St. Joseph-Ogden soccer dominates Meridian to repeat as Bomber Classic champs

St. Joseph-Ogden captured its second consecutive Bomber Classic title with a 7-0 win over Meridian, improving to 9-0 this season.

St. Joseph-Ogden's Lucas Stevens

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

Harper, Cler shine as St. Joseph-Ogden soccer stays perfect at 12-0

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

Spartans top Illineks for first time in program history

Historic win: SJO Spartans beat University High 5-3, led by Hess, Harper, and Stevens.

Zach Harper tries to steal the ball from Aldo Zepeda

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.

Lucas Stevens heads the ball in for a SJO goal — 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

Spartans blank Rockets 7-0, pushing season record to 17-0

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.

The Sentinel's Illini Prairie Conference sports coverage

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)

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St. Joseph-Ogden Athletics | Unity Athletics | Illini Prairie Sports

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

Despite earlier milestones, Spartans soccer season ends with loss to Pioneers

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Exhausted and heartbroken, junior Zach Harper (standing) and senior Logan Mills take a moment to regain their composure after Spartans' season-ending loss to Normal U-High at the Monticello Sectional on Saturday.

MONTICELLO - St. Joseph-Ogden’s remarkable soccer season came to a close on Saturday as they fell 6-0 to Normal University High School in the sectional semifinal at Monticello’s soccer complex. The Spartans, who had been dominant throughout the season, were held scoreless for the first time all year in a tough matchup against the defending Class 1A state runner-up.

The loss marked only the Spartans' third defeat of the season, finishing with a 22-3-1 record. Despite the disappointment, SJO can look back on a historic campaign, having scored 172 goals this season, more than any other team in Illinois High School Association (IHSA) history, regardless of class. The Spartans also set a program record with 22 wins, showcasing the team’s growth and offensive prowess.

Coming into the sectional semifinal on the back of a five-game winning streak, where they outscored opponents 45-5, the Spartans had every reason to be confident. However, U-High’s precision and disciplined play proved too much to handle. The Pioneers, now 21-5-1, displayed their experience and senior leadership, especially in the first half, where they quickly established control of the match by scoring four goals.

U-High’s defense was equally impressive. Known for their tight formations and tactical discipline, the Pioneers managed to stifle SJO’s high-powered offense throughout the game. The Spartans, who had averaged nine goals per match in their previous five games, struggled to create meaningful chances. Normal’s defense consistently denied the Spartans any scoring opportunities, particularly during the first 28 minutes of the second half when SJO was desperately searching for a breakthrough.

The Spartans’ best opportunity came late in the match when Zach Harper broke free of U-High’s defensive line with just over five minutes left. Harper’s one-on-one chance against Pioneer goalkeeper Noah Grieshaber could have ended SJO’s scoring drought, but Grieshaber came up with a crucial stop, preserving the shutout and sealing the Pioneers’ victory.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Logan Mills tries to dribble the ball around Normal University's Bryce Nicolas-Penn (right) and Connor Evans during the first half.

Normal U-High’s balanced performance, marked by precise passing and organized teamwork, propelled them into the sectional final. They will face Fisher-GCMS (20-3-1) on Tuesday in what promises to be a highly competitive match.

For St. Joseph-Ogden, Saturday’s defeat brought an end to a memorable season. Led by seniors like Alexis Acosta Reyes, Carter Turner, and Logan Mills, the Spartans will be remembered for their record-breaking offensive achievements and their resilience throughout the year. In head coach Chris Stevens’ second term, the Spartans compiled an impressive 36-11-1 record over two seasons, cementing their status as one of the top programs in Class 1A.

As the Spartans reflect on a year filled with highlights, including three more wins than any previous team in program history, the foundation is in place for a successful campaign in 2025. With underclassmen like Harper and sophomore goalkeeper Jaxson Colvin set to return next season, the future remains bright for St. Joseph-Ogden soccer.

This year's team seniors included Alexis Acosta Reyes, Carson Sharp, Carter Turner, Davin Alvarez, Eli Birt, Logan Mills, Logan Patton, and Will Besson. Juniors on the squad included Branson Pearman, Rudra Chaudhary, Chris Coffey, Cooper Kietzman, Quinn Stahl, and Zach Harper. Jaxson Colvin, Nicholas Harris, Skyler Graham, Steven Newman, Tyler Hess, Waylon Jones, and Yadiel Acosta Reyes made up the sophomore class, with Hunter Cler as the only freshman on this year's varsity squad.

Stevens was assisted this season by Dan Ahart and Marcus Harris.

Keywords: St. Joseph-Ogden soccer sectional semifinal, SJO vs Normal U-High soccer playoff Illinois high school soccer Class 1A, Normal University High soccer win over SJO, IHSA soccer playoff results 2023, SJO soccer record-breaking season

St. Joseph-Ogden dominates again! Spartan soccer team wins first regional title in 12 years

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Zach Harper sets up a pass in St. Joseph-Ogden's home match against Central Catholic on October 1. Harper led the Spartans with another hat trick in their long awaited - and expected - regional title.

