STC boys lacrosse hopes to build on memorable '07 year
As the St. Charles boys lacrosse season gets started, the team can look back on a season to remember in 2007.
The team featured 11 all-conference players, 2 all-state players, and its first All-American and Academic All-American.
As a team St. Charles ended its season with a 16-2 in-state record, won its first playoff game in its 14-year history and made it to the state semifinals.
Looking ahead to the 2008 team, all 3 starting attackmen and the starting face-off midfielder have graduated. These four players were the leading goal scorers from last season.
At the midfield position, senior Cam Caruso and sophomore Ben Dvorak will be two very solid offensive threats that will look to do a lot of the midfielder scoring this season.
Senior Sean Brogan, who has already committed to Mt. St. Mary's to play D-I lacrosse, has been moved down to the attack position to become the finisher from the left side.
Five other attackmen are competing for 2 other starting spots on the field.
The defense and goalie will be the strength of the team this season. The defense brings back the most experience and toughness on the team.
The two defenders to watch this season will be seniors Madden Titus and Tyler Hines. Both of these players are playing Division III lacrosse in college next year. Titus and Hines were both starters last year and work very well together on the field.
Sophomore Pat Killeen is expected to be a very strong defender this year at the long stick midfield and/or as a defender. Junior Sean McGushin, a first team all-conference selection last year, is coming back for a third year as the goalie for the varsity team.
Baseball
Geneva 4, Kaneland 3: The Vikings remained unbeaten in five games on the season. They lead 4-1 going to the seventh and the Knights scored twice, but they could not plate the tying run. Cory Hofstetter had a double and 2 RBI for Geneva as did Jody Henningson for Kaneland.
West Aurora 3, Bolingbrook 1:ŒWill Fuentes pitched the distance for the Blackhawks (5-2), allowing just 3 hits and 1 run. He also batted 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI. Leadoff hitter Brady Renner had 1 hit and stole 2 bases.
Boys tennis
St. Charles East 7, East Aurora 0: Paul Reiff shut out his opponent in first singles as the Saints picked up their first win of the season. Ryan McNally won second singles 6-1, 6-0.
Softball
St. Charles East 9, Streamwood 0: Victoria Perez hit her fourth homer of the season for the Saints (4-3, 3-0). Gabby Moe limited the Sabres to 2 hits over seven innings.
Kaneland 6, York 2: Jess Lubic batted 2-for-3 with a triple and Mallory Huml improved to 3-0 on the mound for Kaneland.
Girls soccer
West Aurora 5, East Aurora 1:ŒThe Blackhawks scored four goals in the second half to defeat the Tomcats. Raquel Rodriguez tallied twice and Ashley Malmgren had a goal and an assist.
Men's baseball
Waubonsee 14, Sauk Valley 6:ŒThe Chiefs (7-14) fell behind 5-1 after two innings. They eventually took a 7-5 lead before scoring seven runs in the bottom of the eighth.
Ryan Wagner (Marmion) won his first college game, pitching eight innings and striking out six. Ryne Rende went 3-for-4 with a double and scored twice while Dan Wickers and Damon Jenkins each drove home three runs.
Women's softball
Waubonsee 1-8, Elgin 0-2: The Chiefs (7-7) scored the only run of Game 1 in the fourth innings. Jamie Swenson had 2 hits and stole a pair of bases. Cheryl Smick fanned 12 and allowed three Elgin hits for the win.
The second game was stopped after six innings due to rain. Swenson swiped two more bases, giving her 26 in 14 games this season. Winning pitcher Cheryl Smick struck out six, and on offense, she had 3 RBI and stole 4 bases.
Benedictine 8, Maranatha Baptist 0: Brittany Carnell (Kaneland) pitched her first collegiate no-hitter as the Eagles improved to 12-5. She walked two and struck out four over six innings.