Preview story: Tri-Cities Night
By Steve Nemeth
Tri-City Night is simply a special night for many reasons.
First and foremost: it always features some of the state’s best players in showdowns that are long-running rivalries.
Second: Monday night’s matches at St. Charles East’s Norris Stadium -- St. Charles North vs. Geneva, 5 p.m. and St. Charles East vs. Batavia, 7 p.m. -- are pivotal in determining the inaugural DuKane Conference girls soccer championship.
Third: All four teams can be found in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25: no. 2 St. Charles North; no. 6 St. Charles East; no. 7 Batavia; and no. 18 Geneva.
Fourth: It’s “The Fight for the Fox,” ownership of a traveling trophy and bragging rights for at least a year.
Fifth: The charity component is always an important feature of the event. The current fund-raising effort will aid Batavia High School sophomore football player Jacob Galas.
The history
As Fox River-border communities, Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles have long been among the most tradition-rich in IHSA soccer. Beginning in the fall of 2009, the boys competition between Geneva, Batavia, plus St. Charles East and North, began using a statue of a Fox which the school with the best record decorates with its school colors. On the girls soccer side, the same concept was begun in the spring of 2015.
While the four schools alternately serve as host for the double-header, the occasion became an ideal time to incorporate a charitable cause. For girls soccer, the same format has been followed since the spring of 2015.
The cause
A member of the Bulldog football program, Galas was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma in late December and is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation through July. Each of the schools is selling Tri-City Night 2019 T-shirts ($15) to be worn for the evening “as a reminder that, although we play against each other on the field, we are united together in a special cause that is bigger than the game of soccer.” In addition, there will be a 50/50 raffle, and donations are accepted.
Last fall, funds were raised for the Jennison Family to help former East boys and girls coach Paul Jennison, whose infant daughter required heart surgery.
In the spring of 2018, proceeds went o Saints cheerleading coach / teacher Tawney Powers, for her fight with breast cancer. In the fall of 2018, assistance was used for North coach Chuck Riley’s daughter Carrie Black and her battle with ovarian cancer.
Other recipients included: North Stars alumnae Bethany (Conrad) Hart; North’s Moorea Desrouche; Geneva second-grader Mason Ward; the wife of longtime referee Keith Angel; Geneva baseball coach Matt Hahn’s son Drew; former Viking Jimmy Klatter; Batavia JV coach Chris Payton’s son Owen.
The DKC race
It all will be decided between Monday and Thursday. Going into the Tri-Cities Night nightcap, Batavia (14-3-2, DKC 5-0-0) sat atop the standings with 15 points. The Bulldogs nipped St. Charles North 2-1, and not only knocked the North Stars from the top perch of the Top 25 but gave them their first regular-season loss since 2016. On Thursday Batavia finishes its league schedule at Wheaton North.
The North Stars (14-1-1, 4-1-0) face Geneva in the Tri-City Night opener pinning their hopes on gaining six more points by defeating the Vikings and Wheaton Warrenville South (2-3-0) in their home finale Thursday.
The chances may be slim, but mathematically Geneva (9-4-2, 3-2-0) could still possibly gain a share of the crown. That would require victories over North and in Thursday’s home date with Glenbard North combined with Batavia, North, and East all suffering two defeats.
St. Charles East (16-5-0, 3-1-0) has the most matches remaining and potentially nine more points with which to vault to the top. The Saints need to tag Batavia with a loss and root for ties or losses by the Bulldogs and North Stars to rise to first place. After battling the Bulldogs, East has to turn around for a Tuesday home date with Glenbard North (0-5-0) before a Thursday home finale versus Lake Park (1-4-0).
Match previews
Monday’s first match-up at 5 p.m. features North and Geneva, however, even the seniors may find it difficult to draw motivation from the past. Back in 2016, the North Stars won 2-1, 2017 was a 0-0 draw, and last year was a rain-saturated evening that may still conjure up shivers. The 7-5 North victory didn’t include any overtime or a shootout.
Hard to believe that the Vikings scored five goals and didn't win despite the fact North had allowed only three goals in its previous five matches. The 36-degree temperature at kickoff didn’t include a wind chill factor and the steady drizzle didn’t turn to snow flakes until after the match.
Stephanie Howe had a hat trick, including two goals in less than two minutes, but host North maintained its two-goal advantage following a 5-3 first half.
Geneva is unbeaten (3-0-1) in its last four outings. Senior Caitlin Farrell has played a notable role in those matches with four goals and two assists in that span. That’s made the Loras signee (11 goals, three game-winners, two assists, 24 points) a major threat behind Chicagoland Soccer 2018 All-State pick Dominguez. The St. Cloud State signee has her own impressive numbers (14g, 4gw, 5a, 33 pts).
“To compete (against SCN), we need to stay focused, maintain our composure, and have positive leadership on the field. They are one of the top programs in the state and, no matter who they graduate, they always compete at a very high level,” Geneva coach Megan Owens said. “I believe our record shows we can hang with any team.
“This is the first time we play them on Tri-Cities Night, which adds an extra layer of passion and intensity to the games. All four schools have tremendous programs with long histories of success.
“While we expect a great night of soccer, I hope we can help Jacob Galas and his family as he continues his battle.
That’s what is most important. High school sports are an amazing thing to be a part of, as a fan, player or coach. Rivalry games create some of the best memories. However, one of the absolute best things is being able to use high school sports as a platform to help others in the community.”
Owens’ reference was to St. Charles North's graduation losses referenced the state’s best one-two scoring punch in 2018 in Gia Wahlberg and Hailey Rydberg, who both continue to play in the Big Ten. The North Stars were unbeaten last year until a Supersectional defeat courtesy of two-time defending state champ Barrington.
Despite the assumption there would be a drop-off, North went from a season-opening 2-2 draw with Neuqua Valley to winning 14 straight until the Batavia surprise. That run included taking first in the 30th St. Charles Augsburg-Drach Invitational and becoming co-champion of the prestigious Naperville Invitational.
As anticipated, Hailey's junior sister Sam Rydberg (10g, 5gw, 3a, 23 pts.), and Gia's senior sister CeCe Wahlberg (8g, 2gw, 6a, 22 pts.) have stepped up their games as has junior Sarah Andrey (9g, 2gw, 4a, 22 pts.).
“Geneva is a well-rounded and talented team, Anytime you have a Tri-City match-up you know it is going to be a fight,” North coach Brian Harks said. “I believe we had a lot of positives come from last week’s loss to Batavia. We have a chance to refocus and our goal against Geneva will be to get back to playing our style of soccer.”
Both sides have seasoned starters in goal between Geneva junior Katie Montgomery and North senior Sara Maleski.
After a second loss this season to rival North, St. Charles East coach Vince DiNuzzo and company acknowledged “the elephant in the room” -- the fact the Saints hadn’t beaten their cross-town foe since 2014.
But Batavia has been a stumbling point for the Saints veterans. The Bulldogs won 2-0 in 2018 and the two previous years were deadlocks (0-0 and 1-1). Granted, last year’s setback was an away game, but this year Batavia features an even more balanced attack, something not lost on DiNuzzo.
“Batavia has a very high work rate and will be tough to break down. They have a lot of talent, and we are looking forward to the challenge,” DiNuzzo said. “In order for us to be successful on Monday, we will have to play a full 80 minutes. We need to take advantage of any opportunities we are able to create.”
Of course, Batavia boss Mark Gianfrancesco is equally leery and never gives any credence to what happened in prior seasons.
“That was then, this is now. (East) is very physical and score timely goals. Their attacking group up-top has been a strength of theirs all season long.”
Clearly Gianfrancesco is aware of the firepower Michigan transfer Elle McCaslin (22g, 6gw, 10a, 54 pts.) has brought to East to support solid veterans Hannah Miller (14g, 4gw, 11a, 39 pts.) and Kayla Villa (6g, 1gw, 8a, 20 pts.). He’s also familiar with 2018 Chicagoland Soccer All-State pick Alondra Carranza, who chalked up game-
winning goals in the Saints’ last two matches when the junior is not helping the defense combine with keeper Grace Griffin (six solo shutouts and one shared clean-sheet).
The pragmatic side of Gianfrancesco was evident in his preseason comment: “We are returning 11 players. Where it always looks good on paper, we will need to work hard to compete in every match. The newcomers need to give us quality competition in training to raise our level of play and give us much needed depth.”
All of which has occurred. After a modest 2-1-1 start to the season, Batavia has gone 12-2-1 in its last 15 outings. Ten players own goals and seven of them boast game-winners, including the duo who were behind last year’s 2-0 victory over the Saints.
Anna Holcombe (9g, 2gw, 10a, 28 pts.) and Grace Salyers (8g, 3gw, 4a, 20 pts.) are definitely top talents. However, opponents should not overlook the next four contributors: Zaira Solis (5g, 3gw, 5a, 15 pts.), Chloe Valentino (6g, 2gw, 12 pts.), Abby Zipse (4g, 2gw, 8pts.) or Bella Zink (2g, 1gw, 4a, 8 pts.).
Perhaps unorthodox to soccer traditionalists, Gianfrancesco has confidently relied on two keepers splitting time all season long. Junior Hailey Flannagan and freshman Aubrey Hahn have combined for an eyebrow-raising 10 clean sheets.
“For us to be successful, we need to continue striving to improve our game and play a full 80 minutes,” Gianfrancesco maintains. “We have done a nice job of saying on the task at hand while other things are going on within a game.”
