Boys soccer notes: Waubonsie Valley fit to be tied with unusual start; Geneva makes Tri-Cities night especially meaningful
The number 13 may be considered unlucky, but coach Jose Garcia’s 13th as head coach at Waubonsie Valley hasn’t brought the Warriors bad luck, it has just produced an odd number of ties.
Waubonsie Valley (4-4-6) has broken postgame huddles a half dozen times already after deadlocks. The Warriors have tied Lockport, Neuqua Valley, Oswego East, Oswego. Plainfield North and Sandburg.
“We have never had that many ties in a season,” Garcia said. “We have a very difficult schedule this season. If you look at our schedule, we are playing most of the top teams here in Illinois. Having players like Evan Wojtowich, Scotty Gillen and Benas Ramonas really helps with our success this season.”
Actually, the Warriors have now finished with four or more ties in four straight seasons, although the six ties are the most in at least the past 10 seasons. In 2024, the Warriors went 9-7-5.
“Ties can be frustrating, especially this many in a season,” Garcia said. “Although it does show how even the game can be between the two teams.”
The Warriors, who lost to Naperville North, beat Marmion and tied Oswego last week, travel to Naperville Central for another tough match Tuesday.
Streakin’ in West Chicago and Elgin
Similar to Waubonsie Valley, West Chicago knows what it’s like to draw.
The Wildcats opened the season with ties in three of their first four games, battling Benet, Morton and Naperville North to draws.
“Those first games were challenging and made it tough for us,” Wildcats coach Jose Villa said. “It allowed us to see some flaws and work on those areas."
Since then, their lone tie was a 2-2 decision against St. Viator on Sept. 12.
Despite a 1-0 loss to Glenbard North on Sept. 24, the Wildcats have been perfect, enjoying a 6-1 record since tying St. Viator.
“The boys have been playing very well,” Villa said. “They continue to work hard in training and give each other their 100%. The commitment is there from all of them and we’re proud of how far they’ve come.”
West Chicago (7-3-4) travels to Fenton (4-7-1) on Tuesday.
The Bison are looking to get back on the winning track, having lost four of their last five games, including a 3-0 game against Downers Grove North last Thursday.
After a big 2-1 over St. Charles East on Sept. 3 to get the new month started, Elgin dropped three straight games without scoring a goal, losing 1-0 to Bolingbrook and South Elgin and 2-0 against East Aurora.
But since then, Elgin is unbeaten. The Maroons edged Larkin, 3-2, on Sept. 10 and that kick started a great run which has included wins over Lincoln-Way East, Woodstock, Jefferson, Willowbrook, Dunlap and Timothy Christian.
On Saturday at the 22nd annual Great River Classic in Bettendorf, Iowa, the Maroons finished play with a 0-0 tie against Class 3A defending state champion Naperville North.
Far more than soccer
St. Charles East’s Vince DiNuzzo, St. Charles North’s Eric Willson and Batavia’s Mark Gianfrancesco have been around the area long enough that they know what it’s like to be a part of something as special as last Thursday’s Tri-Cities Night.
For Geneva first-year head coach Blake Hughes, it proved once more that he’s in the right place.
“When I was hired, the administration made it clear that they are a group who values service,” he said. “This matched with where I was coming from (Timothy Christian) 100%. I am all in for helping to guide and craft these gentlemen into mature and respectful young adults. Soccer is great, it’s been a lifelong passion of mine, and it has taken me all over the world, but assisting these boys into becoming productive and considerate members of their environment with Geneva at the center of that … that’s what really drives me. But really, this was nothing to do with me, and my part. It was all a lesson for the program and for the community.”
Tri-Cities Night recognized Titan Sutcliff at this year’s event. Sutcliff, a 2026 Geneva graduate, died this summer.
“We had Mrs. Sutcliff out to training the Friday prior to meet the team and to feel loved,” Hughes said. “Perhaps to develop a small connection to who it was that would be supported. Some even offered to pray with her, which was well received.”
The Vikings would go on to win 3-1 over Batavia as they tried to balance their emotions while empathizing with the Sutcliff family.
“It was a priceless experience and lesson in how to take care of those in need, and that if you are capable of providing support, to anybody, you should probably do so,” Hughes said. “The game will always be here, life can be short. It was a stark reality check.”
Hughes is fully vested into Geneva and the local soccer community. It didn’t take very long to arrive.
“I am proud to walk around with the Geneva Viking soccer crest on my chest knowing that we care and hold ourselves to a high, respectable standard,” Hughes said. “We have already had an alumni morning with 11 participants. Tri-Cities Night highlighted that Geneva is an elite place to be when it comes to soccer and development of young men.”