Despite a solid first half, St. Joseph-Ogden soccer team opens season with loss

St. Joseph - St. Joseph-Ogden's Logan Patton settles the ball to keep it away from Oakwood-Salt Fork's Saul Carrillo during their season opener at Dick Duval Field on Monday. The Spartans, who are back on the pitch again today, fell 5-1 to the visiting Comets. SJO hosts the Bombers of Argenta-Oreana at 6:30 pm looking to bounce back from yesterday's loss. Below is a list of today's games streamed by the NFHS Network. Watch the SJO vs Oakwood-Salt Fork game here.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks



TODAY'S SPORTS LINE UP


Unity Varsity Girls Volleyball
@ LEROY | 4:50 PM Central
STREAM LIVE
Unity Varsity Boys Soccer
@ ST. TERESA | 5:00 PM Central
STREAM LIVE
SJO JV Volleyball VS Armstrong
HOME | 5:55 PM Central
STREAM LIVE
SJO Varsity Soccer VS Argenta-Oreana
HOME | 6:30 PM Central
STREAM LIVE
SJO Varsity Volleyball VS Armstrong
HOME | 7:00 PM Central
STREAM LIVE

Rockets fall to the Illineks regional semifinal

Nolan Remole, a junior, kicks the ball downfield during Unity's Illini Prairie Conference road game at St. Joseph-Ogden. The Rockets' soccer season came to an end after falling 7-0 to #2 seed Urbana U-High in the Monticello regional on Friday. The Rockets, who won their IHSA first-round playoff game 2-1 over Judah Christian, finished the season with eight wins against nine losses and one tie. The path to a regional title was difficult for this year's team, with six of the ten schools in their subsectional listed as private schools or academies.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Related articles:


Photo Gallery | Unity vs SJO
Rockets' Tre Hoggard returns the ball after an SJO field goal attempt in the first quarter. Hoggard, a sophomore, carried the ball 11 ...

Tarr leads Unity in acing Urbana, 2-0
Reagan Little and Piper Steele combined efforts to produce seven kills in Unity's home volleyball match against Urbana on Monday. The Rockets won the contest in straight sets...

Mills, Acosta boot two goal apiece in SJO win over visiting Rockets

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
St. Joseph-Ogden's Branson Pearman challenges Unity's Gabe Pound for possession during the first half of their conference soccer match at Dick Duval Field on Tuesday, September 19. Logan Mills and Alex Acosta scored two goal each to give the Spartans a 4-1 conference win over the Rockets. Unity's lone goal came in the second half on penalty kick from senior Brendan Bachert. More photos from this game coming soon.


More prep sports news:


Prep Sports Notebook: SJO, Unity soccer programs suffer losses


Rice picks win for Spartan tennis program

Watseka -- St. Joseph-Ogden's Lily Rice defeated Watseka's Annika Greene in tie-break 8-7 (6) on Tuesday. Spartan doubles duo Halie Harms and Emma Thurman cruised to a 8-4 victory in the team's road match over Warriors' Annika Greene and Marisa Clark at #3 doubles. SJO lost the dual match, 7-2.

Box Score:

Singles:
No. 1 - Emma Simons, Watseka def. Abbey Dow, SJO, 8-5
No. 2 - Ava Swartz, Watseka def. Katie McDermott, SJO, 8-1
No. 3 - Baler Rigsby, Watseka def. Addison Seggebruch, SJO, 8-5
No. 4 - Moriah Pueschell, Watseka def. Lauren Lannert, SJO, 8-0
No. 5 - Sarah Parsons, Watseka def. Izzy Sexton, SJO, 8-0
No. 6 - Lily Rice, SJO def. Annika Greene, Watseka, 8-7 (6)

Doubles:
No. 1 - Emma Simons/Baler Rigsby, Watseka def. Addison Ross/McKennah Hamilton, SJO, 8-1
No. 2 - Moriah Pueschell/Sarah Parsons, Watseka def. Jessica Gadbury/Madison Clampitt, SJO, 8-4
No. 3 - Halie Harms/Emma Thurman, SJO def. Annika Greene/Marisa Clark, Watseka, 8-4


Spartan soccer team blanked

St. Joseph -- The St. Joseph-Ogden soccer team fell 3-0 to visiting Bloomington Central Catholic after their Illini Prairie Conference match. Starting keeper Hunter Ketchum made three saves and backup goalie Jacik Slowikowski also recorded three saves for the Spartans (10-4-1).

The Saints got first half goals from Boyden Chaon and Jarrett Wieduwilt. Jaylen Bischoff scored the third time for BCC.


Rockets 2, Olympia 6

Sanford -- Nolan Remole scored once and later feed a pass on an attack that allowed Gabe Pound to score in the second half for Unity against the visiting Spartans. After Pound's goal, Olympia scored two more to go up 6-2 in the non-conference match.

The Rockets' regular season contest winds down next week with a home match against Oakwood on Monday. The team is on a bus for a roadtrip to north Champaign to face the Sabers of St. Thomas More.


Prep Sports Notebook: Accosta scores SJO's first, Unity volleyball drops heartbreaker


Schweighart, Atkins net 6 kills each

Unity's Emmalee Atkins and Kaitlyn Schweighart put away six kills each in the team's home match against St. Teresa on Monday. Their effort was not enough for the Rockets, who fell to the visiting Bulldogs, 2-1.

JJ LeFaivre, who recorded one block, contributed five kills to the UHS cause. Schweighart also had 11 digs and hammered four aces in the non-conference clash.

The Rockets won the opening set 26-24 and then dropped the next two, 25-17, 25-23.


Spartans crush visiting Tribe

The St. Joseph-Ogden soccer team went on a first-half rampage, scoring three goals in the first half of their home match against Judah Christian on their way to a 4-0 victory on Monday.

Sophomore Alex Accosta started scoring effort with an unassisted shot between the post. Later, Aiden Cromwell booted one in to put SJO up, 2-0. Before the midgame break, Ryker Lockhart's pass allowed Collin Thomey to join the goal party.

