Video Highlights! Green Machine @ Assumption
Lady Leafs Tie for Third at Potter Invitational
The Geneseo Lady Leafs opened their girls tennis season with a strong showing Saturday, tying for third place at the Morton Potter Invitational with seven team points.
Moline won the eight-team tournament with 11 points, followed by Morton with eight. Geneseo and Dixon each finished with seven, ahead of Peoria Notre Dame, Mahomet-Seymour, Peoria Richwoods and Normal West.
Geneseo’s Kendyl Wassenhove and Stella Smith advanced to the championship match at No. 1 doubles.
The pair opened with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Normal West before defeating Dixon 6-2, 6-4. They met Moline’s Pearly Ciss and Emily VanVooren in the final, falling 7-6 (5), 6-2.
Vi Pettit and Annabelle Betcher also put together a strong run at No. 2 doubles, defeating Peoria Notre Dame 6-2, 6-0 and Mahomet-Seymour 6-2, 6-4. Morton stopped their run with a 6-3, 6-2 victory.
In singles, Anastasia Pitsoulakis earned a hard-fought victory over Peoria Richwoods’ Lydia Day. After dropping the opening set in a tiebreaker, Pitsoulakis came back to win 6-7 (8), 6-3, 1-0 (15).
Annie Reed collected two wins at No. 2 singles. Reed rallied for a 3-6, 6-1, 1-0 (9) victory over Normal West and followed with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Peoria Richwoods.
The Potter Invitational was Geneseo’s first scheduled competition of the 2026 season. The Lady Leafs are scheduled to return to action Saturday, Aug. 29, at Sterling, where they will compete with Sterling and United Township beginning at 9 a.m.
Green Machine Rallies Past Assumption, 16-13, in Season Opener
Geneseo opened the 2026 football season with a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback Friday night, rallying past Davenport Assumption for a 16-13 victory in a season opener that included a lengthy weather interruption.
Before the first quarter was complete, play was stopped because of lightning. The delay lasted more than an hour before the teams were able to return to the field and resume play.
Once the game got moving again, the Green Machine controlled the game on the ground, finishing with 473 rushing yards on 59 carries and 24 first downs. Geneseo ran 62 offensive plays compared with 32 for Assumption and outgained the Knights 473-124.
Mark Nelms led the Green Machine with 155 yards on 22 carries, averaging just over seven yards per attempt, and scored Geneseo's only touchdown on a 44-yard run. Luca Turigliatti carried 23 times for 147 yards, while Jack Mickley added 117 yards on just eight attempts, including a 52-yard run.
The three combined for 419 rushing yards on 53 carries.
Brayden Cox added 33 yards on three carries, including a 32-yard run, while Harrison Hill rushed twice for 20 yards with a long of 16.
The victory required Geneseo to overcome two costly turnovers in the first half, both of which were returned for Assumption touchdowns.
Geneseo moved deep into Assumption territory on its opening possession before the first interception was returned for a score. The extra-point attempt was unsuccessful, giving Assumption a 6-0 lead.
The Green Machine answered when Carson Peters connected on a 42-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 6-3.
Another Geneseo interception in the second quarter was returned for Assumption's second defensive touchdown. This time, the extra point was good, sending the Knights into halftime with a 13-3 advantage.
Geneseo finished the night 0-for-2 passing with two interceptions, meaning all 473 yards of its offense came on the ground.
Photo by Sarah DeMaranville
Despite the turnovers, Geneseo continued finding success on the ground. The Green Machine finished with 24 first downs compared with seven for Assumption and converted four of 10 third-down attempts. Geneseo was also successful on its only fourth-down attempt.
Assumption was held to just 124 total yards, all rushing. The Knights ran only 32 offensive plays and converted two of seven third-down attempts. Geneseo's defense repeatedly gave its offense opportunities to work back into the game.
That comeback arrived in the fourth quarter.
Nelms broke loose for a 44-yard touchdown run, and the ensuing extra point cut Assumption's lead to 13-10.
Peters then delivered again, connecting on a 20-yard field goal to tie the game at 13-13.
With the game hanging in the balance, Geneseo's ground game put the Green Machine in position for one final opportunity. Mickley's biggest run of the night covered 52 yards, the longest Geneseo rush of the game.
