Imperfect storm aids Geneva over S. Elgin Vikings increase unbeaten string to 4 with 2-0 win
By Steve Nemeth
GENEVA --- Officially, every Geneva shot on goal was stopped by South Elgin’s keepers, however, also officially the host Vikings won Thursday’s nonconference match by a 2-0 tally.
Aided by an “imperfect Storm”, Geneva (2-6-2) can now boast of a four-match unbeaten string after its season-opening six-game skid. The Vikings are 2-0-2 showing in their most recent outings.
The unusual evening began innocently enough when Anthony Sisler of South Elgin (1-7-1) bombed a 34-yarder wide left six minutes in. Geneva’s first true attack came when Jack Cannon made a strong cross from the far right at 11:50.
This past summer marked the debut of the VAR – video assistant referee – in World Cup play. Major League Soccer began using it in 2017, but its future in college or high school action is uncertain.
What is certain is that what transpired would have required slow-motion VAR from a few angles because of differing thoughts on what happened.
On the first goal, South Elgin coach Simon Brinklow remains convinced Storm starting goalie Nicklaus Harris had the ball knocked out of his hands. Harris also insisted the ball was dislodged from his grasp.
Host Geneva naturally announced a goal for the Vikings’ Jack Belloli.
“On the service I jumped up at least hoping to create some confusion. I thought I backed the ball into the net,” Belloli said.
After a meeting between the center official and the assistant referee nearest the end line, the play was ruled to be an own goal and was recorded on the official’s card as the goalie losing possession into his own net.
With play resuming and Geneva leading 1-0, the rest of the half featured some solid saves by both Harris and Viking goalie Chris Morales.
In a match where the best offense for one team was theoretically the opponent’s defense, Morales’ second clean-sheet in three matches earned him Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match acclaim.
Considering five of those first six losses – including two 1-0 defeats – came courtesy of Chicagoland Soccer Top 25-ranked teams and his two shutouts bookend a 1-1 draw versus no. 25 squad St. Charles North; Morales deserves credit for perseverance and avoiding the fatigue of depressing losses.
“It’s just a matter of maintaining focus, and honestly, credit always has to be shared with the backline,” Morales said. “When you’re able to make two or three saves, especially some tough ones, your confidence grows.
“Although I try not to think about (earning a shutout), the other team is usually pressing hard in the last 10 minutes. Communication is a key and reminding the defenders to hold strong,” Morales said.
“Obviously he saved the win for us so to speak,” Geneva coach Jason Bhatta said. “There were a few reflex saves, and those kept them off the scoreboard.”
Shortly after the first goal of the match, South Elgin’s Jacob Zupan had a golden opportunity out-front but the shot went wide right. At the opposite end, Geneva’s Ethan Hipp sent a cross that went begging for a re-direct. Just under 15 in, Cannon launched a rocket putback but Storm standout defender Elija Patrick headed the ball clear.
In the 19th minute, Stuart Turnbull attacked from the left and blasted a try from 11 yards that Harris smothered for a Pat Foley-esque “big save” play. The final nine minutes of the opening half featured the Storm offense. Ryan Doherty had a textbook service that was headed high, Daniel Quintana boomed a 10-yarder that Morales kick saved.
Quintana’s service was a quality set up for a Zupan header that Morales grabbed. The Geneva senior also made a huge block on a missile from Zupan with 3:20 left before halftime.
The Storm continued its intensity early in the second half. Elias Hernandez had a shot curve to the left, a Sisler cross found Quintana but his shot also missed to the left and an attempt by Doherty was high.
Geneva answered. Colin Fromm was on a fastbreak, however, Patrick raced back to dispossess the ball. The Vikings returned and Belloli’s service gave Jack Eiss a clear shot, but second half Storm keeper Christian Andrew was equal to the task.
At 58:52, South Elgin’s Sisler executed a lethal throw-in that drew a cluster directly in front of Morales but the header rose over the goal. At the other end, it was an Eiss service that was inches over Belloli’s head. The Storm then had a Zupan direct kick on a restart fail to dip.
