Boys soccer: Jones, who believes in ‘always working, always fighting,’ boosts Geneva to sixth shutout of the season
After not seeing the field as much as he would have liked last year, Geneva’s Brendan Jones was more than ready to contribute this season.
The senior defender bided his time to get into the lineup, but now that he’s there, he has been one of the catalysts as the Vikings have allowed only three goals through nine games.
“All the sitting out made me, not so much angry, but it made me want to be better,” Jones said. “It was motivating. Last season, I didn’t get to play that much.
“This season, I’m really trying to prove myself and show who I am as a player.”
Jones, a key contributor on an unsung side of the field, helped Geneva post its sixth shutout of the season Thursday night with a 2-0 nonconference win at Bartlett.
Gabe Barwiolek, the team’s leading scorer this season, scored both goals in the second half for Geneva (7-1-1). He has scored nine of the Vikings’ 14 goals.
Defense, however, has been the hallmark of Geneva’s season so far under first-year coach Blake Hughes. The Vikings have won four straight games, outscoring opponents 8-0 in that span.
Jones making the leap from reserve to defensive stalwart has been a big reason why.
“I reached out to him before the season and his parents and told them, look, I love that you’re physical,” Hughes said. “I love the work ethic you bring to the team. I love the energy. If we’re going to be successful this year, I need you to keep yourself composed and be able to play in an aggressive manner like he did (Thursday).
“He gets a yellow card here and there along the way, but the kid is just aggressive and makes a difference in the back.”
Jones has no problem walking that edge, getting under the skin of opponents while also helping his team thrive.
“I love being aggressive,” Jones said. “I’m very passionate about soccer. I love being aggressive and I’m always working, always fighting.”
Despite dominating the run of play in the first half Thursday, Geneva didn’t score until the 29:25 mark of the second half.
Barwiolek took advantage of a one-on-one opportunity and fired a shot that hit the bottom of the crossbar and dropped in for a 1-0 lead. He followed that up with a penalty kick with 19:34 left.
Hughes knows without the work of Jones, the rest of the defense and the sophomore goalkeeper tandem of Matthew Beal and Kyle Kelly, Barwiolek and the Vikings’ offense wouldn’t have the success its having.
“You have to be solid moving from back to front,” Hughes said. “Goals will happen because you’re establishing your lines and doing the right things moving forward.”
That comes naturally for Jones, who has played with Barwiolek since they were 7 years old.
“We’ve built chemistry throughout the years,” Jones said. “Him and I are a great connection.”
Bartlett coach Anthony Glorioso noticed how tall Geneva’s defense was before the game and lamented the fact the Hawks were unable to convert despite breaking through at times, .
“We got through, no doubt about it,” Glorioso said. “We just couldn’t finish.
“I really think that we played our best game, even though the result doesn’t show that.”
Hughes is happy that everyone has bought in to a new coach and the results are showing for Geneva. Providing opportunities for players like Jones has been a big part of it.
“Until somebody gets a chance and you believe in somebody and somebody understands that they can do it, maybe they don’t know that they can,” Hughes said.