The Sentinel

Hess’ hat trick powers SJO past Oakwood in season opener

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.

St. Joseph-Ogden soccer's Steven Newman in 2024

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

Spartans struggle in 2-0 non-league loss at Maroa-Forsyth

St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball drops first match of the season 25-13, 25-17. Emma McKinney leads with six digs. Home opener vs. Mahomet-Seymour on Sept. 2.

Maroa - The St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball team fell 2-0 to the Maroa-Forsyth in a non-league matchup Monday, struggling offensively in a 64-minute contest.

The Spartans, playing in Maroa, dropped the first set 25-13 and the second 25-17. St. Joseph-Ogden managed just four kills in its season opener, with contributions from Addi Childers, Ally Schmitz, Vivian Smith, and Emerson Williams.

St. Joseph-Ogden's Ally Schmitz passes the ball to the front row

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

SJO's Ally Schmitz passes the ball to the front row during last season's home match against Casey-Westfield. Schmitz moves into a leadership role this season as one of five seniors on the Spartans' varsity roster.

Emma McKinney paced the Spartans defensively with six digs, while Emerson Williams and Hadley McDonald added five apiece. Alivia Learned contributed the team’s only ace of the match.

SJO enters the season with a young roster, featuring just five seniors. Team leaders this season include Adelyn Childers, Katie Ericksen, Emma McKinney, Ally Schmitz, and Emma Wells, supported by seven juniors and five sophomores.

Despite Monday’s setback, the Spartans are looking to improve on last year’s campaign. The 2024-25 team finished with a 16-19 overall record and just two Illini Prairie Conference wins, placing eighth in the league.

St. Joseph-Ogden will look to rebound Thursday, August 28, in a non-league contest against the Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin Blue Devils, who also opened the season 0-1 following a 2-0 loss to SJO rival Unity. The Spartans’ home court opener is set for Tuesday, September 2, against defending Class 3A state champion Mahomet-Seymour.

Maroa-Forsyth, now 1-0, prepares for its next match against Sullivan, which enters its non-league contest with a 1-0 record following a 2-0 win over Meridian.

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