Fromm’s cross was ultimately tapped goal-ward by Daniel Belzre, but Andrew blocked it out of bounds. With reserve Al Marquardt taking a one of Geneva’s six corner kicks in the second half, it was the deja vy blues again for South Elgin.
The ball ricocheted off a Storm defender and in for the second “own goal” listing on the center referee’s match card.
Energized by the two-goal advantage, Geneva hoped for another fast break, however, South Elgin’s Patrick took a blast directly off his face. Temporarily stunned, the sophomore defender shook off the effects and sprinted back to intercept another potential Vikings breakaway.
Adding to the unique evening was the ever-increasing crowd with the soccer match serving as the prelim to the Vikings’ Homecoming festivities. An evening that was featuring free barbecue courtesy of the Geneva PTA, also had the steady drumbeat of the marching band making its way from the school to Burgess Field and lining the far side of the field.
Undaunted, South Elgin’s Quintana hit a cracker off the crossbar and the putback attempt from Jose Rangel was blocked. Storm keeper Andrew averted another dangerous scenario by racing to the top of the box to smother a ball with Geneva players closing in.
The Vikings’ Fromm took off for another breakaway and managed to get around out-rushing Andrew by going toward the endline to the left of the goal. His shot was then saved by South Elgin defender Edwin Ayala with 5:58 remaining in regulation. The Storm’s Victor Chagoya was fouled while making a defensive clear at 4:42 left and there was 3:48 showing when another collision involving Andrew and a Viking player produced the last Geneva corner kick.
South Elgin pressed on and Morales cut off a cross as 1:23 showed on the clock. A Miguel Salas effort was absorbed by Geneva defender Matt Fuller and one last shot by Zupan for the Storm sailed over the goal.
Faced with a major rebuilding, South Elgin coach Simon Brinklow is forced to keep the Storm’s efforts in perspective due to multiple factors. The day before was an 8-0 thumping courtesy of 12th-ranked Elgin.
“We were outplayed, outworked, and outclassed yesterday, so today I asked them to find a response,” Brinklow explained. “In that context, this was a good performance.”
The loss also stood in contrast to last season when a more senior-laden South Elgin roster took a 5-0 loss in a visit to Geneva after the Storm was a 2-1 winner in 2016.
Another plus was the efforts from Quintana, a first half substitute who played much of the second half.
“That was clearly the best match he’s played. He was just on the ball today making runs behind their defense, he hit the crossbar, and just kept finding holes,” Brinklow noted.
The final score also didn’t do justice to the efforts made by South Elgin on defense. Both goalies – Harris and Andrew – had numerous defensive catches or clears to go along with two saves. Storm defenders Patrick and Ayala also recorded saves by stopping potential goals.
“Bottom line is I play for the team and our school. If I’m not playing my best, (then) I’m not doing what comes with a captain’s role,” Patrick said. “We haven’t had the outcomes we’d like, but it’s important we continue to play as a family, and we have fun together. So I just try to lift them up and help us keep the faith.”
South Elgin has an open weekend to regroup for a Tuesday nonconference home date with Dundee-Crown followed by the second half of its Upstate Eight Conference slate.
Geneva now gears up with the plan of adding to its 0-0-2 DuKane Conference ledger. The Vikings visit St. Charles East on Tuesday and then return to the Saints’ pitch on Sept. 20 to face Batavia as part of the Tri-Cities Night doubleheader.
Tri-captain Belloli was quick to note the difference the Vikings’ turnaround has produced.
“There’s definitely a whole different feel in the locker room. We’re playing with more confidence, and our chemistry is so much better,” Belloli said. “We’re really pushing ourselves to work harder and stay this competitive.”
It was also the second-straight match Geneva worked with a 5-3-2 formation hoping to give up fewer goals while utilizing speed for counterattacks. The lone change in the starting lineup was Ethan Hipp taking over a midfield slot after sophomore Joey Carli suffered a broken right arm in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with St. Charles North.
