Geneva seniors enjoy night vs. Wheaton A.
Vikings post 2-0 win over Class AA title contenders
By Steve Nemeth
GENEVA -- If it turns out to be their last match on Burgess Field, Geneva’s seniors can relish Thursday’s 2-0 victory over Wheaton Academy.
But the truth is that all eight graduates to be and the rest of their teammates really would like to be back on their turf 12 days after their Senior Night festivities. That would mean the Vikings are contestants in the Class 3A sectional they’ll host starting May 22.
If that wish becomes a reality, it would mean an eighth regional plaque in coach Megan Owens’ 10-year tenure, and it could possibly include a regional title game win over rival St. Charles East. Of course, the Vikings (11-6-4) – seeded fifth among the 16 sectional schools – understand they must first take care of regional host and no. 12-seed Hoffman Estates and then whomever wins the other semifinal between the fourth-seeded Saints and no. 13-seed Rolling Meadows.
“It’s awesome to end the regular season with a win at home, but we would like to win some more on this field,” said Lauren Albrecht, whose all-around play in midfield earned her Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match status. “We hadn’t had all the seniors on the field at one time, and it was nice to see that happen in our last game. Plus we did a nice job of connecting passes tonight.”
Geneva customized its starters to fit the special event.
“Obviously it wasn’t our usual starting line-up but I really thought they passed the ball well and the connections were so seamless you wouldn’t know this was a unique line-up,” Owens said.
In addition to Albrecht and fellow co-captain Kelly Konicek, the other members of the senior class who were feted were Jaden Ciesielski, Olivia Tegge, Gillian Moncrieff, Annaliese Kristina Lockner, Isabella Magpantay and Mackenzie Bennett.
Magpantay got things started in the first three minutes with a shot from the right wing that required a save from Wheaton Academy goalie Marta Oster.
The visitors countered with a strong left-footed shot by Sophie Lindquist and powerful putback from Danielle Bessey for Geneva keeper Katie Montgomery’s initial tests. The Vikings steadily began building an edge statistically and at 30:10, Oster raced off her line to knock the ball away from the Vikings’ on-rushing Jenna Dominguez. In the ensuing scramble Moncrieff had a putback that Oster also saved.
However, with 7:54 left before halftime, Geneva’s Sydney Gratz earned her team-high 12th assist when she set up Stephanie Howe for her seventh goal.
“Sydney was taking the ball down the side so I made sure to get into open space at the top of the 18 knowing she’d find me,” Howe recalled. “I saw the keeper out a bit extra and just hit for the left side. It felt great and was the result of a lot of repetitions in practice.
“The big thing in getting the first goal of a match is it gets momentum in our favor,” Howe added. “I think it makes the whole team work harder. We definitely had a lot more energy.”
The Warriors had a couple solid opportunities from Lindquist, but one try from distance went wide right and Montgomery handled the other. With just 25 seconds remaining until intermission, Oster made a huge save on an absolute rocket shot from Dominguez
The second half began with an Amy Alexander chip shot for Wheaton Academy that sailed too high before more back-and-forth play took over. With 26:34 to go in regulation, Geneva’s Bennett had a potential goal nullified by a stoppage whistled on an injury to the Warriors' Swoboda. Play resumed with an indirect kick for the Vikings, but an Albrecht blast was absorbed by a Wheaton Academy defensive wall.
Just a matter of a few more seconds elapsed when reserve forward Ava Geen pounced on a loose ball from a deflection and found pay dirt.
That goal at 63:41 combined with a couple injury stoppages took the wind out of the Wheaton Academy sails. The Warriors were shut out for a second-consecutive game for the first time this season and fifth time all year.
Wheaton Academy (11-6-2) had stretches of strong possession, but the Warriors never quite got the last connection necessary for a goal. Coach Jeff Brooke’s crew will serve as a Class AA regional host and the home field advantage could come help overcome a number of injuries.
“Prior to that second goal, I thought since the first one we calmed down and kept the ball moving well, ” Brooke said. “I was proud of how we kept battling and often had good possessions. When we lost our center back, they were able to capitalize for another one. After the second goal, they took over, and we did too much chasing.”
