Geneva breezes to win at Rosary
Vikings show potential against Class 2A foe
By Steve Nemeth
AURORA – For a maiden voyage, Geneva’s offense resembled a ship skimming across the pitch with full-blown sails.
The Vikings scored two goals in the opening 10 minutes and it was smooth sailing the rest of the way to a season-opening 9-0 triumph over Rosary.
Much more to skipper Megan Owens’ liking, it was basically all hands on deck both offensively and defensively as the Vikings shuttled players in and out of the line-up without missing a beat.
“No question it was a strong start for us and what can only be labeled as a total team effort,” Owens said. “We had so many different players involved in scoring and everyone on defense worked to limit their (Rosary’s) chances.”
It took just 7:11 before Geneva (1-0-0) got on the scoreboard as Olivia Tegge’s pass found Jenna Dominguez in position to put an 11-yarder into the back of the net from the left side. Two-and-a-half minutes later, Allie Mikos earned an assist for Dominguez’s second goal.
“In both cases I saw where the keeper was and figured just go for the open side,” Dominguez explained. “Being our first game I was a little nervous at the start, but then it was all about moving into position, and timing the run off the ball. In the past I’ve generally played inside, but coach wanted me playing out wide. Two goals for a first match is pretty good, so I think now I like playing out wide.”
If Rosary had been a little more fortunate with its first attempt, perhaps the Royals (0-1-0) could have knocked some of the wind out of the Vikings’ sails.
Unfortunately for the hosts, Ella Wagoner’s shot from the right wing missed the upper left corner with 24:53 left in the first half.
Instead the Vikings claimed a 3-0 advantage when Lauren Albrecht earned her third-career goal off a Kyleigh Dominguez set-up. That came with 20:30 still to be played before halftime.
Having displayed savvy ball control in midfield while orchestrating Geneva’s offense, Tegge continued pressing the attack looking for open teammates before attempting her own shot. It caromed off a defender right back to her. The sophomore one-timed the ball under Rosary’s new goalie Julia Isaacs.
“It was probably more luck than anything since the keeper misjudged the ball,” Tegge noted. “I was really looking for an open teammate and the further in I got, I just didn’t want to force a pass. As my first varsity goal, it still feels good and I’ll take it.”
Geneva was clearly in control of the midfield throughout the first half and Tegge’s consistency, hustle and opening assist -- combined with the goal that resembled a dagger to Rosary’s hopes -- earned her Chicagoland Soccer’s MVP of the Match recognition.
“That’s an honor I have to share with everyone because I believe our offense as a unit did really well,” Tegge said. “Coach talks about the importance of controlling midfield in order to control the game, and that’s really what we did today.”
“Olivia was definitely making plays all over the midfield,” Owens said. “She continually looked for teammates and helped us get our offense rolling.”
Rosary’s frustration over falling behind by four goals was evident just 25 seconds later when Maddy Rapach-Lagowski gambled on a 20-yarder that sailed just under the crossbar as the Royals were caught flat-footed. Isaacs made a solid save on a Grace Stellick try while Katelyn Keenehan had a shot hit the top of the crossbar.
The second half was just 10 minutes old when Geneva senior defender Briar Schwardt blasted a 31-yard free kick that Isaac blocked to her right only to have Molly McGavin park the rebound into the back of the net.
There was 18:21 left in regulation when Albrecht lofted a free kick from the right wing which Keenehan headed sharply inside the right post for a 7-0 advantage that reduced the time remaining to 9:11.
Having given orders for the Vikings to connect multiple passes and only attempt shots from distance, the third time proved to be the charm for Mikos. Having had a pair of tries soar over the goal, the senior forward connected on a 26-yard cannon shot.
“Coach has been pressuring me in practice to shoot, so I thought I’d take a few chances. I was pleasantly surprised by that last one. Starting my senior year with a goal feels great,” Mikos said. “But I also believe today is indicative of what we’re capable of. Last year (when Geneva struggled to an 8-11-4 finish) things didn’t always click.
“This game is more indicative of what’s to come, and we’re determined to have a much better showing. We may be a fairly young team, but I believe we can be more of a force by postseason.”
Kyleigh Dominguez scored the final goal of the game.
Last season the Vikings failed to win a regional plaque for the first time in four years, but twice recently Geneva has competed for Class 3A sectional championships.
The shutout for goalie Emma Harkleroad is a positive start for a Geneva program that had seven clean sheets last year split among four keepers. Harkleroad had one solo and one shared shutout before being sidelined. As one of three goalies in 2013, Harkleroad had 2.5 as a freshman.