“Four straight (without a loss) reflects the building I was hoping for after a rough start,” Bhatta said. “Despite leading 1-0, I was not happy with our first half, the second half we were far more dangerous, more in keeping with the common message before each game, be competitive.
“Colin (Fromm) continues to be an example of the work ethic we need. He might not get the ball, but he’s always working for it or to help his teammates. He turns in a good shift every time,” Bhatta added.
Starting lineups
South Elgin
GK Nicklaus Harris
D Grayson Downsing
D Elijah Patrick
D Edwin Ayala
D Ryan Doherty
M Jacob Zupan
M Julian Defensor
M Zack Rys
M Elias Hernandez
F Lucas Reutimann
F Anthony Sisler
Geneva
GK Chris Morales
D Josh Eiss
D Stuart Turnbull
D Mark Migliazzo
D Evan Horvath
D Jack Cannon
M Ethan Hipp
M Domnick Peri
M Jack Belloli
F Colin Fromm
F Joel Peruba
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Chris Morales, sr., GK, Geneva
Referees: Chuck Raksinh (center), Rauel Farfan, Brett Richter
Game summary
Geneva 2, South Elgin 0
South Elgin (2-7-1) 0 0 --- 0
Geneva (2-6-2) 1 1 --- 2
Scoring
First half
G --- South Elgin own goal (unassisted), 11:50 gone
Second half
G – South Elgin own goal (unassisted), 74:17 gone
Shots
SE 6 – 8 --- 14
G 5 – 6 --- 11
Shots on goal
SE 3 – 3 --- 6
G 3 – 3 --- 6
Saves (GK/defender)
SE (Harris 40 min. 2 / Patrick 1) 3 – (Andrew 2 / Ayala 1) 3 --- 6
G (Morales 80min) 3 – 3 --- 6
Corner kicks
SE 2 – 2 --- 4
G 0 – 6 --- 6
Offsides
SE 0 – 0 --- 0
G 1 – 2 --- 3
By Steve Nemeth
GENEVA --- Officially, every Geneva shot on goal was stopped by South Elgin’s keepers, however, also officially the host Vikings won Thursday’s nonconference match by a 2-0 tally.
Aided by an “imperfect Storm”, Geneva (2-6-2) can now boast of a four-match unbeaten string after its season-opening six-game skid. The Vikings are 2-0-2 showing in their most recent outings.
The unusual evening began innocently enough when Anthony Sisler of South Elgin (1-7-1) bombed a 34-yarder wide left six minutes in. Geneva’s first true attack came when Jack Cannon made a strong cross from the far right at 11:50.
This past summer marked the debut of the VAR – video assistant referee – in World Cup play. Major League Soccer began using it in 2017, but its future in college or high school action is uncertain.
What is certain is that what transpired would have required slow-motion VAR from a few angles because of differing thoughts on what happened.
On the first goal, South Elgin coach Simon Brinklow remains convinced Storm starting goalie Nicklaus Harris had the ball knocked out of his hands. Harris also insisted the ball was dislodged from his grasp.
Host Geneva naturally announced a goal for the Vikings’ Jack Belloli.
“On the service I jumped up at least hoping to create some confusion. I thought I backed the ball into the net,” Belloli said.
After a meeting between the center official and the assistant referee nearest the end line, the play was ruled to be an own goal and was recorded on the official’s card as the goalie losing possession into his own net.
With play resuming and Geneva leading 1-0, the rest of the half featured some solid saves by both Harris and Viking goalie Chris Morales.
In a match where the best offense for one team was theoretically the opponent’s defense, Morales’ second clean-sheet in three matches earned him Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match acclaim.
Considering five of those first six losses – including two 1-0 defeats – came courtesy of Chicagoland Soccer Top 25-ranked teams and his two shutouts bookend a 1-1 draw versus no. 25 squad St. Charles North; Morales deserves credit for perseverance and avoiding the fatigue of depressing losses.