For Geneva it was the eighth time Montgomery and the Vikings defense earned a clean-sheet and was an encore to keeping rival and 22nd-ranked St. Charles East out of the net in a 0-0 draw that was part of the annual Tri-City Night twinbill.
“It feels really good to win the last regular season home game, and it felt like everyone had come together for each other,” Konicek said. “Tonight meant a lot for the seniors, but I also believe as a team we’ll be playing with more intensity every game.”
That sentiment was certainly echoed by Magpantay: “With all the seniors out there at one time, there was a different kind of intensity. I believe this will push us to train harder and keep this momentum going. This win and the senior night experience brought us together.”
That could be a danger sign for opponents -- in 2017 Geneva made a second-straight trip to the Sweet 16 while it posted the second-best record (21-2-1) in school history and the mark for fewest losses.
“From the start of the year to now, they’ve really gotten on the same page,” Geneva assistant coach Taylor Baker noted. “The connections are clear; they understand when and where to make a run and their teammates make the passes. And this is the perfect time of the year for it to come together.”
For Wheaton Academy there is no need for panic, just perhaps a few extra bags of ice and rest. As usual, the Warriors have played as many Class 3A programs as possible to be better prepared for their postseason.
“Simply put we want to stretch ourselves,” Brooke explained. “We put teams on the schedule that will help prepare us for our postseason.”
If there could possibly be one person with an understandable objection it might be the Warriors’ goalie, but Oster isn’t that type. Wheaton Academy once again generally steamrolled its way to an unbeaten Metro Suburban Conference Blue Division title. Against league opposition, the Warriors outscored their foes 26-4. Toss in three crossover matches against the other division and the gap becomes 39-8.
“Playing 3A teams is a challenge we like,” Oster said. “Me personally, I'd rather play 3A teams and lose a close one than blow out someone from AA. Challenging ourselves is the best way for us to get better.
“Even in a game like this one, if somebody gets hurt we pick up our energy and try to do our best for them knowing they’d want to be out there. We’ve got about five people hurt or limited, so it’s important we encourage each other,” Oster added. “No matter what happens, we don’t blame anyone. We simply try to boost each other. Our biggest strength is our unity.”
Wheaton Academy is the top seed within the 17-school Fenwick Sectional structure so there is a target on the Warriors' back. However Brooke and his squad are the ones responsible for it being there.
Wheaton Academy will open state tournament play at 5 p.m.May 16 against the winner of the quarterfinal match between no. 16-seed Chicago Christian and 17th-seeded Westinghouse.
Starting lineups
Wheaton Academy
GK: Marta Oster
D: Maggie Bailey
D: Emma Goebel
D: Lizzy Swoboda
D: Danielle Bessey
M: Amy Alexander
M: Sophie Lindquist
M: Anne Camille Hardy
M: Erin Teevans
F: Rebecca Steininger
F: Morgan Finnegan
Geneva
GK: Katie Montgomery
D: Jaden Ciesielski
D: Amanda Rose
D: Annaliese Kristina Lockner
D: Isabella Magpantay
M: Kelly Konicek
M: Lauren Albrecht
M: Olivia Tegge
M: Mackenzie Bennett
F: Jenna Dominguez
F: Gillian Moncrieff
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Lauren Albrecht, sr., M, Geneva
Referees: Dylan Kramer, Mike Lichtfuss, Sam Huzar
Game summary
Geneva 2, Wheaton Academy 0
Wheaton Academy 0 0 --- 0 (11-6-2)
Geneva 1 1 --- 2 (11-6-4)
Scoring
First half
G ---Howe 19-yard blast from middle inside left side (Gratz assist), 32:06 gone
Second half
G --- Geen loose ball follow-up from 11 yards (unassisted), 63:41 gone
Shots
WA 6 – 4 --- 10
G 9 – 9 --- 18
Shots on goal
WA 4 – 1 --- 5
G 7 – 5 --- 12
Saves (goalie)
WA (Oster) 6 -- 4 --- 10
G (Montgomery) 4 – 1 --- 5
Corner kicks
WA 1 – 0 --- 2
G 2 – 2 --- 4
Offsides
WA 0 – 0 --- 0
G 0 – 0 --- 0
Vikings post 2-0 win over Class AA title contenders
By Steve Nemeth
GENEVA -- If it turns out to be their last match on Burgess Field, Geneva’s seniors can relish Thursday’s 2-0 victory over Wheaton Academy.