Photo by Sarah DeMaranville
Peters completed the comeback with the game-winning field goal as time expired, giving Geneseo the 16-13 victory.
Geneseo's defense was led statistically by Mickley, who recorded three tackles and five assists. Ben Simosky added three tackles and three assists, while Max Nicke recorded two tackles and three assists. Trevor Freeman was credited with a tackle for loss.
The final numbers showed Geneseo's statistical advantage. The Green Machine outgained Assumption 473-124 and held a 24-7 advantage in first downs. Geneseo committed one penalty for 10 yards, while both of its interceptions were returned by Assumption for touchdowns.
Geneseo begins the 2026 season 1-0.
GENESEO INDIVIDUAL STATS VS. ASSUMPTION
OFFENSE
Mark Nelms #27
22 carries, 155 yards, 1 TD
Long: 44 yards
Luca Turigliatti #7
23 carries, 147 yards
Long: 27 yards
Passing: 0-for-2, 2 INT
Jack Mickley #3
8 carries, 117 yards
Long: 52 yards
Brayden Cox #26
3 carries, 33 yards
Long: 32 yards
Harrison Hill #24
2 carries, 20 yards
Long: 16 yards
Rest of team
1 carry, 1 yard
DEFENSE
Jack Mickley #3
3 tackles, 5 assists
Ben Simosky #33
3 tackles, 3 assists
Max Nicke #20
2 tackles, 3 assists
J. Wexell #10
1 tackle
B. Diehl #43
1 tackle, 3 assists
K. Mosier #19
1 tackle, 2 assists
E. Bjorkman #53
1 tackle, 2 assists
T. Freeman #62
1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 tackle for loss
K. Ariano #25
1 tackle, 1 assist
E. Brown #61
1 assist
Brayden Cox #26
1 assist
Rest of team
1 fumble recovery
SPECIAL TEAMS
Carson Peters #9
Field goals: 3-for-3 (100%)
Field-goal points: 9
Kickoffs: 4
Touchbacks: 3
J. Wexell #10
2 kickoff returns
14-yard average
Long: 17 yards
Luca Turigliatti #7
1 punt
TEAM TOTALS
Total plays: 62
Total offense: 473 yards
Rushing: 473 yards
Passing: 0 yards
First downs: 24
Third downs: 4-for-10 (40%)
Fourth downs: 1-for-1 (100%)
Turnovers: 2
Interceptions thrown: 2
Penalties: 1 for 10 yards
XC: Rustbuster Gallery
Girls Golf Looks to Find Its Swing
Sterling Tops Geneseo in Season Opener
Geneseo opened its girls golf season Aug. 17 with a home dual against Sterling at Geneseo Country Club, with the Golden Warriors earning a 210-222 victory.
Senior Claire DeGrave led the Maple Leafs and earned medalist honors with a 45 (+10), the lowest score among the golfers listed in the individual results.
Junior Lillian Bellagamba followed with a 52 (+17), while sophomore Madison Kuethe shot 53 (+18). Senior Jordyn Miller finished with a 72 (+37), junior Paysli Christ recorded a 75 (+40) and sophomore Gracie Wilson shot 76 (+41).
Freshman Ella Hepner, competing in the seventh position and therefore not counted toward the team score, finished with a 78 (+43).
Geneseo results:
Claire DeGrave — 45 (+10), 1st
Lillian Bellagamba — 52 (+17), 4th
Madison Kuethe — 53 (+18), 5th
Jordyn Miller — 72 (+37), 9th
Paysli Christ — 75 (+40), 10th
Gracie Wilson — 76 (+41), 11th
Ella Hepner — 78 (+43), 13th
Sterling finished at 210 (+70), while Geneseo posted a 222 (+82).
Two days later, the Maple Leafs returned to competition at the Redbird Classic in Metamora.
Maple Leafs Place 13th at Redbird Classic
Geneseo girls golf finished 13th in a 15-team field at the Redbird Classic on Aug. 19 at Metamora Fields Golf Club in Metamora.
The Maple Leafs were led by Claire DeGrave, who carded an 86, 15 over par, to finish 17th individually.
Madison Kuethe finished with a 101 (+30) and tied for 48th. Paysli Christ shot 129 (+58) and tied for 77th, while Jordyn Miller recorded a 140 (+69) to finish 79th.
