Girls Soccer: Caitlin Farrell, Geneva finding that team chemistry is key this season

GENEVA – Caitlin Farrell was quick to mention team chemistry.

"I've been on this team for four years and this [year's] team by far is my favorite," said Farrell, a Geneva senior, after the Vikings' 3-1 DuKane Conference win over Wheaton North on Tuesday.

"Just the best," said Farrell, a Loras College commit. "The way we work together, the way we encourage each other...it's just probably the best team I've been on."

Those kind of positive comments are what Geneva coach Megan Owens wants to hear.

"Wins and losses, they're not going to remember [over time]. It's about the memories," Owens said. "This is a very tight group. Everybody gets along; everybody is very positive and selfless, which is what you want as a coach. It's been a lot of fun."

Farrell had spot-started some games in previous years, but is now in her first stretch of consistent starts at forward.

The experience has evidently paid off.

"Being a senior, I wanted to step up for my team," Farrell said. "[Also], come off as a leader and help my team in that sense."

Geneva junior Anna Spindle deflected postgame questions about her individual performance this season, instead choosing to focus on the team.

"Our team has really good leadership this year," Spindle said. "We're working really well together because of the senior's leadership...Everyone is stepping up."

Tuesday proved to be a good example.

Wheaton North took a 1-0 lead about midway through the first half after senior forward Sarah Brcka cleaned up a send-in attempt that bounced away from Vikings' goalkeeper Katie Montgomery.

But Farrell and the Vikings rebounded quickly.

On a free kick send-in by Stephanie Howe, Alana Rawls was able to control it and flip the ball to Farrell, who pounded it past Falcons' goalkeeper Hanley Elftmann with 15:30 left in the first half to tie the game at 1-1.

Geneva's Jenna Dominguez later scored on a small rush with some room to operate to help Geneva take the 2-1 lead into the half with the assist from Howe.

The Vikings (7-4-1, 2-2) controlled the offensive tempo for much of the second half, as the Falcons (7-8-1, 2-3) first true scoring threat of the half came with 15:45 left on a penalty kick. A few minutes later, Montgomery poked away a solid scoring chance from Riley Winckler, but the Vikings defense stood tall the rest of the way.

Spindle scored the insurance goal from 25 yards out with 26:41 remaining in the second half after another Howe assist.

"We played a really nice first 40 minutes," Wheaton North coach Tim McEvilly said. "I thought the first half was even...we deserved to kind of go up 1-0. That second goal was just one of those poor goals you can't give up against a quality team."

"[The Vikings] played much better in the second half," McEvilly continued. "And, we didn't adjust to their adjustments smart enough on the field."