Boys soccer notes: Defense keys Geneva’s fast start; Callipari prepares for final season at Wheaton Warrenville South
The sports world has been talking about the final second of a game all weekend.
Geneva (3-1) has an idea what it’s like to lose at the last second, so to speak, as its lone loss came in the 80th minute of a 1-0 decision against undefeated Oswego East (4-0-1) on the morning of Aug. 29.
While that’s the lone blemish thus far for the Vikings, it also accounted for half the goals they’ve allowed. While they surrendered one during a 2-1 win over Waubonsie Valley, they blanked Oswego, 2-0, and shut out Timothy Christian, 1-0.
“Defense has become an identity,” Geneva coach Blake Hughes said. “We have only allowed two goals and sophomore goalkeeper Kyle Kelly has actually not even conceded a goal in 234 minutes played.”
Hughes, who has coached at Aurora Christian, Timothy Christian and Lake Park, said the boys have earned their quick start.
“From summer camp and preseason testing — yo-yo’s, two-milers, sprints, five-10-fives and demanding training sessions — I have asked this group to trust the season-long process and work hard from day one,” Hughes said.
“It’s their resilience. After the heartbreaking late loss to Oswego East, the response wasn’t excuses. It was two straight road victories without conceding a goal. The clean sheet against highly touted Timothy Christian in front of several hundred on Friday night was a great test, experience and team-builder.”
Seniors Gabe Barwiolek and Finn Tomko are two veterans who are helping lead the way with Barwiolek having found the back of the net five times already and Tomko delivering as the team’s holding midfielder.
While their talent is key, Geneva’s early success has mostly been built around the underclassmen that have stepped up into roles within the starting lineup.
“We are learning to understand that this game is more than just what talent is placed on the field,” Hughes said. “We’re competing for one another, defending together and are/will be willing to suffer through difficult moments together.”
Callipari heads into final season
Guy Callipari is no new kid on the block. In fact, when he first started coaching the Tigers at Wheaton Warrenville South in the early 1990s, the New Kids on the Block were gracing the cover of Tiger Beat magazine.
“Endings are unique because you haven’t gone through them so you don’t know what to expect,” Callipari said. “I’m trying to prepare for the season like I have for any other year. Obviously, it’s in the back of the mind somewhere that this is your last chance with this team sort of thing.”
One thing is for certain — Callipari is thankful.
“I’m trying to address each coach I’ve played against by saying something profound and being thankful for them, and their time and their program and why they are on the schedule,” he said. “That’s about the only thing I’ve changed this year. I’m making sure the people who have made my experience the most positive, which manifested itself into longevity, know and it has been the relationships I’ve been able to create because of the game both internally and externally. That’s how I’ve addressed it in a positive way, and the other thing is reminding players it’s not about me, it’s about us and our seniors, and we have a large class.”
The Tigers have 15 seniors along with three senior managers on the varsity squad and a half dozen seniors on the JV team.
Hot, hot, hot Hampshire
Hampshire (6-0-1) is taking care of business on the pitch in convincing fashion, as the Whip-Purs remain undefeated and have outscored opponents, 20-3.
“The key start for us this year has been a lot of returning players for a second, third and even fourth season,” Hampshire coach Chayanne Martinez said. “We have been building over the years pieces and an identity of this team to a place where we have been able to work more intently this summer on what we need.”
Before blasting DeKalb, 7-0, on Saturday, Hampshire battled Wheaton Academy to a 2-2 tie.
"Coming away from the Wheaton game was one of showing that we have the mental grit to come back in games even when things are not going well in the first part of a game,” Martinez said. “It is more of a mental thing I think we have overcome in being strong together as a unit and keep pushing when odds are against us.”
Strikers Brian Vega and Kage Guge are leading the offense.
“We have our captains leading the team well, but also most of our players are returning players,” Martinez said. “They are all key factors as one unit on the defensive side and offensive side. “
The Whip-Purs are just four wins away from surpassing last year’s (9-6-3) win total.
Tournament of Champions tackled
Due to the weather, the championship Saturday at Naperville North’s 2026 Tournament of Champions was canceled.
“We tried to make the right decision based on wet bulb predictions,” Naperville North coach Jim Konrad said. “With 14 programs coming to Naperville we wanted to respect their travel plans. I am disappointed we didn’t get the games in and have the big celebration of high school soccer on Saturday but we will do it again next year.”
The lone game that was played transitioned into a nonconference match as Lyons beat West Chicago, 2-0.
A week that was filled with cancellations, postponements, reschedules and time changes certainly took its toll on teams throughout the state, including Naperville Central and Benet who haven’t played since Aug. 29.
The Redhawks will resume on Tuesday at Naperville North while Benet will host St. Ignatius.