportunities,” DiNuzzo said.
Nevertheless, it was a team-high 10th goal for Dominguez who has seldom not factored into the outcome of East-Geneva matches. As a junior, she scored for the Vikings in a 1-1 draw that was part of Geneva winning the Augsburg-Drach Invitational title for a second-straight year. In 2017, she had the first goal of a 4-0 Vikings win in that tourney and the initial goal when Geneva beat the Saints 3-1 in an Upstate Eight Conference clash.
East owns a 5-3-2 advantage over Geneva in the past four seasons. But in 2016 the Saints won twice during the regular season before Dominguez -- as a freshman -- lifted the Vikings to a 1-0 sectional semifinal triumph.
Saturday's second half began with the Saints on the offensive just 15 seconds in when Geneva goalie Katie Montgomery had to make a big save on a Miller blast from the left. A minute later Montgomery had to thwart a shot on the right side following an East throw-in. McCaslin blasted a 40-yard free kick on frame and then Renee Unterberg scorched a try from 25 yards out, but Montgomery was equal to the challenges.
“Katie had a great game for us,” Owens said.
Geneva’s Caitlin Farrell made an excellent cross but the necessary connection was just ahead of Dominguez. Farrell had a couple of solid attempts from the right, but Griffin handled the first and the second was wide left.
The Vikings’ Gratz had a blast from the middle requiring a Griffin stop before McCaslin had a pair of chances that got denied.
There was 3:49 left in regulation when Dominguez had a fastbreak that was negated by the hustle of East defensive standout Alondra Carranza.
“That’s Alondra. Her competitive nature showed, and that was a game-changing moment,” DiNuzzo said. “She’s simply stellar for us.”
Her philosophy was yet another definition of the rivalry.
“It’s a matter of pride, hustle and passion,” Carranza said. “I’m a defender so that’s what I have to do. It’s also what I want to do because of the chemistry our team has and our love for the game.”
Both teams now prepare for Thursday openers in the star-studded Naperville Invitational. East has a 5 p.m. match against no. 19 Waubonsie Valley at Naperville North. Geneva has a 7 p.m. meeting with no. 14 Neuqua Valley at Naperville Central. On Saturday the Saints have a high noon showdown with Hinsdale Central while that same time period has the Vikings battling no. 13 Sandburg.
Starting lineups
Geneva
GK Katie Montgomery
D Annie Brolly
D Katie Cannon
D Amanda Rose
D Ava Geen
M Annalise Spindle
M Katie Niermann
M Chloe Frison
F Jenna Dominguez
F Caitlin Farrell
F Sydney Gratz
St. Charles East
GK Grace Griffin
D Lindsey Rzeszutko
D Alondra Carranza
D Jessica Stepien
D Ashley D’Orio
M Hannah Miller
M Kayla Villa
M Renee Unterberg
M Christina Hull
F Jenna Sitta
F Elle McCaslin
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Elle McCaslin, jr. F, St. Charles East
Referees: Brett Richter (center), Matt Johnson, Joe Skoja
Game summary
St. Charles East 2, Geneva 1
Geneva 1 0 -- 1 ( 5-2-1 / DKC: 1-1-0)
SCE 2 0 -- 0 (10-3-0 / DKC: 1-0-0)
Scoring
First half
SCE --- Miller solid 9-yard finish off a scramble (McCaslin assist), 18:31 gone
SCE --- McCaslin 14-yarder from left flank (Villa assist), 22:44 gone
G --- Dominguez 13-yard blast from right wing (Gratz assist), 29:27 gone
Overall shots
G 6 – 6 --- 12
SCE 10 – 15 --- 25
Shots on goal
G 3 – 3 --- 6
SCE 5 – 10 --- 15
Saves (goalie):
G (Montgomery) 3 – 10 --- 13
SCE (Griffin) 2 – 3 --- 5
Corner kicks
G 1 – 0 --- 1
SCE 1 – 3 --- 4
Offsides
G 0 – 1 --- 1
SCE 0 – 0 --- 0
No. 7 Saints remain a tough nemesis for no. 15 Vikings
By Steve Nemeth
ST. CHARLES -- What makes a rivalry special was on display throughout Geneva visit to St. Charles East on Saturday.