Will Childers, a senior defensive specialist, also recorded a second-half assist after sophomore Logan Mills found the net for the fourth unanswered score of the game.

The win kicks off a grueling schedule for the Spartans (10-3-1), who play five-consecutive matches this week, four at home. This afternoon, SJO will host Central Catholic from Bloomington for a conference confrontation and are back on the pitch on Wednesday for a non-conference bout against Iroquois West.

On Thursday, the soccer team travels to Rantoul to face the Eagles and back at home again on Friday for a varsity-only match against St. Anne.


Unity loses soccer match, 7-0

In non-conference action on Monday, the Unity soccer team was shut out 7-0 by the Fisher Bunnies. The Rockets travel to Stanford today to take on the Spartans of Olympia high school in another non-league match.


Prep Sports Notebook: Unity top in XC, SJO soccer post another win


Rockets take 4th place at Reed-Custer Lady Comets Classic

BRAIDWOOD -- Unity won one match, tied two, and lost two at the Lady Comets volleyball tournament on Saturday.

The Rockets fell 2-0 to Maroa-Forsyth and De La Salle in close contests. The Trojans prevailed 25-23, 25-14, and the Meteors from Chicago squeaked by UHS, 25-18, 25-20.

The team split sets against Putnam County, losing the first by three, 25-22, and storming back to take the second set, 25-18. Kaitlyn Schweighart, who finished the tournament with 18 kills and 58 digs, and the Rockets also split sets in their confrontation with the Momence volleyball program, 17-25, 25-16.

UHS' only victory on the five-match day was 25-23, 25-11, win over Mendota.

Junior Ruby Tarr had 33 assists and made 22 digs during the tournament. Meanwhile, Jayci McGraww booked 31 assists and five digs, and Julia Ping helped the team's defensive effort collecting 35 digs and nine assists.

The Rockets are back in action two days next week at the Rocket Center. Starting Monday, Tarr & Co. host the Bulldogs of St. Teresa and then play a conference showdown against the Monticello. The Sages are 0-2 in conference play with straight two-set loses to St. Thomas More and Paxton-Buckley-Loda this season.


Spartans one win away from 10th

GEORGETOWN -- The St. Joseph-Ogden soccer team rallied back from a one-goal first-half deficit with two goals to beat Georgetown-Ridge Farm-Westville, 2-1.

The Buffaloes produced the only score in the first half despite numerous opportunities for SJO. A pass from freshman Ryker Lockhart gave Collin Thomey the opportunity to tie the game 1-all in the second half. Later, Lockhart put the ball between the post around the GRFW keeper to give the Spartans the go-ahead goal. Spencer Wilson got credit for the assist for the 9-3-1 Spartans.

Senior Hunter Ketchum and backup keeper Jacek Slowikowski, each guarding the goal for a half, made two saves each.

Luke Barney nailed the first goal of the game for the Buffaloes.


Unity outscored, 2-0

Tolono -- The Rockets' soccer team fell 2-0 to visiting Illinois Valley Central Saturday morning. The Grey Ghosts improved to 1-4 in conference play after scoring a goal in each half of the Illini Prairie Conference match.

Unity (2-13, 0-6) hosts Fisher on Monday at home. Opening kick is slated for 4:30p.


SJO 4th, Unity 9th at cross-country meet

St. Joseph -- St. Joseph-Ogden's Jack Fisher turned in a team-best 16:10.32 finish to help the Spartans finish fourth out of 28 participating teams after running in the 50th installment of the Spartan Classic.

The Rockets, who finished ninth in the team standings, were paced by Brendan Graven. He completed the 3-mile course in 16 minutes and 38.58 seconds Saturday morning. Urbana University High's Pieter Duursma led the Illinek's effort to the finish line, circumventing the course for a 34th overall finish at 16:51.57.

The St. Teresa boys' team won this year's team title with 60 points. El Paso-Gridley finished in second place with 92 points, and third place went to Tuscola with 113 points.


Unity girls when Spartan Classic title

St. Joseph -- The Rockets cross-country team finished first out of 27 teams at this year's Spartan Classic. Uni-High finished in third place with 149 points behind El Paso-Gridley's 97-point second-place effort. Unity's top-five runners finished the 3-mile course under 19 minutes or better for an impressive 38 points.

The St.Joseph-Ogden harriers finished in seventh place in the team standings.

Rockets' Erika Woodard, a junior, won the individual title crossing the finish line first for the ladies with a time of 17:12.28. Senior Kate Ahmari, who led the Illinek program around the course throughout St. Joseph, finished at 17:49.40 in 3rd place overall. The Spartans top runner, sophomore Savanna Franzen, clocked in at 18:02.08 for a 6th place finish overall.


Attention area high school coaches

If you are a coach at Unity, Urbana Uni-High, Urbana High School or St. Joseph-Ogden, send us your box scores, statistical leaders for each game, and other info via email to sports@oursentinel.com or editor@oursentinel.com.


Photo of the Day | September 21, 2022

St. Joseph-Ogden' Aiden Cromwell tries to settle the ball during second half action of St. Joseph-Ogden's road game at Unity. Earlier, Cromwell scored SJO's second goal of the game thanks a nice pass from Spencer Wilson. The Spartans eventually won the conference game 4-0 and improved to 8-2-1 on the season. See more photos from this game.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Prep Sports Notebook: SJO golf, soccer, & volleyball post wins on Tuesday


Cafarelli and Kern medal at IPC golf tournament

St. Joseph-Ogden's Ashten Cafarelli and Jacob Kern were individual medalists at the Illini Prairie Conference golf tournament on Tuesday. Cafarelli shot a 77 for a 5th place overall finish, and Kern turned in his scorecard with 81 strokes to finish 10th.

The Spartan golf team finished in third place by two strokes at Willow Pond with 333 behind Rantoul (332) in second place and conference champions Monticello's 317.

The Spartan six-pack also included Maddux Carter, who finished with 87 strokes and McGwire Atwood with 88. Jack Robertson shot a 105 and James Huisinga rounded out the top-six with 106.