Gracie Wilson was also listed for Geneseo but did not have a completed 18-hole score in the results, with the leaderboard showing +60 through 15 holes.
Geneseo finished 13th overall in the 15-team field.
Geneseo individual results:
Claire DeGrave — 86 (+15), 17th
Madison Kuethe — 101 (+30), T-48th
Paysli Christ — 129 (+58), T-77th
Jordyn Miller — 140 (+69), 79th
Gracie Wilson — +60 through 15 holes
Dunlap Gold won the tournament with a 313 (+29), followed by host Metamora at 336 (+52). Quincy finished third at 345 (+61), Peoria Richwoods was fourth at 348 (+64) and Bloomington Central Catholic rounded out the top five with a 350 (+66).
The remainder of the team standings showed Morton sixth at 359 (+75), Peoria Notre Dame seventh at 360 (+76), Dunlap Maroon eighth at 373 (+89) and Macomb ninth at 375 (+91). Bartonville Limestone placed 10th, Washington was 11th with 429 (+145), Eureka placed 12th, Geneseo 13th, Champaign St. Thomas More 14th with 477 (+193) and East Peoria 15th.
Geneseo Boys Golf Falls to Moline in Close Match at Country View
Photo Gallery
The Geneseo boys golf team came up just short against Moline on Tuesday, Aug. 19, at Country View Golf Course, with the Maple Leafs posting a team score of 159.
Senior Jaxon Ernst led Geneseo with a 38, the lowest round among the six Geneseo golfers shown on the leaderboard. Freshman Trace Hager followed closely with a 39, while sophomore Gavin Davis carded a 40.
Sophomore Kain Stroud completed Geneseo’s four counting scores with a 42, bringing the Green Machine’s team total to 159.
Junior Kellen Vankerebroeck finished with a 46, while senior Joseph Thoene shot a 48.
Geneseo individual scores were:
Jaxon Ernst — 38
Trace Hager — 39
Gavin Davis — 40
Kain Stroud — 42
Kellen Vankerebroeck — 46
Joseph Thoene — 48
With the four lowest rounds determining the team score, Ernst, Hager, Davis and Stroud combined for Geneseo’s 159.
Green Machine: BRAKEdown - Preseason
Yes, it’s true: Matt Furlong is in just his third season as Geneseo’s football coach, and already he has his players thinking in terms of “reloading” the Green Machine, rather than “rebuilding” it.
Read more2026 GMS Softball Schedule
GMS Softball
GMS 6 Logan 4
GMS 11 East Peoria Central 1
GMS 16 Ridgewood 6
08/15 - 10:00: at Ingersoll
08/17 - 4:30: Mercer County
08/18 - 4:30: Kewanee
08/20 - 4:30: Annawan (B Game)
08/22 - 10:00: Orion
08/25 - 4:30: West Central
08/26 - 4:30: at Ottawa Shepherd
08/29 - 10:00: at Brimfield
09/03 - 4:30: at Annawan (A Game)
2026 Golf Schedules
Maple Leafs
08/14 - 1:00: at Rocket JV Invite (Deer Valley CC)
08/18 - 4:00: at Rock Falls
08/19 - 4:00: Moline (Country View GC)
08/20 - 4:00: at Mercer County (Oak View CC)
08/22 - 8:30: at Macomb Gary Saunders Invitational (Macomb CC)
08/24 - 4:00: GHS Invite (TPC Deere Run)
08/26 - 4:00: Alleman (Country View GC)
08/28 - 1:00: at Riverdale Wayne Brinkmeier Invite (Byron Hills GC - Port Byron)
09/03 - 1:00: at Chillicothe IVC (Arrowhead CC)
09/07 - 4:00: at Rock Island (Highland Springs GC)
09/08 - 4:00: Sterling (Country View GC)
09/11 - 1:00: at Metamora Redbird Classic (Day 1 - Metamora Fields GC)
09/12 - 8:30: at Metamora Redbird Classic (Day 2 - Metamora Fields GC)