As for Rosary, the “new” tagline applies and the course of the season will determine if the “and improved” can be added. The 2016 campaign marks the third time an assistant coach has been elevated to the top of the program with Janice Eddington taking over after two years working with Brian Franks. When Kevin Callaghan completed a decade-long tenure following the 2011 season, Kristy Kane was promoted to head coach. Following two years assisting Kane, Franks was elevated to head coach.
The Royals (8-8-1 in 2015) missed capturing an eighth-straight regional plaque last year, but Eddington hopes to have Rosary regain its perennial status as a Class 2A sectional participant.
“Not only do we have a limited roster learning a new formation, even our returnees are trying to master new positions or new roles,” Eddington explained. “There may be some growing pains, but I was really encouraged by our second half play. We maintained possession much better and showed some of the communication we’d been working on. Obviously you have to credit Geneva for their skill and experience, but we’ve always challenged programs a level up to improve ourselves.
“I thought Ella (Wagoner) worked extremely hard on offense as well as getting back to help the defense. Despite what was on the scoreboard, our intensity grew as the match progressed and we fought to the end,” Eddington added. “I thought our backline, Caroline (Maley), Sarah (Woodford), Katherine (Thielen) and Sonja (Popovich), battled throughout the match.”
Rosary steps up a class again on Monday for a visit to Glenbard North while Geneva has an Upstate Eight cross-over date on Saturday at West Aurora.
Staring line-ups
Geneva
GK: Emma Harkleroad
D: Maddie Parise
D: Briar Schwardt
D: Leah Groven
D: Emily Hauser
MF: Maddy Rapach-Lagowski
MF: Laure Albrecht
MF: Sydney Gratz
MF: Olivia Tegge
F: Jenna Dominguez
F: Allie Mikos
Rosary
GK: Julia Isaacs
D: Sarah Woodford
D: Katherine Thielen
D: Caroline Maley
D: Sonja Popovich
MF: Maysara Mitchell
MF: Grace Goheen
MF: Elizabeth Kvitek
F: Erin Hawkins
F: Ella Wagoner
F: Madeline Powers
MVP of the Match: Olivia Tegge, MF, Geneva
Referees: Rick Naatz, Ray Nelson, Manou Chahmirzadi
Vikings show potential against Class 2A foe
By Steve Nemeth
AURORA – For a maiden voyage, Geneva’s offense resembled a ship skimming across the pitch with full-blown sails.
The Vikings scored two goals in the opening 10 minutes and it was smooth sailing the rest of the way to a season-opening 9-0 triumph over Rosary.
Much more to skipper Megan Owens’ liking, it was basically all hands on deck both offensively and defensively as the Vikings shuttled players in and out of the line-up without missing a beat.
“No question it was a strong start for us and what can only be labeled as a total team effort,” Owens said. “We had so many different players involved in scoring and everyone on defense worked to limit their (Rosary’s) chances.”
It took just 7:11 before Geneva (1-0-0) got on the scoreboard as Olivia Tegge’s pass found Jenna Dominguez in position to put an 11-yarder into the back of the net from the left side. Two-and-a-half minutes later, Allie Mikos earned an assist for Dominguez’s second goal.
“In both cases I saw where the keeper was and figured just go for the open side,” Dominguez explained. “Being our first game I was a little nervous at the start, but then it was all about moving into position, and timing the run off the ball. In the past I’ve generally played inside, but coach wanted me playing out wide. Two goals for a first match is pretty good, so I think now I like playing out wide.”
If Rosary had been a little more fortunate with its first attempt, perhaps the Royals (0-1-0) could have knocked some of the wind out of the Vikings’ sails.
Unfortunately for the hosts, Ella Wagoner’s shot from the right wing missed the upper left corner with 24:53 left in the first half.
Instead the Vikings claimed a 3-0 advantage when Lauren Albrecht earned her third-career goal off a Kyleigh Dominguez set-up. That came with 20:30 still to be played before halftime.
Having displayed savvy ball control in midfield while orchestrating Geneva’s offense, Tegge continued pressing the attack looking for open teammates before attempting her own shot. It caromed off a defender right back to her. The sophomore one-timed the ball under Rosary’s new goalie Julia Isaacs.
“It was probably more luck than anything since the keeper misjudged the ball,” Tegge noted. “I was really looking for an open teammate and the further in I got, I just didn’t want to force a pass. As my first varsity goal, it still feels good and I’ll take it.”