SJO soccer dominates rival Unity

Four players scored goals in St. Joseph-Ogden away soccer match at Unity for a 4-0 Illini Prairie Conference victory.

Despite a solid effort by both teams, Spartans' Jackson Greer punched in the first and only goal on an assist from Collin Thomey in the first half with less than two minutes-15 seconds on the clock.

After the break, SJO came out determined to challenge the Rockets' fitness. After good pushes by both teams, Aiden Cromwell, on a feed from Spenser Wilson, scored. Teammate Ryker Lockhart (assist Logan Mills) extended the Spartans' lead with another goal in the half.

Later with the Spartans up 3-0, sophomore Alex Accosta came in off the bench to score an unassisted strike and put the match out of the Rockets' reach.

The Spartans improve to 8-2-1 on the season.

In the box, Hunter Ketchum fended off six attacks, and Carter Mabry saw action guarding the post making a pair of saves late in the contest.


Momentum shift sinks Rockets

The Unity Rockets were in complete control during the opening set of their home volleyball game against St. Joseph-Ogden on Tuesday. That was until SJO tied the score at 17-all and won eight of the last 11 points for the win, 25-20.

SJO's momentum continued into the second set behind the defensive efforts of junior Addie Roesch, who posted nine digs, and another 10 came from senior Mikyla Haley against Unity.

The Spartans opened the period with an 8-0 run before the Rockets called a timeout to regroup. By the time Unity regained their composure and notched four unanswered points to trail by 13 at 21-8, the hole was too deep to recover. St. Joseph-Ogden closed out the set, 25-10, for the conference win.

Roesch led the team's offensive attack with six kills and two aces. Haley chipped another pair of aces. Meanwhile, Shayne Immke tacked on five kills and contributed another seven digs.

Taylor Hug, who finished with three aces, 14 assists, and seven digs was at the service line for the first eight second-set points for SJO.


St. Joseph-Ogden hands Unity conference shutout

Unity's Nolan Remole challenges St. Joseph-Ogden defender Emily Elsbernd for possession of the ball during the second half of their conference soccer match on Tuesday. The Spartans notched their 8th win of the season after defeating the host Rockets, 4-0. The Spartans play their next match on the road, this time a little further north at St. Thomas More on Thursday.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks


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Prep Sports Notebook: SJO volleyball wins again, Rocket road trip unsuccesful


SJO outlasts visiting Marshall, 50-21

St. Joseph-Ogden's Emma Ward served 16 consecutive points in set 2 of the Spartans' home volleyball match against Marshall on Monday. Ward, who had two aces and four digs, and the SJO squad's offensive firing on all cylinders, stretched a two-point lead to a 17-point advantage.

Addie Roesch led the Spartans' attack with eight kills and three aces. The junior also had five digs. Shayne Immke smashed five kills and Josey Frerichs piled on four more in the 2-0 victory. Peyton Williams was in excellent form notching seven kills and contributing a pair of aces.

The SJO squad, who won the first set 25-13 and the second 25-9, never trailed on the scoreboard in either of the two games.

Taylor Hug contributed 24 assists and chalked up three digs in the non-conference win.


Spartan tennis team schooled at Central

Despite eventually dropping both sets, St. Joseph-Ogden's Abby Dow, Addison Seggebruch, and Jessica Gadbury won two or more games for the Spartan tennis team in their away match against Champaign Central. SJO lost the dual match, 9-0, against the twin city team.

Playing on the #1 court for the Spartans, Dow fell 6-2, 6-0 against Mariclare 0'Gorman, the area's top prep player. Seggebruch won three games in the first set in her singles match against Sarah Su to finish, 6-3, 6-0. Gadbury at #6 singles lost to Savannah Stortzum, 6-2, 6-4.

Champaign Central won all three doubles matches over the Spartans.


Rockets suffer another loss on the road

The Unity soccer team returned to Tolono with a loss after the team's road match at Hoopeston Area on Monday. The Rockets were shutout, 3-0.

Down 2-0 at the half, the Cornjerkers (9-5-1) added a third score with 11 minutes left in the match courtesy of Talan Gredy-Nelson to secure the win.

The Rockets hope to break their losing streak tonight with a win against visiting St. Joseph-Ogden.

Hoopeston Area senior Cameron Zorn scored the first goal of the contest, and Owen Root, a junior, put the second ball between the posts on a pass from Gabe Joneikis. Zorns was credited with the assist on the third strike.

Dylan Judy was the winning keeper, recording just two saves against Unity.


Attention area high school coaches

If you are a coach at Unity, Urbana Uni-High, Urbana High School or St. Joseph-Ogden, send us your box scores, statistical leaders for each game, and other info via email to sports@oursentinel.com or editor@oursentinel.com.


Prep Sports Notebook: Bachert scores for Rockets, SJO soccer notches another victory


Saunders makes 10 saves for Rockets

Unity Keeper Cole Saunders had 10 saves during his team's home match on Saturday against Abington/Avon. Teammate Brendan Bachert scored the team's only goal in the Rockets' 3-1 loss.

Unity plays at home again on Tuesday hosting St. Joseph-Ogden at 4:30p.


Christie Clinic Shootout schedule released today

The St. Joseph-Ogden athletic department released the schedule for the next Christie Clinic Shootout on Saturday, January 7, 2023. Fourteen varsity teams will square off in the main gym starting at 11:00 am. The final game of the day, a matchup between Peoria Notre Dame and the Kays of Kankakee, will tipoff at 8:00 pm.

The Shootout will feature three Illini Prairie Conference programs, with Monticello, Unity, and SJO hitting the hardwood one right after the other starting at 3:30p.

2023 Schedule


11:00 AM - Beecher vs. BHRA
12:30 PM - Addison Trail vs. Champaign Centennial
2:00 PM - Mt. Zion vs. Bloomington
3:30 PM - Newton vs. Monticello
5:00 PM - Normal U-High vs. Unity
6:30 PM - Nashville vs. St. Joseph-Ogden
8:00 PM - Peoria Notre Dame vs. Kankakee

Junior varsity action for all 14 teams will start at 9 am, on Saturday in the high school's practice gym.