ST. ANNE - St. Joseph-Ogden captured its first regional soccer title in over a decade with a commanding 7-2 victory over Watseka on Wednesday, clinching the St. Anne Regional Championship. The Spartans, who hadn’t tasted postseason success since 2012, are in the midst of a remarkable season, improving their record to 22-2-1 and extending their current win streak to 15 games.

The Spartans displayed their balanced offensive attack once again, led by Zach Harper, who scored a hat trick and added an assist. Harper’s relentless playmaking has been a cornerstone of St. Joseph-Ogden’s dominance this season, and his performance against Watseka proved vital. Yadi Acosta contributed two goals to the Spartans' cause, while Alex Acosta and Tyler Hess each added a goal, with Hess also registering an assist. Logan Mills played the role of facilitator with two assists, and goalkeeper Jaxson Colvin made seven saves on nine shots to anchor the defense.

Despite Watseka's spirited effort in the first half, which saw them score two goals, the Spartans carried a 3-2 lead into halftime. St. Joseph-Ogden’s ability to control possession and create opportunities through its well-organized midfield and clinical finishing proved too much for Watseka to handle. The second half was all Spartans, as they rattled off four unanswered goals to seal the victory.

Tyler Hess attacks the Central Catholic goal looking for a solo shot or open teammate to send the ball. Hess, who is a quiet force behind SJO's dominant offense, scored one goal and notched an assist in his team's first regional title in 12 years.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Watseka, who struggled against St. Joseph-Ogden in their previous meeting earlier this month—an 8-0 shutout—fought valiantly to stay within striking distance in the first half. However, they were ultimately overwhelmed by the Spartans’ tactical adjustments and superior depth. Wednesday’s match marked St. Joseph-Ogden’s 15th consecutive win, a streak bolstered by 14 shutouts throughout the season.

As the final whistle blew, the Spartans celebrated their long-awaited regional title, a moment that seemed increasingly likely as they breezed through the Illini Prairie Conference without dropping a match. Now, with a regional championship under their belts, St. Joseph-Ogden turns its attention to the Monticello Class 1A sectional semifinals, where they will face a formidable opponent in Normal University.

The Spartans' upcoming match against Normal University will be a significant test. The Pioneers, with a 20-5-1 record, finished the regular season with an undefeated 7-0-1 mark in the highly competitive Central State Eight Conference. They boast wins over Sacred Heart Griffin, Quincy Notre Dame, and all five Big Twelve Conference schools on their schedule. Known for their defensive discipline and midfield control, Normal University will pose a unique challenge for St. Joseph-Ogden, whose high-powered offense has made quick work of most opponents this season.

Saturday’s clash at noon will not only test St. Joseph-Ogden’s ability to maintain their scoring prowess but also how they manage against a team with the caliber of Normal University’s defense. While the Spartans have largely been dominant, outscoring opponents by wide margins, Normal University’s balanced approach could force them to adapt their strategy. The Spartans' success may hinge on their ability to break down a defense that has held its own against some of the state’s top programs.

Steven Newman keeps the ball away from two Blue Ridge players during SJO's home match on September 16. Newman, a sophomore, and the Spartans made quick work of the Knights in the 9-0 shutout.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

With the Spartans riding high on confidence and momentum, the stage is set for an intense matchup that could determine the trajectory of St. Joseph-Ogden’s playoff run. As they seek their first sectional title since their 2012 campaign, the Spartans will need to rely on the consistency and leadership of players like Harper, the Acosta brothers, and Hess, who have been key contributors throughout the season.

For a team that has consistently found the back of the net and controlled matches with superior tactics, St. Joseph-Ogden’s success against Normal University will likely depend on whether they can replicate the offensive precision that has been their hallmark. If they continue to perform at this level, the Spartans could very well extend their remarkable season even further.

St. Joseph-Ogden’s triumph over Watseka represents not only the end of a long postseason drought but also the beginning of a promising path deeper into the playoffs. With a talented roster and a winning mentality, the Spartans look poised to make a serious run at a state title.

Keywords: St. Joseph-Ogden soccer regional championship, SJO vs Watseka soccer, Illinois Class 1A sectional soccer, St. Joseph-Ogden high school soccer, Normal University vs SJO soccer playoff

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

Jackson Greer does it all, SJO rolls over Rantoul

RANTOUL -- It not very often you see a soccer player score a goal or two, get credit for an assist, AND make a save while playing at the keeper position all in the same game. Thursday, St. Joseph-Ogden's Jackson Greer did just that to help the Spartan post a conference shutout over the Rantoul Eagles.

St. Joseph-Ogden's Jackson Greer dribbles the ball

St. Joseph-Ogden's Jackson Greer dribbles the ball down the field against Rantoul. The senior scored two goals in the 5-0 win for the Spartans. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Showing he is an asset anywhere on the pitch, Greer helped SJO get on the scoreboard with a pass to Alex Accosta for the open goal of the game in the first half.