Geneva was clearly in control of the midfield throughout the first half and Tegge’s consistency, hustle and opening assist -- combined with the goal that resembled a dagger to Rosary’s hopes -- earned her Chicagoland Soccer’s MVP of the Match recognition.
“That’s an honor I have to share with everyone because I believe our offense as a unit did really well,” Tegge said. “Coach talks about the importance of controlling midfield in order to control the game, and that’s really what we did today.”
“Olivia was definitely making plays all over the midfield,” Owens said. “She continually looked for teammates and helped us get our offense rolling.”
Rosary’s frustration over falling behind by four goals was evident just 25 seconds later when Maddy Rapach-Lagowski gambled on a 20-yarder that sailed just under the crossbar as the Royals were caught flat-footed. Isaacs made a solid save on a Grace Stellick try while Katelyn Keenehan had a shot hit the top of the crossbar.
The second half was just 10 minutes old when Geneva senior defender Briar Schwardt blasted a 31-yard free kick that Isaac blocked to her right only to have Molly McGavin park the rebound into the back of the net.
There was 18:21 left in regulation when Albrecht lofted a free kick from the right wing which Keenehan headed sharply inside the right post for a 7-0 advantage that reduced the time remaining to 9:11.
Having given orders for the Vikings to connect multiple passes and only attempt shots from distance, the third time proved to be the charm for Mikos. Having had a pair of tries soar over the goal, the senior forward connected on a 26-yard cannon shot.
“Coach has been pressuring me in practice to shoot, so I thought I’d take a few chances. I was pleasantly surprised by that last one. Starting my senior year with a goal feels great,” Mikos said. “But I also believe today is indicative of what we’re capable of. Last year (when Geneva struggled to an 8-11-4 finish) things didn’t always click.
“This game is more indicative of what’s to come, and we’re determined to have a much better showing. We may be a fairly young team, but I believe we can be more of a force by postseason.”
Kyleigh Dominguez scored the final goal of the game.
Last season the Vikings failed to win a regional plaque for the first time in four years, but twice recently Geneva has competed for Class 3A sectional championships.
The shutout for goalie Emma Harkleroad is a positive start for a Geneva program that had seven clean sheets last year split among four keepers. Harkleroad had one solo and one shared shutout before being sidelined. As one of three goalies in 2013, Harkleroad had 2.5 as a freshman.
As for Rosary, the “new” tagline applies and the course of the season will determine if the “and improved” can be added. The 2016 campaign marks the third time an assistant coach has been elevated to the top of the program with Janice Eddington taking over after two years working with Brian Franks. When Kevin Callaghan completed a decade-long tenure following the 2011 season, Kristy Kane was promoted to head coach. Following two years assisting Kane, Franks was elevated to head coach.
The Royals (8-8-1 in 2015) missed capturing an eighth-straight regional plaque last year, but Eddington hopes to have Rosary regain its perennial status as a Class 2A sectional participant.
“Not only do we have a limited roster learning a new formation, even our returnees are trying to master new positions or new roles,” Eddington explained. “There may be some growing pains, but I was really encouraged by our second half play. We maintained possession much better and showed some of the communication we’d been working on. Obviously you have to credit Geneva for their skill and experience, but we’ve always challenged programs a level up to improve ourselves.
“I thought Ella (Wagoner) worked extremely hard on offense as well as getting back to help the defense. Despite what was on the scoreboard, our intensity grew as the match progressed and we fought to the end,” Eddington added. “I thought our backline, Caroline (Maley), Sarah (Woodford), Katherine (Thielen) and Sonja (Popovich), battled throughout the match.”
Rosary steps up a class again on Monday for a visit to Glenbard North while Geneva has an Upstate Eight cross-over date on Saturday at West Aurora.
Staring line-ups
Geneva
GK: Emma Harkleroad
D: Maddie Parise
D: Briar Schwardt
D: Leah Groven
D: Emily Hauser
MF: Maddy Rapach-Lagowski
MF: Laure Albrecht
MF: Sydney Gratz
MF: Olivia Tegge
F: Jenna Dominguez
F: Allie Mikos
Rosary
GK: Julia Isaacs
D: Sarah Woodford
D: Katherine Thielen
D: Caroline Maley
D: Sonja Popovich
MF: Maysara Mitchell
MF: Grace Goheen
MF: Elizabeth Kvitek
F: Erin Hawkins
F: Ella Wagoner
F: Madeline Powers
MVP of the Match: Olivia Tegge, MF, Geneva
Referees: Rick Naatz, Ray Nelson, Manou Chahmirzadi