Spartans post shutout on Senior Day

The St. Joseph-Ogden soccer team scored two first-half goals and got a third from sophomore Alex Acosta in the second half.

Senior Jackson Greer delivered the first goal of the game courtesy of an assist from Collin Thomey for the Spartans. Thomey added another goal on the scoreboard via a feed from Aiden Cromwell to give SJO a 2-0 lead at the half.

Hunter Ketchum needed to make only six saves, while backup keeper Carter Mabry came in to make a pair of saves of his own in the program's 7th win of the season.

The Spartans honored the accomplishments and contributions of 12 senior players. This senior class includes Olivia Baltzell, Will Childers, Aiden Cromwell, Zach Dahman, Emily Elsbernd, Jackson Greer, Hunter Ketchum, Aaron Lane, Carter Mabry, Teagan Miller, Garrett Siems, and Will Page.


Attention area high school coaches

If you are a coach at Unity, Urbana Uni-High, Urbana High School or St. Joseph-Ogden, send us your box scores, statistical leaders for each game, and other info via email to sports@oursentinel.com or editor@oursentinel.com.


Photo Gallery: Unity soccer suffers loss to GRFC on home pitch

Unity's Mason Davis

Unity's Mason Davis makes a pass down the field around Buffaloes' Ryley Heck in the first half. The Rockets gave up three first-half goals and one in the second to fall 4-0 at home to visiting Georgetown-Ridge Farm-Westville. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Rockets' Brendan Bachert races with the ball down the field

Rockets' Brendan Bachert races with the ball down the field in the first half. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Nolan Wishall settles the ball at midfield

Nolan Wishall settles the ball at midfield for the Rockets. Unity had several opportunities to score but could not get the ball around the keeper to light up the scoreboard. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Unity defender Mary Bryant lines up a pass after intecepting a GRFW pass in the first 90 minutes of the game. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Unity's Caden McCaskill

Unity's Caden McCaskill dribbles around GRFW's Coy Potter. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Gabe Pound heads the ball

Rockets' Gabe Pound heads the ball away from Georgetown-Ridge Farm-Westville's Nathan Blue. Blue, a junior, notched a first-half assist on his team's third goal. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Cole Saunders makes a second half save

Unity keeper Cole Saunders makes a second half save. The junior goalkeeper let all but four balls past him. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Cole Saunders makes another second half save

Goalkeeper Cole Saunders makes another second half save. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Teaguen Williams pushes the ball across the field on a run late in the second half. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Sophomore Nolan Remole battles for control of the ball in the last 30 minutes of the Rockets' match. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Mathew Hollett settles the ball in the second half. Hollett and the Rockets, despite several opportunities, were unable to produce a score in either half. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Unity's Nolan Remole (right) challenges a Georgetown-Ridge Farm player for possession in final minutes of his team's home game. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Unity soccer topples Judah Christian

TOLONO -- For the first time in school history, the Unity soccer team beat one of the area's traditionally top small school programs. The Rockets literally pounded Judah Christian on Thursday via 3-1 decision.

Junior Gabe Pound delivered a hattrick, scoring one goal in the first 90 minute period on a feed from Brendan Bachert to give the Rockets a 1-0 lead at the break. After the Tribe's Okeke tied the game at 1-all in the second period, Pound found the net again with an unassisted score and later booted his third one in on a pass from Mason Davis for the hattrick.

Cole Saunders made four saves for the Unity.

The Rockets start a two-match home stand on Monday, hosting Georgetown-Ridge Farm-Chrisman at 4:30p. Twenty-four hours later, coach Michel Stringer's and his squad play their first Illini Prairie match with Bloomington Central Catholic.

Prep Sports Notebook: SJO soccer, volleyball notch wins


Spartans roll over Lady Shoes

Shayne Immke goes up to block for SJO

St. Joseph-Ogden's Shayne Immke goes up to block a kill attempt by Teutopolis' Molly Pals. The senior outside hitter put away six kills and chalked up four aces in the Spartans' 2-0 win (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

ST. JOSEPH -- The St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball team evened-out their season-record on Thursday after defeating the visiting Lady Shoes of Teutopolis, 2-0. The Spartans, now 3-3, got six kills each from senior Shayne Immke and junior Addie Roesch.

After a few miscues at the start and Immke at the service line, SJO grinded out a five-point run to go up 7-3 in the first set. Their opponent later answered a five-point rally of their own to pull within a score 11-10 before the momentum shifted back to the Spartans's favor for the remainder of the game. Head coach Abby McDonald's team closed out the opening set with six consecutive points for a 25-16 win.

The Spartans' won the second set by an even wider margin, 25-12. The Lady Shoes called a timeout while nursing a 5-point deficit on the score board, 11-6. When the two teams returned to the floor, SJO took total control of the contest giving up just six points out of the last 20 exchanges.

Setter Taylor Hug tallied up 18 assists, and hammered an ace in the first set. Roesch led the team with five digs defensively. Meanwhile, Immke's four aces led the team's offensive effort.


Unity suffers soccer loss on the road

MACON -- Unity goal keeper Cole Saunders made four saves during his team's road match at Meridian High School. After an unassisted score from Hawks in the first half, the Rockets were unable to respond.


Dow celebrates Senior Day with a win

URBANA -- St. Joseph-Ogden senior Abbey Dow picked up a win at #1 doubles with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Watseka's Emma Simmons. She and five other seniors were honored at the tennis team's final home match of the season.

In doubles action, two other SJO seniors pulled out wins. Duo Hallie Harms and Katie Earley defeated Warriors' Annika Greene and Marisa Clarke on the #3 court, 6-2, 7-6.

The team's six senior members include Dow, Earley, Harms, Jessica Gadbury, Isabel Sexton, and Katie McDermott.


Cafarelli shoots a 40

RANTOUL -- Spartans' Ashten Cafarelli carded 40 strokes on the back nine holes at Willow Pond golf course, but it wasn't enough as the St. Joseph-Ogden golf team finished in third place in a three-team meet in Rantoul.