At the start of the second half Greer replaced Hunter Ketchum, who had one save, at keeper. While guarding and directing teammates on the field, Greer deflected one of the few solid threats made on the SJO goal during his short stint. He returned to the offensive side of the field, and with 23:10 left on the clock he put an unassisted shot into the north goal at the Rantoul Family Sports Complex. Minutes later, on a pass from the team's top defender Will Page, Greer scored a second goal to give the Spartans at 5-0 lead.

Between Greer's assist and first solo shot, freshman Zach Harper padded his stats with two goals. He notched the first one on a pass from Will Childers in the first half to give St. Joseph-Ogden a 2-0 lead. Harper than put his team up 3-0 after he guided the ball into the net on a corner kick.

Greer, Ketchum and Carter Mabry each recorded one save as the Spartans improved to 12-4-1 on the season.

The Spartans face St. Anne tonight at home in their final contest of their run of five consecutive matches in a row.

Prep Sports Notebook: Schweighart 22 digs not enough, SJO soccer wins again

Rockets dip below .500 after road loss

The Unity volleyball team fell 2-1 on the road at Central Catholic in Bloomington.

The Rockets held their ground during the first set to win, 25-23. Battling fiercely in both the second and the tie-breaking third, Reagan Little's 11 kills for the night were not enough to pull Unity through in their first conference match of the season.

Kaitlyn Schweighart led the defensive effort for UHS with 22 digs. Julia Ping had 13 digs along with Little's eight, as the Rockets drop to 6-7 on the season. Schweighart also chipped in 5 kills, and Ping three assists in the Illini Prairie Conference loss.

Ruby Tarr, who had four digs, delivered 15 assists.

The Rocket volleyball squad will have a chance to rebound next Tuesday when they host the 10-4 Spartans from St. Joseph-Ogden at the Rocket Center.

SJO soccer sack Olympians

After 1-1 first half, the Spartans hit four unanswered goals to beat visiting Olympia High School, 5-1. The prolific scoring effort was led by Spenser Wilson, who netted the first two goals of the second half with assists from Logan Mills and then one from Collin Thomey.

Mills added another assist to his season stats on a feed to Jacik Slowikosky, who punched in the team's fourth goal of the contest. Zach Harper closed out the scoring effort with an unassisted score late in the half.

Back in the first 90 minutes, Olympia's Evan Deterding slipped the ball past SJO keeper Hunter Ketchum, who had five saves, for the first score of the contest. Ryker Lockhart fired up the host Spartans with a reply to remind his team was still in the game thanks to a pass from Jackson Greer before the midgame break.

The Spartans improve to 6-2-1 on the season, and host IVC at 10 am on Saturday.

SJO volleyball picks up 10th win

The St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball team notched their first Illini Prairie Conference win after a 2-0 win over visiting St. Thomas More.

After a 1-1 start, the Spartans took the lead after junior Addie Roesch's ace and relinquished it once, falling behind briefly at 5-6 in the first set. SJO then took control of the match and thwarted four concerted STM efforts to dominate on the scoreboard. Later, tied at 21-all, St.Joseph-Ogden won for of the last five points for the 25-22 win.

With the momentum clearly on their side of the net, the Spartans jumped out to an 8-0 lead against last year's Class 1A state champions to start the second set. Their strong defensive effort that never allowed the Sabers to threaten their dominance any closer than three points as SJO prevailed 25-20 behind the combined firepower from SJO's Shayne Immke and Josey Frerichs up front.

Acosta hits hat trick in regional semifinal soccer match, SJO wins 9-0

St. Joseph-Ogden's Alex Acosta is congratulated by teammate Waylon Jones after scoring a goal against Unity on September 19. Acosta scored three goals on Saturday during the Spartans' regional semifinal soccer match against Clifton Central.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

ST. ANNE - They were literally unstoppable in putting the ball between the posts. The St. Joseph-Ogden soccer team rolled over Clifton Central in their IHSA regional semifinal match on Saturday, 9-0.

Junior Alex Acosta finished the postseason contest with a spectacular three goals. Spencer Wilson, a senior, connected twice, and the Spartans got two scores from junior Logan Mills. Freshman Tyler Hess rounded out the SJO scoring effort with two goals in the shutout.

Acosta and fellow junior Will Besson were each credited with one assist each.Wilson and sophomore Zach Harper setup two scores apiece with solid passes.

Thanks to a incredible defensive effort in the backfield, keeper Jaxson Colvin notched three save to hold Comets scoreless for 80 minutes.

The Spartans improved to 16-7 with the win, and advanced to tonight's St. Anne regional championship game against another Comet team, this one from nearby Oakwood. An anticipated rematch, SJO hopes to avenge their earlier 5-1 loss three weeks ago in September to the OHS squad.

Saints hand Spartan soccer team conference loss in Illini Prairie clash

Zach Harper dribbles the ball down the field during St. Joseph-Ogden's home match against Unity on September 19. Eight days later, the sophomore scored one of two SJO goals in the 4-2 road loss at Bloomington Central Catholic yesterday. Now second in the league standings, the Spartans (12-6) will attempt to rebound with a road match against the Cardinals of St. Anne on Friday.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks