Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
St. Joseph-Ogden's Quinn Stahl fends off a Blue Ridge defender during a non-conference home match on September 16. Stahl delivered one of ten goals scored against Iroquois West in Friday's regional semifinal game at St. Anne.
The Spartans’ high-powered attack was led by standout performances from several key players. Alex Acosta notched a hat trick, adding an assist for good measure, while Tyler Hess matched his teammate with three goals and one assist. Logan Mills contributed two goals and two assists, and Yadi Acosta and Quinn Stahl each chipped in with a goal. SJO’s relentless offensive pressure proved too much for Iroquois West, which struggled to contain the Spartans’ dynamic attack. Davin Alvarez also added an assist in the rout, while goalkeeper Jaxson Colvin made two saves on three shots to secure the win. While the offense garnered much of the attention, St. Joseph-Ogden’s defense has been equally formidable throughout the season. Friday’s match marked the 21st game since the team’s last loss on August 29, a stretch that has included 14 shutouts. The Spartans have allowed just 15 goals all season, a testament to their balanced play on both sides of the ball. St. Joseph-Ogden (21-1-1) will now prepare for the regional championship match against Watseka. With the Spartans riding a 21-game unbeaten streak, including 20 wins and one draw since their lone defeat to Urbana University High, they appear poised to make a strong push in the remainder of the postseason. The Spartans’ offensive firepower, combined with their stingy defense, has made them a formidable contender in the IHSA playoffs. As they head into the regional final, SJO will look to continue its historic season and add more hardware in an already impressive campaign.
Keywords: St. Joseph-Ogden soccer, IHSA soccer record, Illinois high school soccer, SJO vs Iroquois West, St. Joseph-Ogden regional title, Illinois soccer playoffs.