Monticello, with three players turning in scores lower than Cafarelli's, won the day with a 159. Rantoul slipped by SJO with a six-man score of 173.

Maddux Carter (43), Jacob Kern (45), McGwire Atwood (49), Jack Robertson (51), and Tyler Buss (51) rounded out the Spartans' top six players on Thursday who counted 177 strokes.


Lockhart scores game winner

ST. JOSEPH -- Freshman forward Ryker Lockhart second-half shot on the Hoopeston Area (3-2) goal found the back of the net to give St. Joseph-Ogden (3-1-1) their third win of the season. Hunter Ketchum, a senior, had 12 saves in the keeper position in the 1-0 thriller.

Cornjerker goalie Owen Root fended off eight solid attacks from SJO including one on a penalty kick.


Rockets' volleyball squad sweeps Tuscola

TOLONO -- The Unity volleyball team defeated visiting Tuscola in straight sets 25-21, 25-20.


Attention area high school coaches

Haven't seen the latest news or result about your program on OurSentinel.com? If you are a coach at Unity, Urbana Uni-High, Urbana High School or St. Joseph-Ogden, send us your box scores, statistical leaders for each game, and other info is via email to sports@oursentinel.com or editor@oursentinel.com.

Prep Sports Notebook for last week of August 2022


SJO golf team improves to 7-0

Photo provided by Lori Kern

The St. Joseph-Ogden golf team preserved their unbeaten dual match record unblemished after cruising by the Danville Vikings by 33 strokes to a 170-203 finish on Wednesday.

Spartan Jacob Kern led the field, turning in a 38 on the front nine at Turtle Run in Danville. Teammate Ashten Cafarelli turned in the next best score on the course with a 43. McGwire Atwood finished one stroke behind Caferelli with 44.

The Vikings were led by Colin Lomex's 46 strokes and Cale Osborn's 48-stroke finish.

The Spartans are back on the links later today at Willow Pond in Rantoul to face the Monticello Sages.


Match results:
St. Joseph-Ogden: Jacob Kern – 38, Ashten Cafarelli – 43, McGwire Atwood – 44, Maddux Carter – 45, Jack Robertson – 52, Connor Hale – 52. Team total: 170

Danville: Colin Lomex – 46, Cale Osborn – 48, Ryan Jaruseki - 52, Jordy Martinez - 57, Zach Spencer – 59


Rockets fall in second match of the season

The Unity soccer team suffered their first shutout of the season last Saturday with 7-0 loss to Argenta-Oreana. The Rockets looked to improve their 1-1 record in their next contest at Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond on the following Monday.

The 2022 squad will be back on their home pitch on Monday, September 5, against Warrensburg-Latham and again September 8 against Judah Christian.


Spartan volleyball falls at Mahomet

Despite Shayne Immke nine match-kills, the St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball fell 2-0 to Mahomet-Seymour. SJO dropped both sets 25-22 in the non-conference road match.

Addie Roesch served-up three aces and contributed another four kills to the Spartan cause. Taylor Hug logged 14 assists and six digs. Mikayla Haley led the defensive effort with seven digs.

Immke also leveled five digs and three blocks during the evening. She and the SJO squad host Teutopolis this evening in the main gym at St. Joseph-Ogden High School.


Williams rains kills on St. Teresa

Payton Williams tallied ten kills in Monday's home volleyball match against St. Teresa.

Senior Taylor Hug led the team's serving attack with a pair aces. She scattered 18 assists as well as played a key roll in SJO's defensive effort with six digs.

Fellow senior Shayne Immke pummeled the Bulldogs with seven kills. Mikyla Haley contributed on ace and had eight digs across two sets.


Mabry sees action in the box

Carter Mabry recorded three saves at goalie in St. Joseph-Ogden's road soccer match at Schlarman Academy on Monday.

Jackson Greer scored two first-half goals after an earlier shot by Ryker Lockhart to put the Spartans up 3-0 before the mid-game break.

SJO kept the foot on the peddle, finding the net two more times with scores from Collin Thomey and then one from Logan Mills.

Starting keeper Hunter Ketchum recored four saves in the non-conference match as the Spartans improve to 2-1-1 on the season.

Five players, including Alex Acosta, Logan Mills, Spencer Wilson, Aiden Cromwell,and Will Childers, were credited with assists.


Thurman/Earley duo get tennis win at doubles

Teaming up at #3 doubles, Emma Thurman and Katie Earley earned St. Joseph-Ogden's only win at Monday's home match against Gibson-City-Melvin-Sibley.

After dropping her first set 6-2, McKennah Hamilton forced a third-set tiebreak after rallying back to win her second set, 6-4. She nearly pulled out a victory at #5 singles, falling in a 10-8 decision to her Lady Falcon's Kadence Crowley.

Meanwhile, one court over, SJO's Izzy Sexton battled tenaciously against GCMS' McKenna Crowley. Unable to get the breaks she needed fell in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.

Before starting their last home match of the season, the St. Joseph-Ogden girls tennis team will celebrate Senior Night at Atkins Tennis Center before taking on the visiting Warriors of Watseka High School.


Unity volleyball loses tough 3-setter on the road

After dropping the first set 25-14, the Unity volleyball team rallied back to take the second 26-24 on the road against Champaign Central. The Rockets fell in a hard-fought third set, 25-22.

Unity will try and rebound from the non-conference loss hosting Tuscola tonight starting with the freshman match at 5pm and the varsity main event after the JV match-up at 6p.



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Editor's Note .::.
9/2/22 - The brief "Spartan volleyball team slide by Bulldogs" - now Spartan volleyball falls at Mahomet - has been corrected. The Sentinel originally reported the Spartans prevailed in the road match 2-0, when in fact they lost in two sets.

