GENOA — Three Rochelle Lady Hub soccer players scored their first career varsity goals on Saturday afternoon, when the girls picked up a pair of victories and came within a penalty-kick shootout of bringing home the Genoa-Kingston Girls Soccer Tournament championship.

Rochelle scored seven goals over three matches, with senior Yasmin Bahena as well as freshman newcomers Morgan DeLille and Natalie Foster notching their first varsity goals to help lead the Lady Hubs into the tournament finals. Rochelle opened the tournament with two straight wins, defeating Rockford Christian and Pecatonica to advance to the championship match, where the Lady Hubs faced host Genoa-Kingston for the second time this season. 

“I think having coachable players and having players who are willing to try new positions and do new things is huge for becoming the team we want to be and beating last year’s record,” said senior midfielder Emma Kennay, who scored two goals on Saturday. “Seeing them smile and jump in the air when they score their first goal is the best feeling because not only did we accomplish a win, but we also accomplished a milestone in their journey of becoming soccer players. We had a few freshmen score first-time goals and those are huge milestones.”

While the Cogs took down Rochelle 4-1 on April 4, the Lady Hubs played Genoa-Kingston much tougher the second time around, scoring in the 48th minute to tie the match near the end of regulation time and force penalty kicks. Although they fell just short of victory, Saturday’s runner-up finish was a tremendous confidence booster for the Lady Hubs (5-6, 0-2 Interstate 8), who’ve already surpassed their win total from last season despite rostering seven freshmen.

“This year, we’re more positive and we’re more of a family,” said senior midfielder Makayla Lara, who tallied a trio of goals on Saturday. “The freshmen who came in are more experienced and I think it’s easier to build that chemistry and continue playing as a team. I really hope it boosts their confidence because this team is more than just a few players and everyone contributes.”

The Lady Hubs kicked off their tournament with an opening-round match against Rockford Christian. Rochelle took the early lead, with freshmen Paige Harris and Morgan DeLille connecting in the 12th minute to give the Lady Hubs a 1-0 advantage. Rochelle surged ahead after the senior midfielder Lara booted in her first goal of the tournament in the 28th minute.

“Getting second place in this tournament and winning some of our games helps us and reminds us that we can still win as long as we work hard as a team,” Lara said. “We were able to communicate better than we normally do and as a team, we were there for each other. We let everyone know, no matter what the outcome was, that we would be proud of each other.”

Rockford Christian rallied from its two-goal deficit, scoring in the 30th and 47th minutes to force a penalty-kick shootout after a 2-2 draw in regulation time. But key plays from sophomore goalkeeper Yana Bartkiv, who totaled three saves in the match, and Lara, who converted the deciding penalty kick, enabled the Lady Hubs to take their first match of the tournament.

Rochelle once again struck first during its match with Pecatonica, scoring after Yasmin Bahena assisted Emma Kennay in the eighth minute. The Lady Hubs extended their lead when Harris found fellow freshman Natalie Foster, who cashed in her first varsity goal during the 30th minute to put Rochelle ahead 2-0. While Pecatonica cut the lead to one after a goal in the 40th minute, Rochelle secured its victory after Bahena blasted in her first varsity goal during the 46th minute.

“One of our biggest qualities is being able to keep a good mood and stay positive throughout the entire day, no matter what hurdles come our way,” Kennay said. “We’re always staying positive and we always come together as a family and I think that’s truly important when coming into these tournaments. It’s huge, especially for the freshmen and even for the returning players.”

Rochelle and Genoa-Kingston played to a scoreless draw over the first 20 minutes, but the Cogs managed to break through during the 21st minute, scoring to take a 1-0 lead in the championship match. Unfazed by their first deficit of the afternoon, the Lady Hubs found their equalizer in the 32nd minute, when Kennay put the ball into the back of the Genoa-Kingston net. 

The back-and-forth battle continued throughout the final moments of the match, with the Cogs retaking the lead in the 38th minute before Lara struck for a goal in the 48th minute to send the match into a shootout. Although Rochelle was unable to come away with the win, the Lady Hubs landed three players (Bartkiv, Lara and senior Betty Flores) on the All-Tournament Team.