But the truth is that all eight graduates to be and the rest of their teammates really would like to be back on their turf 12 days after their Senior Night festivities. That would mean the Vikings are contestants in the Class 3A sectional they’ll host starting May 22.
If that wish becomes a reality, it would mean an eighth regional plaque in coach Megan Owens’ 10-year tenure, and it could possibly include a regional title game win over rival St. Charles East. Of course, the Vikings (11-6-4) – seeded fifth among the 16 sectional schools – understand they must first take care of regional host and no. 12-seed Hoffman Estates and then whomever wins the other semifinal between the fourth-seeded Saints and no. 13-seed Rolling Meadows.
“It’s awesome to end the regular season with a win at home, but we would like to win some more on this field,” said Lauren Albrecht, whose all-around play in midfield earned her Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match status. “We hadn’t had all the seniors on the field at one time, and it was nice to see that happen in our last game. Plus we did a nice job of connecting passes tonight.”
Geneva customized its starters to fit the special event.
“Obviously it wasn’t our usual starting line-up but I really thought they passed the ball well and the connections were so seamless you wouldn’t know this was a unique line-up,” Owens said.
In addition to Albrecht and fellow co-captain Kelly Konicek, the other members of the senior class who were feted were Jaden Ciesielski, Olivia Tegge, Gillian Moncrieff, Annaliese Kristina Lockner, Isabella Magpantay and Mackenzie Bennett.
Magpantay got things started in the first three minutes with a shot from the right wing that required a save from Wheaton Academy goalie Marta Oster.
The visitors countered with a strong left-footed shot by Sophie Lindquist and powerful putback from Danielle Bessey for Geneva keeper Katie Montgomery’s initial tests. The Vikings steadily began building an edge statistically and at 30:10, Oster raced off her line to knock the ball away from the Vikings’ on-rushing Jenna Dominguez. In the ensuing scramble Moncrieff had a putback that Oster also saved.
However, with 7:54 left before halftime, Geneva’s Sydney Gratz earned her team-high 12th assist when she set up Stephanie Howe for her seventh goal.
“Sydney was taking the ball down the side so I made sure to get into open space at the top of the 18 knowing she’d find me,” Howe recalled. “I saw the keeper out a bit extra and just hit for the left side. It felt great and was the result of a lot of repetitions in practice.
“The big thing in getting the first goal of a match is it gets momentum in our favor,” Howe added. “I think it makes the whole team work harder. We definitely had a lot more energy.”
The Warriors had a couple solid opportunities from Lindquist, but one try from distance went wide right and Montgomery handled the other. With just 25 seconds remaining until intermission, Oster made a huge save on an absolute rocket shot from Dominguez
The second half began with an Amy Alexander chip shot for Wheaton Academy that sailed too high before more back-and-forth play took over. With 26:34 to go in regulation, Geneva’s Bennett had a potential goal nullified by a stoppage whistled on an injury to the Warriors' Swoboda. Play resumed with an indirect kick for the Vikings, but an Albrecht blast was absorbed by a Wheaton Academy defensive wall.
Just a matter of a few more seconds elapsed when reserve forward Ava Geen pounced on a loose ball from a deflection and found pay dirt.
That goal at 63:41 combined with a couple injury stoppages took the wind out of the Wheaton Academy sails. The Warriors were shut out for a second-consecutive game for the first time this season and fifth time all year.
Wheaton Academy (11-6-2) had stretches of strong possession, but the Warriors never quite got the last connection necessary for a goal. Coach Jeff Brooke’s crew will serve as a Class AA regional host and the home field advantage could come help overcome a number of injuries.
“Prior to that second goal, I thought since the first one we calmed down and kept the ball moving well, ” Brooke said. “I was proud of how we kept battling and often had good possessions. When we lost our center back, they were able to capitalize for another one. After the second goal, they took over, and we did too much chasing.”
