Stephanie Howe enjoyed wearing the Geneva uniform as a freshman last spring on the track team, but she wanted something more, especially since soccer is her true passion.
She also saw fellow classmates win the school’s fourth straight competitive dance state championship and the first girls basketball state title in school history during the winter.
School spirit has never been higher, and she wanted to get a taste of it for herself, so she joined the soccer team this spring after playing exclusively for club.
“I had a great time on the track team, but since soccer is what I want to do in my future, I thought now was the right time for me,” she said. “It’s a different experience from club and being able to put on that Geneva jersey everyday is a cool experience.”
Howe has been a wonderful addition for Geneva coach Megan Owens, who considers this Vikings team the best in her nine seasons.
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“It’s a very talented group, the most talented group I’ve coached since being here,” Owens said. “It’s been a very exciting year and our future is bright.”
Geneva (14-1) has already racked up a handful of impressive wins. The Vikings have beaten rivals Batavia and St. Charles East as well as Naperville Central twice. The Vikings will look for the Tri-Cities sweep Tuesday against St. Charles North.
Howe played defender and midfielder in club, but she instantly won over Owens during indoor workouts as a forward.
“We noticed right away she was a natural offensive player and could score goals, and she’s proven that against some of the top teams we’ve played,” Owens said. “I don’t know. Her club might switch her to offense after what she’s been able to accomplish here.”
Apparently, it takes a defender to know how to beat one.
“Since she’s played so much defense, she knows how to read defenders really well,” Owens said. “So she knows the ways to beat them.”
The transition from club has been seamless for Howe.
“It’s been really exciting to play with new players and in a new position,” she said. “Forward is new to me, but I think I developed easily because I know how to read plays since I used to play outside back and center mid.
“I see where I need to run and I can read defenses. It’s gone well and we keep improving.”
Howe is like many club players who return to high school as upperclassmen, except she did it her sophomore year.
“She’s having a lot of fun out there, and I think our different sports programs have been building off of each other,” Owens said. “We have two members on the team from the basketball team who joined us a week late and know it what it takes to win a state championship.”
The Vikings have won 11 regionals in the past 15 years in girls soccer, but haven’t advanced to the state finals since 2005.
Could be this year they get back?
“It’s been a great experience with this team,” Howe said. “Everyone has been friendly and easy to get along with and it shows on the field.
“Our chemistry in playing together has been great and we do a lot of team activities. It’s been a great season so we want to keep it going as much as we can.”
C.R. Walker is a freelance writer for The Beacon-News.