There was intensity, physical play, emotional displays, an answer to a previous goal, disputed calls, endless hustle, back-and-forth action, impressive passes, cannon shots, big saves, more than a few bruises, and an outcome in doubt until the final whistle.
And, ultimately, a postgame featuring handshakes and/or hugs among club soccer teammates or rivals.
Despite no scoring in the second half, the Fighting Saints held on for a 2-1 triumph that checked off several boxes for the hosts, yet didn’t discourage Geneva coach Meg Owens.
“We needed this one for a number of reasons,” East coach Vince DiNuzzo acknowledged as the Saints (10-3-0) avoided a third-straight loss. “It’s a (DuKane) conference win, a boost going into the Naperville Invitational, and a plus for (postseason) seeding.”
St. Charles East, ranked no. 7 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, reached double-digit wins overall and starts league play at 1-0-0.
While it wasn't the outcome Geneva wanted, the setback simply left the no. 15-rated Vikings with records of 5-2-1 and 1-1-0.
“Offensively our style is very much possession-oriented, and I thought we did a solid job with that,” said Owen. "I’m happy with how we created opportunities, happy that we answered back and kept fighting, really pleased with the sportsmanship we exhibited, just not happy with the result.
“We had a key injury (center back Amanda Rose) and had to adjust on the fly which is hard to do, plus we had some gone on college visits, and yet this could’ve gone either way.”
St. Charles East had several early tries either sail wide or high prior to Geneva’s Rose getting injured with 15 minutes and 7 seconds gone in the contest. The Saints capitalized on the senior tri-captain’s absence in the 18th minute. Elle McCaslin’s cross from the left led to a scramble with Hannah Miller finishing from nine yards.
“Seeing Elle making a great run down the side I knew she’d make a quality cross and with their keeper up off the line, I just hit it back post,” Miller said in regard to her 12th goal of the season. “Scoring during a match is so much better because you get to hear the cheers from the fans, and you know it gives our team a confidence boost.
“The fans’ reaction, knowing it's both a rivalry and conference match, all makes us work harder,” Miller noted.
The Saints upped the ante in the 22nd minute when Kayla Villa’s sixth assist found McCaslin in the clear for a 14-yarder from the left wing. The transfer from Plymouth High School in Canton, Mich., chalked up her team-best 15th goal to go with nine assists.
“Once I got the pass I was able to cut back on the dribble and could see the goalie leaning enough to let me go back post,” McCaslin said. “We’re always working on runs in practice, so I’m accustomed to my teammates making good passes. I try to do the same as was the case on our first goal.”
Just over a minute later, Geneva’s Chloe Frison launched a 32-yard bomb from the right side, but Saints keeper Grace Griffin handled the bounce as the ball knuckled netward. At the opposite end, East’s Jenna Sitta blasted a try that caromed off the crossbar.
Having dodged a three-goal deficit, it was with just under seven minutes later when Geneva made it a 2-1 contest in the 29th minute. Sydney Gratz earned her seventh assist by setting up Jenna Dominguez for a 14-yard strike from the right side.
“With Sydney working toward the net I just tried to time an off-the-ball run to be able to help her,” Dominguez said. “Whether I’m able to score or make a pass myself, my goal is to just help my team. We’ve got a group that gives 120 percent, and I believe it’s really important that we come out ready to play every time.”
From the opposite sideline, DiNuzzo associated that ability and mentality with the Geneva scoring leader.
“Jenna is just a dynamic player and really has the ability to finish. I thought we did a good job limiting her opportunities,” DiNuzzo said.
