Oakwood brought the Comets, but SJO brought the fireworks. Acosta found the net three times, and Stevens apparently decided records were optional.
MONTICELLO - St. Joseph-Ogden got a three-goal performance from Yadi Acosta in his return to the field and a record-setting night from Lucas Stevens as the Spartans rolled past Oakwood 6-2 in an IHSA regional semifinal Tuesday at Monticello.
The Spartans, now 15-6-2, scored three goals in each half to put away the Comets and earn a spot in Friday’s regional championship game against the host Monticello Sages.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
St. Joseph-Ogden senior Yadi Acosta controls the ball during the Spartans home match against Unity in 2025.
Acosta made an immediate impact in his return after an injury that threatened to end his season, scoring three times to help power SJO’s offense.
Stevens added two goals and two assists. His two assists gave him 28 for the season, breaking the school’s single-season record.
"Stuff is coming together," said head coach Chris Stevens. "We are making a big push."
Tyler Hess also scored for the Spartans and added an assist, while Nico Harris and Skyler Graham each recorded an assist.
SJO goalkeeper Hunter Cler made four saves as the Spartans held Oakwood to nine shots on goal.
"We play like we always do," Stevens said smiling. He added, "We're lucky by having some injuries earlier in the year, allowing our players to play in positions they normally wouldn't play in. It actually helped us out."
Pedro Rangel scored both of Oakwood’s goals, taking three shots and converting twice. Both goals came off assists from Mason Swartz.
Oakwood goalkeeper Camen Harris made two saves.
The loss ended the Comets’ season with a 13-11 record.
The Spartans will face Monticello on Friday for the regional championship at 4 p.m. and a chance to continue their postseason run. In their last meeting, their 90 minute contest ended in a 2-2 draw.
More SJO Sports Articles
Tags: St. Joseph-Ogden, SJO Spartans, SJO soccer, Oakwood, Oakwood Comets, Monticello, IHSA soccer, high school soccer, boys soccer, regional soccer, Yadi Acosta, Lucas Stevens
TAGS: Progressive tax plan will hurt small business, Urbana tennis loses home match, women motorcyclist want designer riding gear, SJO beats Unity in volleyball match, Sentinel September 24 articles, Unity golf finishes first at conference tournament
TAGS: Delicious recipe to make at home, how to make your side hustle work, STM soccer beats SJO, the benefit of installing a heat pump, Champaign-Urbana tennis team qualifies for USTA Nationals, St. Joseph-Ogden football falls to BCC
TAGS: Champaign County high school volleyball scores, Unity football loses home game to Belleville Althoff,Home improvement tips for a second kitchen, Kentucky is a great fall getaway destination, SJO tennis team loses to GCMS
SJO’s 4-0 win over Uni High delivered multiple milestones: a second consecutive regional title, a first-time season sweep of Uni High, and a record-breaking 23rd win.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
St. Joseph-Ogden junior Yadi Acosta settles the ball during first half action against Unity last week. The Spartans' lead defender helped SJO reach several milestones in their regional title game against Uni-High.
by Clark Brooks
Sentinel Sports
ST. JOSEPH - The St. Joseph-Ogden soccer team is having an impressive, even legendary, season. If there’s one word that describes this year’s squad, head coach Chris Stevens said it’s “family.”
“They all play for each other and know how critical every player’s role is in our overall success,” he said.
On Saturday, that family played together to achieve several impressive milestones at Dick Duval Field. First, SJO’s 4-0 win marked the program’s second consecutive regional title. Second, it was the first time in school history the Spartans shut out perennial small-school powerhouse Urbana University High School. Third, when the final buzzer sounded, it was also the first time St. Joseph-Ogden had beaten Uni High twice in the same season. Finally, the victory pushed the Spartans to their winningest season ever, improving their record to 23-1-2.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Tyler Hess dribbles the ball away from a Unity Rocket defender during Tuesday's semifinal match.
“We were extremely thrilled with our players’ performance this past week. We knew Uni High would come ready to play,” Stevens said. “We spent the week preparing both mentally and physically to get the job done. Earning the win against them the second time around was incredibly rewarding—and adding a shutout on top of that made it even better.”
Zach Harper recorded yet another hat trick, and Tyler Hess found the back of the net in the second half to send the Spartans to the Williamsville Sectional semifinal.
Next up, St. Joseph-Ogden will face Athens-Greenview-Illini Central in the sectional semifinal on Tuesday. The Warriors advanced after ending Monticello’s postseason bid with eight seconds left in the first overtime period, winning 3-2. Both the Spartans and Warriors defeated Argenta-Oreana and Meridian-Sangamon Valley by nearly identical scores during the regular season.
“We know both teams will come out playing like they have nothing to lose,” Stevens said about his game plan for Tuesday night. The SJO coaching staff has diligently analyzed game film and will be ready. “We’re going to stay true to our game plan—this team knows how to win, and that’s exactly what we intend to do.”
With three top scorers, the Spartans look poised to advance to the sectional final. Harper has scored 55 goals this season, followed by Hess with 34 and freshman Lucas Stevens with 22. Hunter Cler rounds out SJO’s top four scorers with eight goals.
When asked what the Spartans are doing best right now, Stevens pointed to the team’s mindset. “Consistency is the key,” he said.
St. Joseph-Ogden is scheduled to take on the Warriors at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Williamsville High School.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Zach Harper lines up a shot on Unity's goal during their regional semifinal match. The senior scored six goals to give SJO the win on Tuesday.
Tagged: St. Joseph-Ogden soccer regional championship, IHSA sectional semifinal Williamsville, Zach Harper hat trick Uni High shutout, Illinois high school soccer postseason, SJO Spartans 23-1-2 record 2025 season
ST. JOSEPH - Zach Harper gently guides the ball into the net to score his sixth of the game in St. Joseph-Ogden's regional semifinal game against Unity on Tuesday. SJO advanced to Saturday's regional title game after a 7-0 victory over the Rockets at Dick Duval Field. The Spartans (22-1-2) will face #5 seed Urbana University High (12-6-4), who defeated St. Thomas More 1-0 on Wednesday. Open kick is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday at St. Joseph-Ogden High School. More photo and game recap coming soon.
St. Joseph-Ogden rolled past Unity 7-0 for its 17th straight win, extending its shutout dominance so far this season.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Hunter Cler settles the ball during the Spartans' home match on Saturday against IVC. Cler delivered two goals in St. Joseph-Ogden's game against Unity on Tuesday.
ST. JOSEPH - The St. Joseph-Ogden soccer team rumbled to a 5-0 first half start against visiting Unity on Tuesday. Adding two more goals in the second frame, the Spartans defeated the Rockets 7-0 in Illini Prairie Conference play at Dick Duval Field.
Hunter Cler opened the scoring with a finish off a Lucas Stevens pass, and the goals came quickly after that. Tyler Hess buried one, Cler struck again—again with Stevens providing the setup—and Stevens himself joined the party with a goal of his own. Before halftime, Zach Harper dished an assist to Skyler Graham, who closed the first-half scoring with the Spartans up 5-0.
The second half played out much the same way. Harper found the net and later turned provider again, assisting Waylon Jones to close out SJO’s seven-goal shutout win.
The victory only added to a remarkable run under head coach Chris Stevens, who has led the Spartans to 55 wins against just 11 losses in his two and a half seasons at the helm. Ranked by both the Associated Press and MaxPreps, the Spartans are a perfect 17-0 this fall. For context, the Illinois high school record for consecutive wins belongs to New Trier, which strung together 88 victories between 2002 and 2005. While SJO isn’t there yet, the streak has put them in rare company.
Even more eye-catching than the win-loss column is the team’s defensive dominance. Tuesday’s clean sheet was their 12th of the season, and between August 29 and September 18 they stacked nine straight to enter the IHSA’s consecutive shutouts list. The Spartans have scored 98 goals so far this season while surrendering just seven—yes, you can still count them all on two hands.