By Steve Nemeth
Tri-City Night is simply a special night for many reasons.
First and foremost: it always features some of the state’s best players in showdowns that are long-running rivalries.
Second: Monday night’s matches at St. Charles East’s Norris Stadium -- St. Charles North vs. Geneva, 5 p.m. and St. Charles East vs. Batavia, 7 p.m. -- are pivotal in determining the inaugural DuKane Conference girls soccer championship.
Third: All four teams can be found in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25: no. 2 St. Charles North; no. 6 St. Charles East; no. 7 Batavia; and no. 18 Geneva.
Fourth: It’s “The Fight for the Fox,” ownership of a traveling trophy and bragging rights for at least a year.
Fifth: The charity component is always an important feature of the event. The current fund-raising effort will aid Batavia High School sophomore football player Jacob Galas.
The history
As Fox River-border communities, Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles have long been among the most tradition-rich in IHSA soccer. Beginning in the fall of 2009, the boys competition between Geneva, Batavia, plus St. Charles East and North, began using a statue of a Fox which the school with the best record decorates with its school colors. On the girls soccer side, the same concept was begun in the spring of 2015.
While the four schools alternately serve as host for the double-header, the occasion became an ideal time to incorporate a charitable cause. For girls soccer, the same format has been followed since the spring of 2015.
The cause
A member of the Bulldog football program, Galas was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma in late December and is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation through July. Each of the schools is selling Tri-City Night 2019 T-shirts ($15) to be worn for the evening “as a reminder that, although we play against each other on the field, we are united together in a special cause that is bigger than the game of soccer.” In addition, there will be a 50/50 raffle, and donations are accepted.
Last fall, funds were raised for the Jennison Family to help former East boys and girls coach Paul Jennison, whose infant daughter required heart surgery.
In the spring of 2018, proceeds went o Saints cheerleading coach / teacher Tawney Powers, for her fight with breast cancer. In the fall of 2018, assistance was used for North coach Chuck Riley’s daughter Carrie Black and her battle with ovarian cancer.
Other recipients included: North Stars alumnae Bethany (Conrad) Hart; North’s Moorea Desrouche; Geneva second-grader Mason Ward; the wife of longtime referee Keith Angel; Geneva baseball coach Matt Hahn’s son Drew; former Viking Jimmy Klatter; Batavia JV coach Chris Payton’s son Owen.
The DKC race
It all will be decided between Monday and Thursday. Going into the Tri-Cities Night nightcap, Batavia (14-3-2, DKC 5-0-0) sat atop the standings with 15 points. The Bulldogs nipped St. Charles North 2-1, and not only knocked the North Stars from the top perch of the Top 25 but gave them their first regular-season loss since 2016. On Thursday Batavia finishes its league schedule at Wheaton North.
The North Stars (14-1-1, 4-1-0) face Geneva in the Tri-City Night opener pinning their hopes on gaining six more points by defeating the Vikings and Wheaton Warrenville South (2-3-0) in their home finale Thursday.
The chances may be slim, but mathematically Geneva (9-4-2, 3-2-0) could still possibly gain a share of the crown. That would require victories over North and in Thursday’s home date with Glenbard North combined with Batavia, North, and East all suffering two defeats.
St. Charles East (16-5-0, 3-1-0) has the most matches remaining and potentially nine more points with which to vault to the top. The Saints need to tag Batavia with a loss and root for ties or losses by the Bulldogs and North Stars to rise to first place. After battling the Bulldogs, East has to turn around for a Tuesday home date with Glenbard North (0-5-0) before a Thursday home finale versus Lake Park (1-4-0).
Match previews
Monday’s first match-up at 5 p.m. features North and Geneva, however, even the seniors may find it difficult to draw motivation from the past. Back in 2016, the North Stars won 2-1, 2017 was a 0-0 draw, and last year was a rain-saturated evening that may still conjure up shivers. The 7-5 North victory didn’t include any overtime or a shootout.
Hard to believe that the Vikings scored five goals and didn't win despite the fact North had allowed only three goals in its previous five matches. The 36-degree temperature at kickoff didn’t include a wind chill factor and the steady drizzle didn’t turn to snow flakes until after the match.
Stephanie Howe had a hat trick, including two goals in less than two minutes, but host North maintained its two-goal advantage following a 5-3 first half.
Geneva is unbeaten (3-0-1) in its last four outings. Senior Caitlin Farrell has played a notable role in those matches with four goals and two assists in that span. That’s made the Loras signee (11 goals, three game-winners, two assists, 24 points) a major threat behind Chicagoland Soccer 2018 All-State pick Dominguez. The St. Cloud State signee has her own impressive numbers (14g, 4gw, 5a, 33 pts).