“It’s just a matter of maintaining focus, and honestly, credit always has to be shared with the backline,” Morales said. “When you’re able to make two or three saves, especially some tough ones, your confidence grows.
“Although I try not to think about (earning a shutout), the other team is usually pressing hard in the last 10 minutes. Communication is a key and reminding the defenders to hold strong,” Morales said.
“Obviously he saved the win for us so to speak,” Geneva coach Jason Bhatta said. “There were a few reflex saves, and those kept them off the scoreboard.”
Shortly after the first goal of the match, South Elgin’s Jacob Zupan had a golden opportunity out-front but the shot went wide right. At the opposite end, Geneva’s Ethan Hipp sent a cross that went begging for a re-direct. Just under 15 in, Cannon launched a rocket putback but Storm standout defender Elija Patrick headed the ball clear.
In the 19th minute, Stuart Turnbull attacked from the left and blasted a try from 11 yards that Harris smothered for a Pat Foley-esque “big save” play. The final nine minutes of the opening half featured the Storm offense. Ryan Doherty had a textbook service that was headed high, Daniel Quintana boomed a 10-yarder that Morales kick saved.
Quintana’s service was a quality set up for a Zupan header that Morales grabbed. The Geneva senior also made a huge block on a missile from Zupan with 3:20 left before halftime.
The Storm continued its intensity early in the second half. Elias Hernandez had a shot curve to the left, a Sisler cross found Quintana but his shot also missed to the left and an attempt by Doherty was high.
Geneva answered. Colin Fromm was on a fastbreak, however, Patrick raced back to dispossess the ball. The Vikings returned and Belloli’s service gave Jack Eiss a clear shot, but second half Storm keeper Christian Andrew was equal to the task.
At 58:52, South Elgin’s Sisler executed a lethal throw-in that drew a cluster directly in front of Morales but the header rose over the goal. At the other end, it was an Eiss service that was inches over Belloli’s head. The Storm then had a Zupan direct kick on a restart fail to dip.
Fromm’s cross was ultimately tapped goal-ward by Daniel Belzre, but Andrew blocked it out of bounds. With reserve Al Marquardt taking a one of Geneva’s six corner kicks in the second half, it was the deja vy blues again for South Elgin.
The ball ricocheted off a Storm defender and in for the second “own goal” listing on the center referee’s match card.
Energized by the two-goal advantage, Geneva hoped for another fast break, however, South Elgin’s Patrick took a blast directly off his face. Temporarily stunned, the sophomore defender shook off the effects and sprinted back to intercept another potential Vikings breakaway.
Adding to the unique evening was the ever-increasing crowd with the soccer match serving as the prelim to the Vikings’ Homecoming festivities. An evening that was featuring free barbecue courtesy of the Geneva PTA, also had the steady drumbeat of the marching band making its way from the school to Burgess Field and lining the far side of the field.
Undaunted, South Elgin’s Quintana hit a cracker off the crossbar and the putback attempt from Jose Rangel was blocked. Storm keeper Andrew averted another dangerous scenario by racing to the top of the box to smother a ball with Geneva players closing in.
The Vikings’ Fromm took off for another breakaway and managed to get around out-rushing Andrew by going toward the endline to the left of the goal. His shot was then saved by South Elgin defender Edwin Ayala with 5:58 remaining in regulation. The Storm’s Victor Chagoya was fouled while making a defensive clear at 4:42 left and there was 3:48 showing when another collision involving Andrew and a Viking player produced the last Geneva corner kick.
South Elgin pressed on and Morales cut off a cross as 1:23 showed on the clock. A Miguel Salas effort was absorbed by Geneva defender Matt Fuller and one last shot by Zupan for the Storm sailed over the goal.
Faced with a major rebuilding, South Elgin coach Simon Brinklow is forced to keep the Storm’s efforts in perspective due to multiple factors. The day before was an 8-0 thumping courtesy of 12th-ranked Elgin.
