Foxes Soccer Program Celebrates Successful Summer

A special thanks to Assistant Soccer Coach Andrew Johnson for providing this news article.

The summer has been kind to the Yorkville Foxes soccer program. With a first place finish in the Kaneland Summer Soccer Tournament, the coaches and players are reflecting on a successful summer of action.

Artan Emini had a hat trick in the second game of the tournament against Burlington Central High School, a program that finished fourth in state just years ago, helping give the Foxes a dominating 6-1 victory. Francisco Marquez controlled the center of the field with quick cuts, crisp passes, and sharply aimed shots on frame. The defense of Yorkville did not give up much ground, leaving Central attackers frustrated with off balance shots on net, coupled with remarkable saves by Josiah Hahn from the shots that were put into his area.

Heading into that matchup with Burlington Central, Yorkville was riding high from a thrilling first game of the tournament against a familiar summer opponent, Aurora Central Catholic, having played them for the third time this summer. After trailing 3-1 early in the second half, the Foxes caught a break when an ACC defender heading the ball into his own goal, putting them within one goal of tying the game. With just a couple of minutes left, Francisco Marquez blasted a shot into the upper left corner of the goal to tie things up...or so the team thought.

The referee called an obstruction penalty on a teammate for being in front of the goalie. Fortunately, Yorkville stayed positive, and with only two seconds left in the game, after a scramble by both teams in the ACC 18-yard box, Peter Scherer put in another goal, this time without a penalty. The Foxes walked away with the tie they had worked so hard for.

To round out the weekend, the soccer team beat Kaneland 3-1 in a game that saw the Foxes controlling the ball for the majority of the game, and the senior Emini finishing with two more goals, to give him six for the tournament.

"We moved him to striker this year, whereas last year we relied on him as our center mid. He was possessed this weekend. Nobody could stop him. He came back stronger, faster, and more skilled than last year, and I was very happy to see him take advantage of that hard work in the off-season. Artan is a tough competitor and great kid, so if this is a sign of things to come in the season, I will be very excited to see his success," comments a pleased head coach Mike Jacobs.

Going along with their camp in which nearly 90 players attended, the YHS Soccer team played games against Aurora Central Catholic (2), Plainfield North, Kaneland, and the three-game Kaneland tournament this summer, being competitive in all matchups.

"I believe this program has really turned the page and is finally going into a successful direction," says assistant coach Andrew Johnson. "We have been preaching for the last few years that we need the commitment and support of our players and parents in order to become a solid program. Well, judging by this summer, that time is now. We are heading into a season in which players have come in great shape, there is more talent then ever before, and parents are out in full force supporting their players. The season can't come soon enough!"

To help support the soccer program, please visit http://bit.ly/yorkville115soccer and check out their fundraiser through Sages Meats.