Photo-of-the-Day: January 25, 2022

St. Joseph-Ogden's Logan Ingram and Unity's Will Thompson

ST. JOSEPH -- St. Joseph-Ogden's Logan Ingram and Unity's Will Thompson battle for ball possession during their Illini Prairie Conference game on March 27, 2021. Nearly ten months ago the Spartans prevailed 4-1 over the rival Rockets. Normally played in the fall, the Coronavirus pandemic forced high school sports to be played on a shortened spring schedule. SJO went on to finish the modified season with 4 wins and 8 losses. See more photos from this game here.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Prep Sports Notebook for September 23


Unity continues to roll
The Unity volleyball team picked up win number 15 after a 2-0 win over visiting Paxton-Buckley-Loda. Emma Bleecher had eight kills and seven digs while teammate Payton Kaiser added another six kills and four digs in the 25-22, 25-15 conference victory.



Chemla score four goals
Teo Chemla scored his first of four goals for University High within the first minute of his team's 8-1 road win against Judah Christian. The junior found the net again 10 minutes later to give the Illineks a 3-0 lead. Later, in a two-minute span, he added goals #3 and #4 starting at the 39-minute mark.

Noah La Nave produced a hat trick on passes from Arya Thirodira, Chemla, and Benji Chang.

Senior Ryland Graham, on an assist from Lawrence Zhao, scored the team's final goal of the match in the second half.



Roesch pounds nine kills
Shaking off Tuesday's conference loss to Unity, the St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball team bounced back to beat Pontiac on the road 25-16, 25-12.

Addie Roesch put away nine kills and Kennedi Burnett added another six to the stat book. Becca Steinbach was credited with 23 assists. Senior Hannah Fox led defensively with 10 digs.

The Spartans are back on the court on Monday at Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley for another non-conference test.



Hoopeston Area knocked off Oakwood-Salt Fork for a 3-1 conference win. The Cornjerkers improved to 9-0 in conference play and 13-4-1 overall.

After OSF's Carlie Thompson scored the first, and his team's only goal on an assist from Saul Carrillo, Hoopeston's Kayden Wallace, Ben Brown, and Isias Diaz scored one goal each.



Unity soccer shutout
The Rockets dropped their Illini Prairie Conference match against Rantoul, 7-0. The Rockets, still looking for their first win this season, will play their next two contest away.

The two-match road campaign starts with a trip to Illinois Valley Central on Saturday for another conference match against the Grey Ghost. Then on Monday, the team plays at Fisher.



Prep Sports Notebook: 3 Spartans commit, Urbana volleyball loses non-conference match at home


Three Spartan basketball players commit
Back in August, St. Joseph-Ogden basketball standout Taylor Wells announced her plans to continue her academic and athletic career at Mount Mercy University. The senior, who is making waves with the Spartan volleyball team this fall, joined the basketball program at the private institution of about 1,488 students.

The Mustangs are members of the Heart of America Athletic Conference and have made NAIA national tournament appearances six times since 1991. In the previous season from November through February during the Coronavirus pandemic, the program played 20 games and finished 7-13 overall.

On September 12, teammate Payton Jacobs announced on Twitter that she will pursue her dream to play college basketball at Illinois Wesleyan University. She is no stranger to the Shirk Center or the Bloomington-Normal area where she has played basketball at the State Farm Holiday Classic.

Late last week, a third Spartan announced a verbal commitment continue their basketball career. Senior Ella Armstrong join the Truman State University program in 2022. Located in Kirksville, Mo.. The Bulldogs finished the 2020-2021 season with a record of 17 wins and 5 losses. The Bulldogs are members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference.



Ben Brown delivers hat trick
Ben Brown scored three times in Hoopeston Area's home match against Unity. The senior was also credited with a pair of assists in the 8-0 shutout.



Spartans defeat Tigers, 2-0
The St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball team rolled past Urbana High School on the road in two sets, 25-11, 25-12.

Senior Kennedi Burnett led the offense with nine kills. Shayne Immke delivered another six while Ashley Eldridge contributed another five kills. Becca Steinbach was credited with 24 assist, seven digs and a pair of aces.

The Spartans host the Unity Rockets in what is expected to be a dramatic match between the two conference frontrunners.



SJO's Armstrong commits
St. Joseph-Ogden shooting guard Ella Armstrong announced her verbal commitment continue her basketball career at Truman State University located in Kirksville, Mo..

The Bulldogs finished their previous season 17-5 and are members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference.



Prep Sports Notebook: Burnett tallies 4 aces, Urbana tennis nips Watseka


SJO's Kern, Carter top two at golf
In a triangle match with Tri-Valley and Fisher, the SJO golf team finished in first place with 180 points after the nine-hole competition at Indian Springs in Saybrook.

Jacob Kern shot a match-best of 40 strokes to lead the field on Thursday. Maddux Carter finished in second place with a 43 on the par-36 course.

McGwire Atwood (46), Logan Smith (51), Jack Robertson (50) and Andrew Beyers (64) contributed to the Spartans' ninth win of the season.



Uni-High blanks Arthur Christian
Teo Chemla collected a hattrick to help the Illineks roll over the Conquering Raiders, 7-1. The junior standout was also credited with two assists.

Uni-High scored five goals in the first half. Luca Zepeda-Flores, Henry Wang and Arya Thirodira put the ball between the posts along with Chemla's first two in the first 45 minute period. Noah La Nave (2 assists) added another goal at the 51-minute mark before the final score by Chemla.

Uni keeper Arjun Kala made six saves.



St. Joseph-Ogden tennis falls at Centennial, 9-0
The Spartan tennis team dropped all nine matches on the road against Champaign Centennial on Thursday. Doubles duo Hope Rajlich and Kelsey Martlage made a valiant effort for SJO at number one doubles against the Chargers' Sandhya Subbiah and Grace Kahler. Katie McDermott and Emma Rydell also made a strong showing for the Spartans at number three doubles.