“To compete (against SCN), we need to stay focused, maintain our composure, and have positive leadership on the field. They are one of the top programs in the state and, no matter who they graduate, they always compete at a very high level,” Geneva coach Megan Owens said. “I believe our record shows we can hang with any team.
“This is the first time we play them on Tri-Cities Night, which adds an extra layer of passion and intensity to the games. All four schools have tremendous programs with long histories of success.
“While we expect a great night of soccer, I hope we can help Jacob Galas and his family as he continues his battle.
That’s what is most important. High school sports are an amazing thing to be a part of, as a fan, player or coach. Rivalry games create some of the best memories. However, one of the absolute best things is being able to use high school sports as a platform to help others in the community.”
Owens’ reference was to St. Charles North's graduation losses referenced the state’s best one-two scoring punch in 2018 in Gia Wahlberg and Hailey Rydberg, who both continue to play in the Big Ten. The North Stars were unbeaten last year until a Supersectional defeat courtesy of two-time defending state champ Barrington.
Despite the assumption there would be a drop-off, North went from a season-opening 2-2 draw with Neuqua Valley to winning 14 straight until the Batavia surprise. That run included taking first in the 30th St. Charles Augsburg-Drach Invitational and becoming co-champion of the prestigious Naperville Invitational.
As anticipated, Hailey's junior sister Sam Rydberg (10g, 5gw, 3a, 23 pts.), and Gia's senior sister CeCe Wahlberg (8g, 2gw, 6a, 22 pts.) have stepped up their games as has junior Sarah Andrey (9g, 2gw, 4a, 22 pts.).
“Geneva is a well-rounded and talented team, Anytime you have a Tri-City match-up you know it is going to be a fight,” North coach Brian Harks said. “I believe we had a lot of positives come from last week’s loss to Batavia. We have a chance to refocus and our goal against Geneva will be to get back to playing our style of soccer.”
Both sides have seasoned starters in goal between Geneva junior Katie Montgomery and North senior Sara Maleski.
After a second loss this season to rival North, St. Charles East coach Vince DiNuzzo and company acknowledged “the elephant in the room” -- the fact the Saints hadn’t beaten their cross-town foe since 2014.
But Batavia has been a stumbling point for the Saints veterans. The Bulldogs won 2-0 in 2018 and the two previous years were deadlocks (0-0 and 1-1). Granted, last year’s setback was an away game, but this year Batavia features an even more balanced attack, something not lost on DiNuzzo.
“Batavia has a very high work rate and will be tough to break down. They have a lot of talent, and we are looking forward to the challenge,” DiNuzzo said. “In order for us to be successful on Monday, we will have to play a full 80 minutes. We need to take advantage of any opportunities we are able to create.”
Of course, Batavia boss Mark Gianfrancesco is equally leery and never gives any credence to what happened in prior seasons.
“That was then, this is now. (East) is very physical and score timely goals. Their attacking group up-top has been a strength of theirs all season long.”
Clearly Gianfrancesco is aware of the firepower Michigan transfer Elle McCaslin (22g, 6gw, 10a, 54 pts.) has brought to East to support solid veterans Hannah Miller (14g, 4gw, 11a, 39 pts.) and Kayla Villa (6g, 1gw, 8a, 20 pts.). He’s also familiar with 2018 Chicagoland Soccer All-State pick Alondra Carranza, who chalked up game-
winning goals in the Saints’ last two matches when the junior is not helping the defense combine with keeper Grace Griffin (six solo shutouts and one shared clean-sheet).
The pragmatic side of Gianfrancesco was evident in his preseason comment: “We are returning 11 players. Where it always looks good on paper, we will need to work hard to compete in every match. The newcomers need to give us quality competition in training to raise our level of play and give us much needed depth.”
All of which has occurred. After a modest 2-1-1 start to the season, Batavia has gone 12-2-1 in its last 15 outings. Ten players own goals and seven of them boast game-winners, including the duo who were behind last year’s 2-0 victory over the Saints.
Anna Holcombe (9g, 2gw, 10a, 28 pts.) and Grace Salyers (8g, 3gw, 4a, 20 pts.) are definitely top talents. However, opponents should not overlook the next four contributors: Zaira Solis (5g, 3gw, 5a, 15 pts.), Chloe Valentino (6g, 2gw, 12 pts.), Abby Zipse (4g, 2gw, 8pts.) or Bella Zink (2g, 1gw, 4a, 8 pts.).
Perhaps unorthodox to soccer traditionalists, Gianfrancesco has confidently relied on two keepers splitting time all season long. Junior Hailey Flannagan and freshman Aubrey Hahn have combined for an eyebrow-raising 10 clean sheets.
“For us to be successful, we need to continue striving to improve our game and play a full 80 minutes,” Gianfrancesco maintains. “We have done a nice job of saying on the task at hand while other things are going on within a game.”