SJO’s schedule doesn’t slow down. They’ll host Georgetown-Ridge Farm-Westville on Sept. 27, face Danville in a non-conference match on Sept. 29, and return to league play Oct. 1 at St. Thomas More. Four more regular season games remain before the Spartans turn their focus toward postseason play.
For Unity, the night was another tough outing. The Rockets fell to 1-5-2 overall and 0-2 in the Illini Prairie. They’ll travel to Rantoul on Sept. 25 and then host Illinois Valley Central Saturday morning at 10 a.m.
Box Score
Scoring Summary
St. Joseph-Ogden 7, Unity 0
First Half
SJO – Hunter Cler (assist Lucas Stevens)
SJO – Tyler Hess
SJO – Hunter Cler (assist Lucas Stevens)
SJO – Lucas Stevens
SJO – Skyler Graham (assist Zach Harper)
Second Half
SJO – Zach Harper
SJO – Waylon Jones (assist Zach Harper)
Team Records
St. Joseph-Ogden: 17-0 (2-0 IPC)
Unity: 1-5-2 (0-2 IPC)
TAGS: St. Joseph-Ogden soccer 2025 season, Unity Rockets vs SJO soccer recap, Illini Prairie Conference boys soccer scores, Illinois high school soccer shutouts, unbeaten high school soccer teams Illinois
The Spartans are ranked No. 1 in Illinois Class 1A for the first time. Their 12-0 season has featured 10 shutouts and an 82-6 scoring margin.
FARMER CITY - The moment was years in the making, and St. Joseph-Ogden made sure to rise to it. For the first time in program history, when the Spartans stepped onto the field this week, they did so as the No. 1 ranked team in Illinois Class 1A boys soccer. Highly deserving of the recognition, SJO's domination on the pitch continued with a win over Blue Ridge yesterday.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Looking to send the ball to an open teammate, Spartans' Buddy Stevens keeps the ball away from Urbana University's Jax Taylor during his team's home match in August. This week, St. Joseph-Ogden plays grueling five-match schedule from the top of the Class 1A rankings.
Behind four goals from junior Zach Harper and a hat trick from Hunter Cler, SJO powered past Knights 9-0 on the road, stretching their unbeaten season to 12-0 and keeping their storybook run alive.
Harper got down to business early, connecting twice in the first half on pinpoint feeds from midfielder Tyler Hess, who finished with four assists. Harper also turned provider, setting up goals for Cler and freshman Ainsley Freeman, who celebrated her first varsity score.
Cler went on to complete his hat trick, while the Spartans also benefited from a Hoopeston own goal. By the final horn, SJO’s relentless attack had overwhelmed the Knights, keeping their defensive dominance intact with a 10th shutout of the year.
"Steven Newman & Waylon Jones (Batman & Robin) are the dynamic duo on the back line," head coach Chris Stevens said. "Yadi Acosta holds down the middle and Lucas Stevens is up top looking to score or assist his teammates."
Jones and Newman are juniors, which means SJO's soccer program will simply reload in 2026.
The Spartans have now outscored opponents 82-6 this season, their No. 1 state ranking underscoring a rapid rise built on depth and determination. SJO also holds the No. 479 spot nationally, ranked ahead of Chicago Academy and Coal City in Illinois 1A. Since the start of 2022, the program has won 51 matches against just 11 losses, a turnaround that has placed the school the map, mirroring the school's storied football program.
Stevens said three attributes define this year’s roster: discipline, determination, and unselfishness. "They have set big team goals for postseason and want to see them through," he said. "[Every] player, seniors through freshman, want everyone to succeed. This is a cohesive group of players and it’s a privilege to be a part of this journey with them."
Now, the focus shifts to Illini Prairie Conference play. The Spartans host Monticello (4-7-1) today before a quick two-game road swing to Olympia on Wednesday and Bloomington Central Catholic on Thursday. After a short rest, they’ll return home to face Illinois Valley Central Saturday morning — all with their new No. 1 target on their backs.
