Geneva, Metea Valley settle for tie

Updated: March 24, 2011 3:04PM

Tuesday was one of those times when Geneva and host Metea Valley had to contend with each other and also Mother Nature's idea of Midwestern weather one day after the start of spring: wind gusts and rain sprinkles to make falling temperatures feel even colder.

By any measure it was a well-earned 1-1 draw as the visiting Vikings didn't let the elements keep them from creating opportunities throughout the first half only to have the kind of trouble finishing that happens in a team's second match of the season.

And despite its relative youth, Metea Valley showed poise in responding with an equalizer.

Aside from an early Alyssa Fox shot over the crossbar for the host Mustangs, Geneva compiled a 13-4 advantage in overall attempts including a 5-2 edge for shots on target during the opening 40 minutes. The Vikings' Catherine Allon came close on a trio of occasions and that undoubtedly gave her the confidence to crank a 22-yarder that sailed just under the crossbar with 13:48 left.

"We knew coming in the playing conditions were going to be tough so it was important to get at least one in the net," Allon said. "I was actually aiming a little more to the left but the wind helped curve it away from the keeper."

With no seniors on the roster for Metea Valley's initial season at the varsity level, the Mustangs got the equalizer with 10:35 remaining as Kristin Tomaras' through ball led to a Jenna Kentgen 16-yard blast from the right wing.

"I saw Jenna making a run and the defense shift over so I figured keeping it low and the ground was the best way to give her a through ball," Tomaras said.

"It was a good pass and when I saw the defenders split a little, I just hit the gap and figured the keeper was focused on protecting the near post," Kentgen said of her first goal of the year.

Geneva still finished with a 24-8 advantage for overall tries and a 9-4 edge in shots on goal with Viking goalie Victoria Fortney making three saves. Megan Geldernick had five stops in the opening half for Metea Valley while Kiley Dunning turned away three in the second half.

"We certainly created opportunities, we just didn't finish enough of them," Geneva coach Megan Owens said. "Despite the wind and cold I thought we dominated play, but our youth showed a little after scoring when we let them come right back on us."

The Vikings, who make their home debut Wednesday against Wheaton Academy, had opened the season with a 7-0 shutout at Westmont thanks to a hat trick by Amanda Lulek.

"Alexis (McKay) and Samantha (Butler) did a great job in back containing their speed," Metea Valley coach Pat Feulner said. "I'm not sure we'll see anyone as fast as Lulek or their forwards in general. Our back line hold together as well as they did was a big plus and to go down 1-0 against Geneva and come back with a tying goal, that's just a great effort on our part. Especially in the second half when everyone was feeling the elements that much more."

Metea Valley makes its first road trip on Thursday with a visit to Elgin.

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