Nevertheless, it was a team-high 10th goal for Dominguez who has seldom not factored into the outcome of East-Geneva matches. As a junior, she scored for the Vikings in a 1-1 draw that was part of Geneva winning the Augsburg-Drach Invitational title for a second-straight year. In 2017, she had the first goal of a 4-0 Vikings win in that tourney and the initial goal when Geneva beat the Saints 3-1 in an Upstate Eight Conference clash.
East owns a 5-3-2 advantage over Geneva in the past four seasons. But in 2016 the Saints won twice during the regular season before Dominguez -- as a freshman -- lifted the Vikings to a 1-0 sectional semifinal triumph.
Saturday's second half began with the Saints on the offensive just 15 seconds in when Geneva goalie Katie Montgomery had to make a big save on a Miller blast from the left. A minute later Montgomery had to thwart a shot on the right side following an East throw-in. McCaslin blasted a 40-yard free kick on frame and then Renee Unterberg scorched a try from 25 yards out, but Montgomery was equal to the challenges.
“Katie had a great game for us,” Owens said.
Geneva’s Caitlin Farrell made an excellent cross but the necessary connection was just ahead of Dominguez. Farrell had a couple of solid attempts from the right, but Griffin handled the first and the second was wide left.
The Vikings’ Gratz had a blast from the middle requiring a Griffin stop before McCaslin had a pair of chances that got denied.
There was 3:49 left in regulation when Dominguez had a fastbreak that was negated by the hustle of East defensive standout Alondra Carranza.
“That’s Alondra. Her competitive nature showed, and that was a game-changing moment,” DiNuzzo said. “She’s simply stellar for us.”
Her philosophy was yet another definition of the rivalry.
“It’s a matter of pride, hustle and passion,” Carranza said. “I’m a defender so that’s what I have to do. It’s also what I want to do because of the chemistry our team has and our love for the game.”
Both teams now prepare for Thursday openers in the star-studded Naperville Invitational. East has a 5 p.m. match against no. 19 Waubonsie Valley at Naperville North. Geneva has a 7 p.m. meeting with no. 14 Neuqua Valley at Naperville Central. On Saturday the Saints have a high noon showdown with Hinsdale Central while that same time period has the Vikings battling no. 13 Sandburg.
Starting lineups
Geneva
GK Katie Montgomery
D Annie Brolly
D Katie Cannon
D Amanda Rose
D Ava Geen
M Annalise Spindle
M Katie Niermann
M Chloe Frison
F Jenna Dominguez
F Caitlin Farrell
F Sydney Gratz
St. Charles East
GK Grace Griffin
D Lindsey Rzeszutko
D Alondra Carranza
D Jessica Stepien
D Ashley D’Orio
M Hannah Miller
M Kayla Villa
M Renee Unterberg
M Christina Hull
F Jenna Sitta
F Elle McCaslin
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Elle McCaslin, jr. F, St. Charles East
Referees: Brett Richter (center), Matt Johnson, Joe Skoja
Game summary
St. Charles East 2, Geneva 1
Geneva 1 0 -- 1 ( 5-2-1 / DKC: 1-1-0)
SCE 2 0 -- 0 (10-3-0 / DKC: 1-0-0)
Scoring
First half
SCE --- Miller solid 9-yard finish off a scramble (McCaslin assist), 18:31 gone
SCE --- McCaslin 14-yarder from left flank (Villa assist), 22:44 gone
G --- Dominguez 13-yard blast from right wing (Gratz assist), 29:27 gone
Overall shots
G 6 – 6 --- 12
SCE 10 – 15 --- 25
Shots on goal
G 3 – 3 --- 6
SCE 5 – 10 --- 15
Saves (goalie):
G (Montgomery) 3 – 10 --- 13
SCE (Griffin) 2 – 3 --- 5
Corner kicks
G 1 – 0 --- 1
SCE 1 – 3 --- 4
Offsides
G 0 – 1 --- 1
SCE 0 – 0 --- 0