Geneva advances to super-sectional

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WEST CHICAGO -- This wasn't possible six weeks ago.

Shawn Sloan stepped off the field at Wheaton Academy, subbed out of the Class AA Wheaton Academy sectional final for the final time, and proceeded to high-five or hug everyone of his teammates sitting on the bench, finishing with a kiss to the top of Adam Cornwell's head.

Five minutes later, Sloan and Cornwell led the Vikings charge onto the field, celebrating a sectional title after a 4-1 win against the host Warriors on Thursday night.

After the obligatory jog to the Geneva fan section to thank the fans and a team picture in the goal with the sectional plaque, Sloan, Cornwell and midfielder John McSpadden celebrated with an organized dance in the middle of the field reserved for moments like this.

Again, a scene like that wasn't possible six weeks ago.

Six weeks ago, Geneva coach Ryan Estabrook suggested his team's sub-.500 record might be the worst in school history. He searched for answers, adjusted the rotation, tried to figure out what was wrong with the team's chemistry.

Sixteen wins later, the Vikings (19-5-2) celebrated their first sectional title since 2004.

"We weren't even thinking about playing in a game like this (earlier in the season)," Cornwell said. "All we wanted to do was turn our season around."

Sloan and Cornwell were two big reasons why the Vikings awoke from their series of early-season lulls, and they were the catalysts Thursday night.

With the score tied at 1 after an own goal by Wheaton Academy's Danny Torres and a goal from the Warriors' Lucas Young, Sloan gave the Vikings the lead on a goal that looked exactly the same as his goal against Wheaton Warrenville South on Tuesday.

Sloan dribbled back from the end line and around the Warriors' Ian Moses and goalie Ryan Seager before shooting the ball into the back of a wide-open net.

"It was very similar to his goal Tuesday night," Estabrook said. "It was just effort and some nice little footwork. Persistence paid off."

After Sloan gave the Vikings the lead, Cornwell extended the Vikings advantage not once, but twice in only three minutes.

The first goal came on a pass from midfielder Mike McCabe, which Cornwell one-timed into the net. Three minutes later, he got a breakaway, beat Seager to the ball and scored to advance the Vikings to a super-sectional game against No. 1 Neuqua Valley on Monday at Benedictine University in Lisle.

"The first goal was just such a beautiful pass from Mike," said Cornwell, who now has 21 goals on the year. "I just found a spot and put it in."

Six weeks ago, it was long talks and soul searching. Thursday night it was organized celebrations and three-step handshakes.

"The camaraderie has improved so much around here after the start to our season," Sloan said. "We didn't want our season to end the way it started."

Sixteen wins later, Geneva doesn't remember what losing feels like.

"To be honest I don't even know what it feels like now," Cornwell said. "But right now it doesn't matter how many we've won in a row, we need to continue playing this way."

jsahly@scn1.com Boys Class AA Wheaton Academy Soccer Sectional: Geneva 3, Wheaton Academy 0