The St. Joseph-Ogden boys’ soccer team is undefeated through the first two weeks of the season. Here is a quick rundown of what happened Wednesday and Thursday with the Spartans’ varsity programs:
In boys’ soccer
Stevens, Acosta and Hess stand out for Spartans
The heat pushed two St. Joseph-Ogden home matches back to 7 p.m. starts on Wednesday and Thursday, but the Spartans shined brightly under the lights at Dick Duval Field in St. Joseph.
SJO cruised to a 9-0 win against Hoopeston Area/Armstrong-Potomac on Thursday night, a night after the Spartans soundly defeated Schlarman 10-1 on Wednesday night.
The two nonconference victories improved SJO’s record to 5-0 through the first two weeks of the season as the Spartans have outscored their opponents 32-4.
The win against the Cornjerkers on Thursday was the first shutout of the season for SJO, which received goals from four different players.
Sophomore Lucas Stevens led the way with three goals and three assists, while senior Yadi Acosta also recorded a hat trick with three goals as well. Senior Tyler Hess contributed two goals and two assists, while senior Steven Newman added a goal and freshman Dylan Rineberg also tallied an assist.
In the victory against Schlarman, Hess, Acosta and Stevens all delivered hat tricks as the trio each scored three goals. Sophomore Ainsley Freeman registered the other goal, while Stevens distributed four assists. Hess and Acosta also had an assist in the victory, while junior Miles Atwood made one save in goal.
The Spartans will look to keep their undefeated start to the season intact on Saturday when they are scheduled to being Illini Prairie Conference play with a 10 a.m. match at Chillicothe IVC.
In volleyball
Smith, Williams deliver against A-P
SJO is now 4-2 on the season after visiting Teutopolis left St. Joseph with a hard-fought 23-25, 25-22, 25-23 win on Thursday night in a nonconference match, the Spartans’ third match in as many days.
Prior to the loss against the Wooden Shoes, the Spartans held off Armstrong-Potomac to earn a 25-13, 25-27, 25-14 nonconference win on Wednesday night in St. Joseph.
Junior Vivian Smith produced a team-high 11 kills for the Spartans in the win against the Trojans and senior Emerson Williams nearly joined her in double digits with nine kills. Senior Hadley McDonald added six kills and seven digs, while junior Lyla Patton (three kills) and junior Raegan Wheatley (two kills) also chipped in.
Junior Megan Kearney delivered a double-double with 13 assists and 15 digs, while senior Alivia Learned (15 assists, six digs) and junior Ava Alexander (16 digs) also played vital roles in the win.
SJO now turns its attention to the Mattoon Tournament on Saturday.
What’s on tap
The SJO football team (2-0, 2-0 Illini Prairie) returns home to host Chillicothe IVC (0-2, 0-2) at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Dick Duval Field. On Saturday, four SJO varsity teams are set to compete. The SJO volleyball team will take part in the Mattoon Tournament, the SJO cross-country teams will run in the Cow Chip Classic in Chrisman that begins at 9 a.m. and the SJO boys’ soccer team plays at Chillicothe IVC at 10 a.m.
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