For Geneva it was the eighth time Montgomery and the Vikings defense earned a clean-sheet and was an encore to keeping rival and 22nd-ranked St. Charles East out of the net in a 0-0 draw that was part of the annual Tri-City Night twinbill.
“It feels really good to win the last regular season home game, and it felt like everyone had come together for each other,” Konicek said. “Tonight meant a lot for the seniors, but I also believe as a team we’ll be playing with more intensity every game.”
That sentiment was certainly echoed by Magpantay: “With all the seniors out there at one time, there was a different kind of intensity. I believe this will push us to train harder and keep this momentum going. This win and the senior night experience brought us together.”
That could be a danger sign for opponents -- in 2017 Geneva made a second-straight trip to the Sweet 16 while it posted the second-best record (21-2-1) in school history and the mark for fewest losses.
“From the start of the year to now, they’ve really gotten on the same page,” Geneva assistant coach Taylor Baker noted. “The connections are clear; they understand when and where to make a run and their teammates make the passes. And this is the perfect time of the year for it to come together.”
For Wheaton Academy there is no need for panic, just perhaps a few extra bags of ice and rest. As usual, the Warriors have played as many Class 3A programs as possible to be better prepared for their postseason.
“Simply put we want to stretch ourselves,” Brooke explained. “We put teams on the schedule that will help prepare us for our postseason.”
If there could possibly be one person with an understandable objection it might be the Warriors’ goalie, but Oster isn’t that type. Wheaton Academy once again generally steamrolled its way to an unbeaten Metro Suburban Conference Blue Division title. Against league opposition, the Warriors outscored their foes 26-4. Toss in three crossover matches against the other division and the gap becomes 39-8.
“Playing 3A teams is a challenge we like,” Oster said. “Me personally, I'd rather play 3A teams and lose a close one than blow out someone from AA. Challenging ourselves is the best way for us to get better.
“Even in a game like this one, if somebody gets hurt we pick up our energy and try to do our best for them knowing they’d want to be out there. We’ve got about five people hurt or limited, so it’s important we encourage each other,” Oster added. “No matter what happens, we don’t blame anyone. We simply try to boost each other. Our biggest strength is our unity.”
Wheaton Academy is the top seed within the 17-school Fenwick Sectional structure so there is a target on the Warriors' back. However Brooke and his squad are the ones responsible for it being there.
Wheaton Academy will open state tournament play at 5 p.m.May 16 against the winner of the quarterfinal match between no. 16-seed Chicago Christian and 17th-seeded Westinghouse.
Starting lineups
Wheaton Academy
GK: Marta Oster
D: Maggie Bailey
D: Emma Goebel
D: Lizzy Swoboda
D: Danielle Bessey
M: Amy Alexander
M: Sophie Lindquist
M: Anne Camille Hardy
M: Erin Teevans
F: Rebecca Steininger
F: Morgan Finnegan
Geneva
GK: Katie Montgomery
D: Jaden Ciesielski
D: Amanda Rose
D: Annaliese Kristina Lockner
D: Isabella Magpantay
M: Kelly Konicek
M: Lauren Albrecht
M: Olivia Tegge
M: Mackenzie Bennett
F: Jenna Dominguez
F: Gillian Moncrieff
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Lauren Albrecht, sr., M, Geneva
Referees: Dylan Kramer, Mike Lichtfuss, Sam Huzar
Game summary
Geneva 2, Wheaton Academy 0
Wheaton Academy 0 0 --- 0 (11-6-2)
Geneva 1 1 --- 2 (11-6-4)
Scoring
First half
G ---Howe 19-yard blast from middle inside left side (Gratz assist), 32:06 gone
Second half
G --- Geen loose ball follow-up from 11 yards (unassisted), 63:41 gone
Shots
WA 6 – 4 --- 10
G 9 – 9 --- 18
Shots on goal
WA 4 – 1 --- 5
G 7 – 5 --- 12
Saves (goalie)
WA (Oster) 6 -- 4 --- 10
G (Montgomery) 4 – 1 --- 5
Corner kicks
WA 1 – 0 --- 2
G 2 – 2 --- 4
Offsides
WA 0 – 0 --- 0
G 0 – 0 --- 0