Scoring Summary
Zach Harper (assist: Tyler Hess)
Hunter Cler (assist: Zach Harper)
Ainsley Freeman (assist: Zach Harper)
Own Goal (Hoopeston)
Zach Harper (assist: Tyler Hess)
Hunter Cler (unassisted)
Zach Harper (assist: Tyler Hess)
Zach Harper (assist: Tyler Hess)
Hunter Cler (penalty kick)
St. Joseph-Ogden soccer unbeaten season, Illinois Class 1A soccer rankings, Zach Harper SJO soccer highlights, Hunter Cler hat trick SJO, SJO Blue Ridge soccer recap
St. Joseph-Ogden captured its second consecutive Bomber Classic title with a 7-0 win over Meridian, improving to 9-0 this season.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Spartans' Lucas Stevens keeps the ball away Uni-High's Leo Rota during their match last month. Stevens delivered a goal and four assists across to contests in St. Joseph-Ogden's back-to-back Bomber Classic win last week. ARGENTA - For the second consecutive year, the St. Joseph-Ogden boys soccer team captured the Bomber Classic title at Argenta High School, rolling to a 7-0 victory over Meridian High School on Saturday. The win pushed the Spartans to 9-0 on the season, continuing a remarkable stretch in which SJO has won 31 of its last 35 contests.
Led by striker Zach Harper, St. Joseph-Ogden has been nearly unstoppable offensively this season, scoring at least seven goals in every match. A talented supporting cast feeding Harper the ball has made the Spartans a difficult team to contain. The team carried that intensity throughout the Bomber Classic, leaving little doubt about their dominance.
SJO’s championship performance featured five goals in the first half. Harper scored three times and added an assist, while Tyler Hess contributed two goals with one assist. Lucas Stevens provided two assists, and Hunter Cler added one. Harper completed his four-goal performance with a second-half goal off a feed from Hess.
The tournament victory followed an earlier 7-0 win over Decatur MacArthur on September 4. Harper scored three goals and Hess added two. Lucas Stevens had a goal and two assists, Hunter Cler contributed one assist, Miles Atwood added a goal, and goalkeeper Quinn Stahl recorded one save in the shutout. SJO also received a forfeit win from Mt. Pulaski/Hartsburg-Emden, who withdrew prior to the tournament’s start.
SJO vs MacArthur
In their tournament opener against MacArthur, St. Joseph-Ogden displayed the same offensive precision that has defined their 2025 campaign. The Spartans took control early, using sharp passing and well-timed runs to create scoring opportunities. Harper, as usual, was central to the attack, with Hess and Stevens connecting on multiple chances to keep the General's on their heels. Harper finished with three goals, Hess with two, and Stevens adding icing on the cake with solo strike.
Defensively, SJO limited MacArthur’s opportunities, maintaining pressure in midfield and cutting off clear passing lanes. Goalkeeper Quinn Stahl made key saves to keep the shutout intact while the Spartans hammered away at extending their lead. The team’s discipline and cohesion on both sides of the ball showcased why SJO has been able to maintain such a dominant record this season.
Demonstrating both offensive firepower and defensive stability, the Spartans’ unbeaten streak continues for another week into the season.
On the dockett this week
The Spartans will return to Dick Duval Field this week for two matches. They host Fisher/Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, a team they tied once during last year’s season. On Saturday, SJO will welcome Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin for a non-conference showdown.