“We were outplayed, outworked, and outclassed yesterday, so today I asked them to find a response,” Brinklow explained. “In that context, this was a good performance.”
The loss also stood in contrast to last season when a more senior-laden South Elgin roster took a 5-0 loss in a visit to Geneva after the Storm was a 2-1 winner in 2016.
Another plus was the efforts from Quintana, a first half substitute who played much of the second half.
“That was clearly the best match he’s played. He was just on the ball today making runs behind their defense, he hit the crossbar, and just kept finding holes,” Brinklow noted.
The final score also didn’t do justice to the efforts made by South Elgin on defense. Both goalies – Harris and Andrew – had numerous defensive catches or clears to go along with two saves. Storm defenders Patrick and Ayala also recorded saves by stopping potential goals.
“Bottom line is I play for the team and our school. If I’m not playing my best, (then) I’m not doing what comes with a captain’s role,” Patrick said. “We haven’t had the outcomes we’d like, but it’s important we continue to play as a family, and we have fun together. So I just try to lift them up and help us keep the faith.”
South Elgin has an open weekend to regroup for a Tuesday nonconference home date with Dundee-Crown followed by the second half of its Upstate Eight Conference slate.
Geneva now gears up with the plan of adding to its 0-0-2 DuKane Conference ledger. The Vikings visit St. Charles East on Tuesday and then return to the Saints’ pitch on Sept. 20 to face Batavia as part of the Tri-Cities Night doubleheader.
Tri-captain Belloli was quick to note the difference the Vikings’ turnaround has produced.
“There’s definitely a whole different feel in the locker room. We’re playing with more confidence, and our chemistry is so much better,” Belloli said. “We’re really pushing ourselves to work harder and stay this competitive.”
It was also the second-straight match Geneva worked with a 5-3-2 formation hoping to give up fewer goals while utilizing speed for counterattacks. The lone change in the starting lineup was Ethan Hipp taking over a midfield slot after sophomore Joey Carli suffered a broken right arm in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with St. Charles North.
“Four straight (without a loss) reflects the building I was hoping for after a rough start,” Bhatta said. “Despite leading 1-0, I was not happy with our first half, the second half we were far more dangerous, more in keeping with the common message before each game, be competitive.
“Colin (Fromm) continues to be an example of the work ethic we need. He might not get the ball, but he’s always working for it or to help his teammates. He turns in a good shift every time,” Bhatta added.
Starting lineups
South Elgin
GK Nicklaus Harris
D Grayson Downsing
D Elijah Patrick
D Edwin Ayala
D Ryan Doherty
M Jacob Zupan
M Julian Defensor
M Zack Rys
M Elias Hernandez
F Lucas Reutimann
F Anthony Sisler
Geneva
GK Chris Morales
D Josh Eiss
D Stuart Turnbull
D Mark Migliazzo
D Evan Horvath
D Jack Cannon
M Ethan Hipp
M Domnick Peri
M Jack Belloli
F Colin Fromm
F Joel Peruba
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Chris Morales, sr., GK, Geneva
Referees: Chuck Raksinh (center), Rauel Farfan, Brett Richter
Game summary
Geneva 2, South Elgin 0
South Elgin (2-7-1) 0 0 --- 0
Geneva (2-6-2) 1 1 --- 2
Scoring
First half
G --- South Elgin own goal (unassisted), 11:50 gone
Second half
G – South Elgin own goal (unassisted), 74:17 gone
Shots
SE 6 – 8 --- 14
G 5 – 6 --- 11
Shots on goal
SE 3 – 3 --- 6
G 3 – 3 --- 6
Saves (GK/defender)
SE (Harris 40 min. 2 / Patrick 1) 3 – (Andrew 2 / Ayala 1) 3 --- 6
G (Morales 80min) 3 – 3 --- 6
Corner kicks
SE 2 – 2 --- 4
G 0 – 6 --- 6
Offsides
SE 0 – 0 --- 0
G 1 – 2 --- 3