Girls soccer: Geneva blanks hosts to take St. Charles E. title

Geneva's girls soccer team capped a superb week with perhaps its most impressive victory of the season Saturday afternoon.

The Vikings improved to 8-0 with a 4-0 triumph over host St. Charles East (4-1-3) in the final round of the Rose Augsburg-Drach Tournament held at Norris Stadium.

With the win, Geneva captured the tourney title after outscoring Naperville Central, Schaumburg and St. Charles by a 9-1 margin.

"This was a goal they had set for themselves," said Vikings coach Megan Owens. "This is only the second time that we've won it (title) in the history of the tournament. This year's senior group won it as freshmen."

Geneva didn't just win Saturday - it dominated the Saints on their home field.

Despite facing a stiff south wind, the Vikings seized control early on 3 first-half goals from sophomore forwards Jenna Dominguez and Stephanie Howe sandwiched between a 25-yard right-footed blast from senior Emily Hauser.

"We set ourselves up perfectly for this game," said Hauser. "We knew (St. Charles) East was going to be our hardest game because they're our rivals. We were against the wind so we tried to match their intensity and it worked out well for us."

"We're just playing really well right now," said Owens. "We had a nice, solid game. I've got a very talented group this year."

Led by Jaden Ciesielski, Lauren Albrecht, Mackenzie Bennett, Maddy Rapach-Lagowski, and goalkeepers Emma Harkleroad and Katie Montgomery, the Vikings' defense also turned in a strong performance.

"Our offense was creating a lot of opportunities and we were playing very solid defensively," said Owens.

Harkleroad recorded 9 saves, the best of which was her stop of a penalty kick by the Saints' Chantel Carranza with 30 minutes left in the second half.

"Emma did an awesome job for us in set stopping that penalty shot," said Owens, "and Katie came in and did the same."

Sophomore midfielder Sydney Gratz capped the scoring with her early second-half goal.

"No excuses from us - Geneva was first class today," said Saints coach Paul Jennison. "I think we're good. I just think today they were far better. We had the wind in the first half and they still put three (goals) in on us.

"You can't do that against a team of their quality. This is the best soccer team that they've had in many years. I think they'll be around at the end of the season."

Despite 6 corner kicks and 12 shots on goal, the Saints' offense came up empty.

"They were the best team on the field," said Jennison, whose team faces Larkin Tuesday.

"Any time you get a game taken to you like that, you're going to be feeling a bit down but honestly, I only see this as a positive. Any time you get broken down, you get the chance to build back up. I think these girls are going to come back stronger."

Geneva returns home Tuesday to face Bartlett.

"I'm tremendously proud of them," said Owens. "There's four quality teams here."