Match Stats: St. Joseph-Ogden vs Meridian High School
Final Score: 7-0 Scoring:
Zach Harper (unassisted)
Zach Harper (assist: Hunter Cler)
Tyler Hess (assist: Zach Harper)
Tyler Hess (assist: Lucas Stevens)
Zach Harper (assist: Lucas Stevens)
Second half:
Zach Harper (assist: Tyler Hess) Stat Leaders:
Zach Harper — 4 goals, 1 assist
Tyler Hess — 2 goals, 1 assist
Lucas Stevens — 2 assists
Hunter Cler — 1 assist
Match Stats: SJO vs Decatur MacArthur
Final Score: 7-0 Scoring:
Lucas Stevens (unassisted)
Zach Harper (unassisted)
Zach Harper (unassisted)
Second half:
Zach Harper (assist: Hunter Cler)
Miles Atwood (assist: Lucas Stevens)
Tyler Hess (assist: Lucas Stevens)
Tyler Hess (unassisted) Stat Leaders:
Tyler Hess — 2 goals
Zach Harper — 3 goals
Lucas Stevens — 1 goal, 2 assists
Hunter Cler — 1 assist
Miles Atwood — 1 goal
Quinn Stahl — 1 save
TAGGED: St. Joseph-Ogden Bomber Classic 2025, SJO soccer tournament win, Zach Harper scoring, Meridian vs St. Joseph-Ogden soccer, Illinois high school soccer
Historic win: SJO Spartans beat University High 5-3, led by Hess, Harper, and Stevens.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
St. Joseph-Ogden's Zach Harper challenges Uni-High's Aldo Zepeda for possession during first half action at Dick Duval Field. Harper delivered a goal and three assists in the Spartans first-ever win over the Illineks. ST. JOSEPH - On Wednesday, the St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans soccer team achieved a milestone that had eluded them for years, defeating Urbana University High for the first time in 13 meetings.
The Illineks, known for their disciplined play and elite ball handling, fell to SJO thanks to second-half goals from Lucas “Buddy” Stevens and Zach Harper. The 5-3 victory marks a program-first for St. Joseph-Ogden, now 3-0 on the young season.
Tyler Hess sparked the offensive surge with two first-half goals on passes from Harper, tying the game at 2-all late in the half. Harper then broke the deadlock with a goal at 1:54, finding the east goal at Dick Duval Field to give the Spartans a 3-2 lead heading into halftime.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
University High's Muhammad Iftikhar attempts to block the ball as goes off the head of St. Joseph-Ogden's Lucas Stevens. Steven, who lined up an assist earlier, scored the Spartans' fifth goal on the second-half play.
The second half saw Hess complete his hat trick on a header from a Stevens cross at 37:10, extending the lead to 4-2. University High's Robert Tu responded at 25:54 with a well-placed shot in the box, trimming the deficit to 4-3 with his third goal, but a resilient Spartan defense, anchored by goalie Quinn Stahl, held firm to prevent any further scoring.
With just 17:13 remaining, Stevens sealed the historic win with a header from a Harper assist, finalizing the score at 5-3.
Statistically, SJO was led by Harper with one goal and three assists, Hess with three goals and one assist, and Stevens contributing a goal and an assist. Stahl recorded eight saves to secure the victory.
"They are always a good team," head coach Chris Stevens said about the Illinek. "Whether they lose 20 players or 15, it doesn't matter. They always have a good team."
Stevens said he is excited to watch this year's squad come together.
"We have a good team this year, and I'm looking forward to seeing what we can do," he said. "I'm looking forward to having the guys who played all year back out there."
Last year, the SJO soccer team started the season with one win and two losses, including a loss to Uni High. The Spartans then went on an 18-game win streak before falling in the IHSA sectional semifinal. Now 3-0, the program and its core players are positioned for another successful season.
Stevens said this year's team strength lies in its ability to communicate and stay dedicated.
"Some of these kids have played together for more than eight years," he said. "I have 27 kids who show up for every practice."
Looking ahead, undefeated St. Joseph-Ogden faces a challenging stretch with three matches in four days: hosting Mt. Pulaski/Hartsburg-Emden on Sept. 2, traveling to Schlarman on Sept. 3, and ending the run at Decatur Eisenhower.
University High, now 1-1, also begins a three-game week starting on the road against Champaign Central on Sept. 2, followed by home matches against Monticello on Sept. 4 and Fisher/Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley on Sept. 6.
While the loss stun and stung the Illineks, for them it was a step forward in their quest for another regional or even sectional title.
"Obviously, Robert Tu scoring three goals was amazing. He was working hard the entire game," said Uni head coach Joe Krehbiel. "I think we didn't match their physicality, especially in the first half."
After losing 15 seniors, the Illinek are a relatively young team. While the squad certainly has its strengths, Krehbiel said the team needs time to mature. Despite the loss and with only three senior to handle the leadership roles, he believes his program is still competitive among the top Class 1A teams in the area.
