August 16, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Cromwell, Jackson key as SJO soccer picks up three wins

The success has come in spurts at times this season for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School soccer team.

Right now, the Spartans have to like how they’re playing with three weeks left in the regular season.

SJO has won three of its last four matches heading into Thursday’s 4:30 p.m. home showdown with Illini Prairie Conference foe St. Thomas More.

SJO easily defeated Illini Prairie rival Unity 6-1 on Tuesday at home, making up for a tough 1-0 loss last Saturday at Chillicothe IVC in league play. Prior to the lengthy road trip to Chillicothe and the close defeat to the Grey Ghosts, SJO outlasted Blue Ridge for a 4-3 home nonconference win last Friday and opened Illini Prairie action with a 3-0 win at Olympia on Sept. 15.

The Spartans are now 8-6-1 overall and 2-1 in Illini Prairie play heading into Thursday’s match against STM.

Five different SJO players scored in the win against Unity, with Aiden Cromwell scoring two goals in the first half to help SJO lead 4-0 at halftime. Spenser Wilson and Brennan Haake also had first-half goals before Collin Thomey and Charlie Schmitz recorded goals in the second half. Garrett Siems, Jackson Greer, William Page and Wilson all had assists in the win that saw Hunter Ketchum finish with six saves.

SJO held a 2-0 lead against Blue Ridge in the second half thanks to goals from Jackson and Cromwell, before Blue Ridge managed to cut its deficit to 2-1. A goal from Haake bumped SJO’s lead back to 3-1, but Blue Ridge trimmed its disadvantage again as the Spartans only led 3-2 before Greer added his second goal of the match to help SJO earn the win. Greer and Page each finished with assists against Blue Ridge, while Ketchum made five saves.

Ketchum corralled 10 saves against Chillicothe IVC, but the Spartans couldn’t find the back of the net in their loss last Saturday against the Grey Ghosts.

In the win against Olympia, Cromwell scored two goals, with Haake tallying the final goal of SJO’s eventual win. Siems, Jared Emmert and Owen Baltzell each had an assist, with Ketchum (five saves in 60 minutes) and Carter Mabry (four saves in 20 minutes) combining on the shutout.

The success has come in spurts at times this season for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School soccer team.

Right now, the Spartans have to like how they’re playing with three weeks left in the regular season.

SJO has won three of its last four matches heading into Thursday’s 4:30 p.m. home showdown with Illini Prairie Conference foe St. Thomas More.

SJO easily defeated Illini Prairie rival Unity 6-1 on Tuesday at home, making up for a tough 1-0 loss last Saturday at Chillicothe IVC in league play. Prior to the lengthy road trip to Chillicothe and the close defeat to the Grey Ghosts, SJO outlasted Blue Ridge for a 4-3 home nonconference win last Friday and opened Illini Prairie action with a 3-0 win at Olympia on Sept. 15.

The Spartans are now 8-6-1 overall and 2-1 in Illini Prairie play heading into Thursday’s match against STM.

Five different SJO players scored in the win against Unity, with Aiden Cromwell scoring two goals in the first half to help SJO lead 4-0 at halftime. Spenser Wilson and Brennan Haake also had first-half goals before Collin Thomey and Charlie Schmitz recorded goals in the second half. Garrett Siems, Jackson Greer, William Page and Wilson all had assists in the win that saw Hunter Ketchum finish with six saves.

SJO held a 2-0 lead against Blue Ridge in the second half thanks to goals from Jackson and Cromwell, before Blue Ridge managed to cut its deficit to 2-1. A goal from Haake bumped SJO’s lead back to 3-1, but Blue Ridge trimmed its disadvantage again as the Spartans only led 3-2 before Greer added his second goal of the match to help SJO earn the win. Greer and Page each finished with assists against Blue Ridge, while Ketchum made five saves.

Ketchum corralled 10 saves against Chillicothe IVC, but the Spartans couldn’t find the back of the net in their loss last Saturday against the Grey Ghosts.

In the win against Olympia, Cromwell scored two goals, with Haake tallying the final goal of SJO’s eventual win. Siems, Jared Emmert and Owen Baltzell each had an assist, with Ketchum (five saves in 60 minutes) and Carter Mabry (four saves in 20 minutes) combining on the shutout.

After Thursday’s match with St. Thomas More, the Spartans are slated to host Georgetown-Ridge Farm/Westville at 9 a.m. on Saturday before continuing Illini Prairie action next Tuesday with a 4:30 p.m. match at Bloomington Central Catholic.

Banner
Related Posts

Getting to know SJO football Captain Aidan McCorkle

October 29, 2022

October 29, 2022

We asked the SJO football team captains five questions. Here are Aidan McCorkle’s responses. Why is being a team captain...

Way to go, SJO: Spartans’ girls’ basketball heading to state!

February 19, 2019

February 19, 2019

In a season full of signature wins, the St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ basketball team delivered another one on Monday...

Jones named SJO student-athlete of the month

November 18, 2020

November 18, 2020

Helene Jones likes a challenge. Jones, the October St. Joseph-Ogden student-athlete of the month, enjoys math because it challenges her....

SJO football rolls in season opener

September 2, 2019

September 2, 2019

The season couldn’t have started off on a better note for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School football team. Paced by...

Spartan Classic up next after Mattsey, Plotner run well in Peoria

September 27, 2019

September 27, 2019

It’s the only chance for St. Joseph residents to see the St. Joseph-Ogden High School cross-country teams in action in...

Izard, Cain, Pence key SJO boys’ basketball to sixth-place finish at State Farm Holiday Classic

January 3, 2020

January 3, 2020

The small-school State Farm Holiday Classic ended on a sour note for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School boys’ basketball team....

Immke, Acton get SJO softball back on winning note

April 18, 2023

April 18, 2023

Some high-scoring offensive outbursts. Some tough, disappointing losses to handle. The first month of the season has featured both of...

Postseason play begins for St. Joseph Middle School baseball, softball teams

September 22, 2020

September 22, 2020

Whether the St. Joseph Middle School would have baseball and softball teams this school year was uncertain. All because of...

Smith, Wertz shine as SJO football wins homecoming game

September 26, 2022

September 26, 2022

It was a happy homecoming for the St. Joseph-Ogden football team.And with the Spartans defeating Nokomis 42-12 this past Friday...

10 things you don’t know about me… Shawn Skinner

October 1, 2021

October 1, 2021

1. What is your favorite food? Italian food  2. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas 3. What is your favorite...

Get to know SJO Volleyball Player Taylor Hug

October 31, 2022

October 31, 2022

What do you think makes the team so successful? We have a lot of team chemistry and get along with...

SJO5k Results for July 30, 2022

August 1, 2022

August 1, 2022

Name City Bib No Age Gender Age Group Total Time Pace 1 Austin Bridgman Potomac IL 632 22 M 1:Open...

Three relays, three individuals move on to state for SJO boys’ track and field

May 21, 2019

May 21, 2019

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School boys’ track and field team will have a solid contingent representing the Spartans at the...

SJO volleyball cruises to three straight road wins

September 3, 2019

September 3, 2019

So far, the road has not produced any bad results for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School volleyball team. The Spartans...

Wells, defense shine as balanced SJO girls’ basketball team wins regional title

February 22, 2022

February 22, 2022

The high school girls’ basketball season has taken St. Joseph-Ogden High School all across the state of Illinois. With plenty...

Comments
Leave a Reply