Four years of high points

Geneva midfielder Shawn Sloan tallied 29 goals -- a single-season school record -- and 12 assists and helped his team reach a sectional final. For his accomplishments, he is the Beacon News Boys Soccer Athlete of the Year for 2008.
Terence Guider-Shaw / Special to The Beacon News

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Although he never experienced his state dream, it's hard for him to be disappointed.

Because for senior Shawn Sloan, his days at Geneva won't be remembered for never performing on the state stage, but rather for the countless achievements during a memorable four-year varsity run.

"As time goes on, you look at this season as a whole and we were 20-3-1," said Sloan, the Beacon News Boys Soccer Athlete of the Year. "There aren't many teams that can say that. We would have been really happy to go to state, but we still had a phenomenal season."

The last four seasons have been remarkable for Geneva and Sloan. Since 2005, the Vikings have a jaw-dropping 76-18-5 record with four Western Sun Conference championships, three regional titles and a sectional crown in 2007.

"Sloan is a darn good player and he's fun to watch," said Kaneland coach Scott Parillo, whose team lost 7-0 to Geneva this season. "What you've got to do is put a mark on him and hope for the best. But the problem is, even if you mark him with two guys, (Eastern Illinois recruit Kendal) Spurgin or someone else is going to take up the load."

Sloan shouldered much of the load this season, dishing out 12 assists and scored 29 goals. The latter total tied a school record set by his brother Steve in 2005. Shawn, who had 15 goals and 10 assists in last season's 19-6-2 season and run to the supersectional round, finished with 57 career goals.

"He can score in so many ways, whether it's by a free kick, beating a defender on his own or finishing a play that another player set up," Geneva coach Ryan Estabrook said. "It's hard to contain a player like that for an entire 80 minutes."

With a berth in the Barrington Super-Sectional at stake, the second-seeded Vikings took on ninth-seeded St. Charles North in the Class 3A Wheaton North sectional final.

Geneva defeated the North Stars 4-0 earlier in the season, so confidence was high heading into the match. But the Vikings' intensity level was lacking and their season ended with a 3-1 setback.

"Especially in the playoffs, if you don't come out 100 percent, teams are going to take advantage of that," Sloan said.

Geneva nearly missed its opportunity to compete for a sectional championship -- it trailed Schaumburg 2-1 with less than 10 minutes remaining in the semifinal. But Sloan, like he had done so many times before, wouldn't let the Vikings fail, scoring twice in a four-minute stretch.

"Being in those high-pressure situations before is key," he said. "I never thought that we were going to lose that game."

Although Sloan will never win another game wearing Geneva's royal blue and white, he'll continue his soccer career at High Point University in North Carolina, where his father, Jeff, played soccer, and his mother, Jannell, played field hockey.

"It was down to Davidson and High Point," said Sloan, who turned 18 on Nov. 17. "I had some relatives pulling for Davidson and some for High Point, but they just wanted me to make my own decision."

While opposing high school coaches are probably glad to see Sloan move on, they should take note: his brother Brandon will be a freshman at Geneva next fall.

"Every four years you get a Sloan," Parillo said. "I'm hoping the Sloan family moves to the Kaneland school district." 

Beacon News All-Area Team

GOALKEEPER: Stephen Walan, West Aurora junior: All-State selection made 140 saves, posted nine shutouts and even earned two assists. Also stopped five of six penalty kicks.

DEFENDER: Nik Patel, Waubonsie Valley junior: All-Sectional choice had three goals and four assists for the Warriors.

DEFENDER: Henrry Perez, West Aurora junior: An All-Sectional honoree who also chipped in three goals and three assists. "Henrry prevents shots from happening by helping his teammates know what to do," Blackhawks coach Joe Sustersic said.

DEFENDER: Dan Pasillas, Oswego East junior: Sweeper was named All-Sectional and contributed four goals and three assists. "He was our best player and a great leader on the field," Wolves coach Steve Szymanski said. "Dan was dominant in the air and won every head ball."

MIDFIELDER : Shawn Sloan, Geneva senior: The Beacon News Boys Soccer Athlete of the Year scored 29 goals and had 12 assists in being selected All-State. "He was the most electric offensive player that I saw all year," Vikings coach Ryan Estabrook said. "He is the true embodiment of a student-athlete."

MIDFIELDER : Kendal Spurgin, Geneva senior: All-State choice tallied eight goals and three assists. "He was the driving force of our outstanding midfield this year," Estabrook said.

MIDFIELDER: Matt Bermes, Oswego senior: Racked up seven goals and three assists on way to All-Sectional honors. Helped Panthers reach first supersectional in program history.

MIDFIELDER: Matt Russo, Batavia senior: Put up 12 goals and 15 assists in garnering All-State recognition.

MIDFIELDER: Mitch Albrecht, Batavia junior: His seven goals and 12 assists helped earn him All-Sectional recognition.

FORWARD: Sean Totsch, Oswego junior: All-State player collected 22 goals and three assists in addition to being named Southwest Prairie Conference Player of the Year.

FORWARD: Jesse Ortiz, East Aurora junior: Finished season with 18 goals and five assists and was named All-Sectional. "An outstanding player and standout in this area," Tomcats coach Jason Rollins said.