Box Score:

Singles:
No. 1 - Sandhya Subbiah, CENTENNIAL def. Abbey Dow, SJO, 8-1
No. 2 - Anna Park, CENTENNIAL def. Claire Huffman, SJO, 8-1
No. 3 - Grace Kahler, CENTENNIAL def. Grace Schmitz, SJO, 8-1
No. 4 - Yehyun Nam, CENTENNIAL def. Ashlyn Lannert, SJO, 8-1
No. 5 - Aastha Patel, CENTENNIAL def. Allison Kearney, SJO, 8-4
No. 6 - Sofia Hartmann, CENTENNIAL def. Ella Armstrong, SJO, 8-6

Doubles:
No. 1 - Sandhya Subbiah/Grace Kahler, CENTENNIAL def. Hope Rajlich/Kelsey Martlage, SJO, 8-4
No. 2 - Yehyun Nam/Anna Park, CENTENNIAL def. Jacey Lewis/Abby Behrens, SJO, 8-2
No. 3 - Kayleigh Cox/Tammy Marinichev, CENTENNIAL def. Katie McDermott/Emma Rydell, SJO, 8-5



Spartans rebound from loss
After dropping a dramatic three-setter to visiting Champaign Central 2-1 on Tuesday evening, the St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball team cruised past the Oakwood volleyball team, 25-7, 25-6 on Wednesday evening.

Addie Roesch led the Spartan attack with eight kills. Senior Kennedi Burnett pounded four aces and seven kills against the visiting Comets.

SJO got 10 digs from senior Hannah Fox. Burnett was also credited with 10 digs, Roesch with two, and setter Becca Steinbach, who had 18 assists, tallied six digs.

The Spartans host Hoopeston Area on Monday, and Danville High School on Wednesday next week.



Brown scores five goals for Cornjerkers
Hoopeston Area senior Ben Brown scored all five goals in his team's 5-0 shutout against Bismarck-Henning.

Hoopeston hosts the Conrnjerker Classic featuring teams from Monticello, Iroquois West, Grant Park, Bloomington Central Catholic, Oakwood-Salt Fork, and St. Joseph-Ogden. The championship and third-place games will start at 4:00p on Saturday.



Unity soccer team suffers Labor Day loss
The Urbana girls tennis team picked up another team win on the road at Watseka yesterday after a 6-3 decision.

Matika Pounginjai, Alisa Tangmunarunkit, Eisla Madigan, and Ashton Peters won their varsity singles matches against the Warriors' top players.

Box Score:

Singles:
No. 1 - Ashton Peters, WATSEKA def. Myra Stevens, URBANA, 8-3
No. 2 - Jacie Owens, URBANA def. Emma Simons, WATSEKA, 8-5
No. 3 - Eisla Madigan, URBANA def. Baler Rigsby, WATSEKA, 9-7
No. 4 - Ava Swartz, WATSEKA def. Hannah Null, URBANA, 8-6
No. 5 - Alisa Tangmunarunkit, URBANA def. Moriah Pueschell, WATSEKA, 8-2
No. 6 - Matika Pounginjai, URBANA def. Tiffany Zhao, WATSEKA, 8-1
Doubles: No. 1 - Hannah Null/Jacie Owens, URBANA def. Ashton Peters/Baler Rigsby, WATSEKA, 8-4
No. 2 - Emma Simons/Ava Swartz, WATSEKA def. Eisla Madigan/Myra Stevens, URBANA, 9-8 (5)
No. 3 - Alisa Tangmunarunkit/Matika Pounginjai, URBANA def. Moriah Pueschell/Tiffany Zhao, WATSEKA, 8-4



Unity falls to Judah Christian
The Unity soccer team fell 8-2 on the road to Judah Christian on Thursday.

Nolan Romole and Teaguen Williams scored one goal each, but it was enough to hold off the Lions, who scored six unanswered goals in the second half of the non-conference contest.



Prep Sports Notebook: SJO volleyball cruises past T-Town, Uni knocks off Sages


Romole scores twice in first half
Nolan Romle scored two of Unity's four goals in their home soccer match against Meridian on Thursday. The freshman's two scores, bookending a strike from Gabe Pound, gave the Rockets a 3-all tie leading heading into halftime.

Later, Meridian striker Spencer Uphoff broke the tie with an unassisted goal in the second half, but the Rockets refused to lie down thanks to junior Andrew Mowrer notching a penalty kick to retie the score, this time at four goals apiece.

With his first goal already under his belt in the first half, Hawks Micah McCoy scored the game-winning goal handing Unity a 5-4 loss.

Mason Davis made 13 saves on the day for the Rockets.

Still looking for their first win of the season, Unity (0-4) will play their next game, the team's first road match, on Monday, September 6 at Warrensburg-Latham. Romole and Rockets then travel to Champaign to face the Tribe of Judah Christian on Thursday.


Box Score -

First half: Meridian Egbert(Boehm), McCoy(UA), Unity Remole(Pound), Pound(UA), Meridian Boehn(UA), Unity Remole(UA)

Second half:Meridian Uphoff(UA), Unity Mowrer(PK), Meridian McCoy(UA)



Thomey buries two goals
When the bout was said and done, both the St. Joseph-Ogden soccer team and Hoopeston area would part ways with the identical season records of 4-1-1. Staring at recording their second loss of the season at the end of the first half, St. Joseph-Ogden bounced back to win their second road match of the season handing the Cornjerkers their first loss by way of a 3-1 advantage.

Hoopeston's Harrison Wood gave his team the early lead and their only goal of the contest despite 19 other attempts from his teammates. Teammate and goaltender Owen Root (6 saves) kept the ball out of his net during the first half play, but would later let three second-half Spartan shots slip by him in the final half.

SJO senior Jared Emmert earned his first of two assists feeding the ball to junior Aiden Cromwell to tie the game at one goal each. Emmert then set up the go-ahead score with a pass to Colin Thomey. Thomey, a freshman, sealed the victory with a follow-up goal with the help of Owen Baltzell.

Hunter Ketchum made 18 saves guarding the Spartan goal.

The St. Joseph-Ogden soccer team returns to the pitch on Monday, September 6 at Bismarck-Henning. Hoopeston Area visits St. Anne today and plays another road match, this one close to home, at Schlarman on Tuesday, September 7.