"Overall, we are less experienced than we were this time last year," he said. "Our midfield is pretty strong. We were able to move the ball around pretty well and create chances for Robert."
More photos
St. Joseph-Ogden soccer first win over Urbana University High, Tyler Hess hat trick high school soccer, Illinois high school soccer upsets 2025, SJO Spartans soccer results September 2025, High school soccer program milestone victory
ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph-Ogden's Tyler Hess is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal in the first half. The junior led the team to a 5-3 win over University High on Wednesday at Dick Duval Field. Hess, who is the top finisher in the area with a hat trick in the team's first three matches this season, will try to make it four in a row in the undefeated Spartans' road game against the Vermilion Valley Conference's Hoopeston Area Cornjerkers on Friday. More photos and game recap coming soon.
Spartans open 2025-26 with a big road win at Oakwood. Hess leads the charge with a hat trick.
OAKWOOD -St. Joseph-Ogden’s boys soccer team wasted no time showing its firepower, striking for seven goals in a 7-3 road win over Oakwood on Thursday to begin the 2025-26 season. The Spartans flipped the script from a year ago, when the Comets handed them a 5-1 defeat in the same matchup to open the season.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Steven Newman returns to the Spartan lineup in 2025. The junior scored a goal in SJO's first game of the season, avenging last year's 5-1 loss to the Comets.
Senior forward Tyler Hess delivered a standout performance with three goals and an assist, sparking an offense that spread the scoring responsibilities across the lineup.
Four other Spartans added goals of their own. Steven Newman, Hunter Cler, Zach Harper, and Skyler Graham each found the net, while Harper and Graham also earned assists. Midfielder Lucas “Buddy” Stevens orchestrated the attack with three assists, setting up his teammates in key moments.
The win comes at the start of a grueling run, with SJO scheduled to play five matches in the first six days of the season. The Spartans visit Hoopeston Area on Friday before hosting Iroquois West on Saturday at Dick Duval Field.
SJO enters the season looking to build on last year’s strong campaign. After a slow start in 2024, the Spartans rattled off 18 wins and a tie before falling in the sectional semifinals to eventual Class 1A state champion Normal University. They finished with a 22-3-1 record, cementing themselves among the area’s top programs.
This fall’s lineup is anchored by returning seniors Quinn Stahl, Branson Pearman, and Harper, with fellow seniors Hadley Sweet, Michael McDaniel, and Rudra Chaudhory providing additional leadership and depth.
Upcoming SJO Matches
Fri, Aug. 29, 2025 – 4:30 p.m. at Hoopeston Area High School
Sat, Aug. 30, 2025 – 10:00 a.m. vs. Iroquois West High School at Dick Duval Field
TAGS: St. Joseph-Ogden boys soccer 2025 season opener, Tyler Hess hat trick vs Oakwood soccer, IHSA Class 1A boys soccer sectional contenders, St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans upcoming soccer schedule, Illinois high school soccer early season matchups
Illustrious - Showcases and the stories behind Illinois’ most iconic high school gyms
CHICAGO - On a quiet Saturday afternoon in January 2012, at the Oak Park-River Forest field house, a simple thought refused to leave Vincent Johnson alone.
Covering a girls basketball game for the Oak Leaves, Johnson found himself looking beyond the box score and into the bones of the building itself. The space was overwhelming in the best way. Big. Empty. Striking. The field house - massive, architectural, overwhelming in character - was alive with echoes. The gym itself demanded his attention.
How good is your next steak? Look closely at the marbling
By Casey Cartwright
A premium steak makes an impression before it even reaches the grill. Fine streaks of fat run through the muscle, creating the visual pattern known as marbling. Those delicate flecks do much more than make a steak look appealing. They influence flavor and tenderness and affect how the beef performs over high heat.
Marbling plays a major role in the experience people expect from premium beef, but understanding it takes more than looking for the fattiest steak in the case. The amount and distribution of intramuscular ...
