Sturdy SJO defense nearly shutout Central Catholic

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

With Brayden Weaver providing protection, St. Joseph-Ogden's Crayton Burnett hands off the ball to Keaton Nolan during his team's home game against Bloomington Central Catholic on Friday, September 13. Held to just 155 total yards, it was a very unlucky day for the Saints who could only muster just ten first downs against a maturing SJO defense. All three SJO players scored once to lead SJO past BCC, 18-7. Weaver finished the game with 104 yards on 17 carries while Nolan led all ball carriers with a game-high 107 yards on 20 carries. The Spartans take their 3-0 record to Hicks Field to face longtime rival Unity (2-1) this Friday. See all the photos from the game here . . . (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Central Maroons beat SJO, Struck leads Heritage over Arcola

Sports Wrap: September 11

SJO falls at home to Central

The St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball team picked up their second loss of the season after a 2-0 loss to visiting Champaign Central.

Katelyn Berry led the Spartans with seven kills and four digs in the non-conference match up. Jenna Albrecht contributed another five as the program's record moves to 4-2 on the season. Lacey Kaiser buoyed the team at the net with three blocks.

The Spartans host the Oakwood Comets tonight for another non-conference match before heading to the Mahomet-Seymour tournament this weekend.

Struck leads Heritage in 2-0 decision over Arcola

Bri Struck tallied six kills and five digs as 9-2 Heritage picks up another win after beating host Arcola, 25-13, 25-21. Olivia Sorensen contributed 11 assists and five aces.

Olympia drop straight sets to IVC

Junior Kaitlin Dean recorded 9 kills on the road at Illinois Valley Central but it wasn't enough for Olympia to blast by the Lady Grey Ghosts. The Spartans fell in Illini Prairie Conference action in straight sets, 25-10, 25-22.

Kaelyn Leverson delivered 18 assists over two sets. Bella Dickhut contributed 5 kills.

The Spartans next match is at home against Decatur MacArthur on Thursday.

Second half slide nips soccer team

Freshman keeper Hunter Ketchum had six saves in the Spartans' 2-0 loss to Fisher-GCMS at home last night. Bunnies Ethan Kasper scored the only two goals in the non-conference contest. His second came on a penalty kick less than ten yards from the posts.

SJO had a plethora of runs that could have resulted in scores, but could not put the ball in the net.

"I feel like we just lacking one part," said senior Kolton Batty. He is optimistic about the rest of the season and the current record is part of the process of maturing as a team. "Its just mental. I know we are a better team than we are."

The Spartans drop to 1-5-1 and play Oakwood at the Cornjerker Classic in Hoopeston on Friday. Match time is set for 4pm.




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Wayback Wednesday: Illini lacrosse fall to Michigan State

Illinois' Michael Grisko [7] races across the field looking for an open teammate to pass the ball despite opposition from Spartans' Derek Baynton from behind during their match in Urbana on March 31 in 2007. The Fighting Illini fell in their home lacrosse opener 10-8 to visiting Michigan State. The club team record drops to 4-7 on the season and Grisko delivered a single goal in their third consecutive loss.

Left: Illinois' Stephen Black [35] celebrates his first goal of the day with teammate Nate Prescott [37] during second half action against the Spartans. Right: Joe O'Malley passes the ball to a teammate during second half action. The Illinois sophomore contributed a single goal during the contest. See more photos from this match back in 2007 here: Illinois vs Michigan State lacrosse gallery.

Spartan long-stick Chris Zolkower [6] goes down while trying to maintain possession of the ball during fourth quarter action. Zolkower and visiting Michigan State Saturday afternoon handed the Illini their seventh loss on the season. Click here to view PhotoNews Media's complete collection of lax photos in our online archive today.