Box Score -

First half: Hoopeston Woods

Second Half: SJO Cromwell (Emmert), SJO Thomey (Emmert), SJO Thomey (Baltzell)



Urbana's Jacie Owens lines up a shot over the net during the Tiger's home match against St. Joseph-Ogden last month. In Thursday's home match against visiting Centennial, Owens came up short in her battle against Anna Park. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Tigers fall at home
After avenging an earlier loss to St. Joseph-Ogden on Tuesday, the Urbana girls tennis team dropped their next home match to Centennial on Thursday, 8-1.

The Tigers' solo win came at #4 singles from Alisa Tangmunarunkit, who defeated the Chargers' Nicole Vozovoy, 8-4.

Next up, Tangmunarunkit and her teammates will host the St. Thomas More tennis team on Tuesday at 4pm.


Box Score -

Singles:
No. 1 - Sandhya Subbiah, CENTENNIAL def. Myra Stevens, URBANA, 8-3
No. 2 - Anna Park, CENTENNIAL def. Jacie Owens, URBANA, 8-4
No. 3 - Grace Kahler, CENTENNIAL def. Eisla Madigan, URBANA, 8-2
No. 4 - Alisa Tangmunarunkit, URBANA def. Nicole Vozovoy, CENTENNIAL, 8-4
No. 5 - Yehyun Nam, CENTENNIAL def. Matika Pounginjai, URBANA, 8-1
No. 6 - Aastha Patel, CENTENNIAL def. Grace Coady, URBANA, 8-2 Doubles:
No. 1 - Sandhya Subbiah/Anna Park, CENTENNIAL def. Jacie Owens/Myra Stevens, URBANA, 8-2
No. 2 - Grace Kahler/Yehyun Nam, CENTENNIAL def. Alisa Tangmunarunkit, /Matika Pounginjai, URBANA, 8-2
No. 3 - Nicole Vozovoy/Aastha Patel, CENTENNIAL def. Zoe Johnson/Grace Coady, URBANA, 8-0



SJO golf finishes second at triangle
Jacob Kern, McGwire Atwood, Maddux Carter and Logan Smith combined for a four-man total of 181 strokes leading the St. Joseph-Ogden (7-1) golf team to a second-place finish in a three-school competition between Monticello and Rantoul-Paxton-Buckley-Loda varsity golf contingents.

Monticello finished first with 160 and Rantoul in third with 190 strokes.

Kern led the Spartans with 46 strokes on the Par 36 back nine at Willowbrook Golf Course. Atwood finished one stroke behind him with 47. Carter and Smith rounded out the top four scores with 43 and 45 respectively. Jack Robertson finished the course with 51 strokes and Talan Miller with 57.

SJO's Connor Hale shot a 59 and Tyler Buss 56 as varsity extras on Thursday.



St. Joseph-Ogden's Kelsey Martlage puts the ball back over the net during the Spartans' road match at Urbana on August 31. After winning that match, Martlage with partner Hope Rajlich defeated Watseka's Ashton Peters/Baler Rigsby 8-2 on Thursday.(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


Dow notches four straight wins
After a win-less first season in 2020, the St. Joseph-Ogden tennis program picked up its third team victory after rolling over Watseka on the road, 7-2.

SJO dusted up the doubles courts taking all three matches and picked up four wins in singles to improve their team record to 3-2 on the season.

Abbey Dow picked up another win at #1 singles besting the Warriors' Ashton Peters, 8-4. The Spartan now boasts four straight wins in singles competition.


Box Score -

Singles:
No. 1 - Abbey Dow, SJO def. Ashton Peters, WATSEKA, 8-4
No. 2 - Emma Simons, WATSEKA def. Allison Kearney, SJO, 8-6
No. 3 - Ava Swartz, WATSEKA, def. Ashlyn Lannert, SJO, 8-4
No. 4 - Claire Huffman, SJO def. Moriah Pueschell, WATSEKA, 8-1
No. 5 - Grace Schmitz, SJO def. Sarah Parsons, WATSEKA, 8-4
No. 6 - Olivia Getty, SJO def. Tiffany Zhao, WATSEKA, 8-6

Doubles:
No. 1 - Hope Rajlich/Kelsey Martlage, SJO def. Ashton Peters/Baler Rigsby, WATSEKA, 8-2
No. 2 - Abby Behrens/Jacey Lewis, SJO def. Emma Simons/Ava Swartz, WATSEKA, 8-6
No. 3 - Katie McDermott/Emma Rydell, SJO def. Moriah Pueschell/Sarah Parsons, WATSEKA, 8-4



Uni outlasts Monticello
Arjun Kala had six saves in Uni-High's 3-2 win over Monticello at home on Thursday.

Noah La Nave had a hand ... er, leg in all three Illinek scores with his first coming via a pass from junior Teo Chemla 13 minutes after Monticello scored their first goal of the game.

Early in the second half, La Nave delivered a righteous pass for Arya Thirodira to sink the go-ahead score. The lead was short-lived as Monticello scored on a penalty kick near the halfway mark in the final half to tie the affair at two-all.

La Nave and Chemla teamed up again for the game-winner 70 minutes into the match for the final goal of the non-conference dual.

Box Score -

First half: Monticello, Noah La Nave (Teo Chemla)

Second Half: Arya Thirodira (Noah La Nave), Monticello, Noah La Nave (Teo Chemla)



SJO volleyball remains unbeaten
The SJO volleyball squad improved to 6-0 on the season after powering past visiting Teutopolis 25-20, 25-10 at home, originally scheduled to be played in T-town, on Thursday.

Becca Steinbach tallied 12 assists and senior Hannah Fox stood out defensively with seven digs on the Spartans home court.

Kennedi Burnett delivered five aces and pounded six kills in the rout. The veteran senior also had six digs.

Next week, the St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball team hosts Champaign Central on Tuesday, September 7, and Oakwood a day later on September 8.




Photos this week


The St. Joseph-Ogden soccer team hosted Oakwood-Salt Fork in their home season opener on Monday. After a strong start, the Spartans fell after a strong second-half rally by the Comets, falling 5-1. Here are 33 photos from the game.