RI boys soccer invite
Q-C teams struggle in 10-team tournament field

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By Sean J. Miller | Sunday, October 1, 2006 12:08 AM CDT | () comments

Home field was not an advantage at this year’s Rock Island Invitational high school boys soccer tournament, as the five Quad-City teams struggled against out-of-town opposition.

Geneseo, last year’s winner, was the local standout, finishing with 18 points, two wins and two losses, and taking sixth in the standings.

The tournament “helps as a gauge,” Geneseo coach Richard Markham said. Most of the season “we’re either winning 8-0 or losing 8-0.”

Rock Island Alleman and Moline, which finished the event without a goal, were swept.

“It gives you a whole new look at the game,” Alleman coach Greg Zeller said. “We’ve got 19 guys in the entire program, two seniors. Every game, we’re hopefully learning a little more.”

Saturday’s final game epitomized the two-day experience for the Q-C teams.

United Township faced off against Aurora East in a game to decide which local team would have the best record.

“We came into this tournament thinking we’re the odds-on favorites,” United Township coach Phil Weaver said. “We made it tough on ourselves.”

The Panthers, who went into the Aurora East game with a 1-1-1 mark in the tournament, were down a goal within minutes. Aurora East scored off a scramble in the penalty area after a well-struck corner kick, and UT almost answered with a free kick but the header glanced wide.

Missed chances were the story of the day. UT missed several opportunities, while Aurora East made no mistakes with its chances, building a 2-0 halftime lead on the way to the 4-0 win.

“Hopefully, this is a tough lesson,” Weaver said.

Aurora East’s performance lifted it to first place in the tournament. UT was eighth, a point behind Rock Island, which also finished 1-2-1.

Geneseo played Washington in its final game.

The Maple Leafs had trouble scoring earlier in the tournament, losing 1-0 on a penalty Friday night to St. Francis, last year’s runner-up in the tourney.

Geneseo had the majority of possession during the first half, hitting the woodwork once. Washington’s defense staked out a perimeter around the 18-yard box, and it took a 30-yard blast from center midfielder Wolfe Repass to break the deadlock.

Geneseo continued to press after going ahead but couldn’t find a brace. Washington almost made Geneseo pay for its wasted chances. It came close several times in the second half. But Repass’ 15th goal of the season held up as the lone score.

“We were a little tired; other wise, I think the game could have been different,” Repass, a senior, said.

The tournament was a good test before the playoffs start, he added. “A lot of our younger players are getting better each day.”

Contact the sports desk at (563) 383-2285 or sports@qctimes.com.