09/14 - 1:00: at Ottawa Invite (Deer Park GC - Oglesby)
09/15 - 4:00: Williamsfield (JV Only - Oak Run GC)
09/17 - 3:30: at Alleman & Galesburg (Bunker Links - Galesburg)
09/18 - 1:00: at Pekin Dragon Classic (Day 1 - Lick Creek GC)
09/19 - 8:30: at Pekin Dragon Classic (Day 2 - Lick Creek GC)
09/21 - 9:00: at Western Big 6 Championship (Highland Springs GC - Rock Island)
09/23 - 4:00: at United Township (Golfmohr GC - East Moline)
09/24 - 4:00: Sherrard (Country View GC)
09/26 - 9:00: at Sterling Invitational (Emerald Hill GC)
09/28 - 4:00: at Orion
10/01 - 3:00: GHS Frosh/Soph Invitational (Country View GC)
Lady Leafs
08/17 - 4:00: Sterling (Geneseo CC)
08/19 - 1:00: at Metamora Redbird Classic (Metamora Fields GC)
08/22 - 9:00: at Sterling Invitational (Emerald Hill GC)
08/26 - 4:00: at LaSalle-Peru
09/01 - 4:00: Rock Island & Erie-Prophetstown (Geneseo CC)
09/03 - 4:00: vs Galesburg & Quincy (Lake Bracken GC - Galesburg)
09/08 - 4:00: vs Alleman & Rock Island (Saukie GC - Rock Island)
09/09 - 1:00: GHS Invitational (TPC Deere Run)
09/10 - 4:00: at Metamora
09/15 - 4:00: at Williamsfield (Oak Run GC)
09/16 - 4:00: Alleman & Rock Island (Autograph & Senior Night)
09/17 - 4:00: at Moline (Oakwood CC)
09/19 - 8:00: at Macomb Invitational (Gold Hills GC - Colchester)
09/21 - 9:00: at Western Big 6 Championship (Emerald Hill GC - Sterling)
09/23 - 1:00: at Ottawa Invite (Deer Park GC)
09/26 - 8:00: at Streaks Invitational (Bunker Links)
GMS Boys & Girls
08/13 - 4:15: at Edison
08/19 - 4:15: Washington
08/24 - 4:15: Kewanee Central
08/26 - 4:15: at Seton
2026 Cross Country Schedules
GHS
08/18 - 6:00: Rust Buster
08/24 - 4:30: at Moline Invite
09/01 - 4:00: at Annawan Titan Invite
09/05 - 9:00: at Streaks Invitational
09/19 - 9:00: GHS Invitational
09/26 - 9:00: at Sterling Rock River Run
10/10 - 9:20: at Metamora Runnin' Red Invite
10/15 - 4:00: at Western Big 6 Championship
10/19 - 4:30: at Sterling JV/Frosh Invite
GMS
08/18 - 6:00: Rust Buster
08/26 - 4:15: at Wilson Invite
08/27 - 4:15: at Sterling Grass Relays
09/02 - 4:15: GMS Invite
09/04 - 4:00: at Pleasant Valley Invite
09/14 - 4:45: at Pioneer Invite
09/15 - 4:00: at Erie-Prophetstown Triangular
09/22 - 4:15: at Rock Island Invite
09/25 - 4:00: at Dunlap Invite
09/30 - 4:30: at Heartland Conference Championship
2026 Girls Tennis Schedule
08/22 - 8:00: at Potter Invitational
08/29 - 9:00: at Sterling & UT (at Sterling)
09/01 - 4:00: Galesburg
09/03 - 3:30: at LaSalle-Peru, Alleman, & Ottawa (at LaSalle-Peru - JV Only)
09/03 - 4:00: LaSalle-Peru, Alleman, & Ottawa (Varsity Only)
09/08 - 4:00: at Moline
09/10 - 4:30: Sterling
09/12 - 8:00: GHS JV Invite
09/14 - 4:30: Princeton
09/16 - 4:30: Kewanee
09/19 - 8:00: at Princeton Frosh/Soph Invite
09/19 - 8:30: at Streaks Invitational
09/21 - 4:00: at Alleman
09/23 - 4:30: at Dixon
09/26 - 8:30: at Ottawa Frosh/Soph Invite
09/28 - 4:30: Rock Island
10/03 - 8:00: GHS Frosh/Soph Invite
10/06 - 4:00: United Township
10/09 - 1:00: at Western Big 6 Championship (at UT - Day 1)
10/10 - 10:00: at Western Big 6 Championship (at UT - Day 2)
2026 Boys Soccer Schedules
Varsity
08/20 - 6:00: Green/White Game
08/25 - 5:00: Orion
08/26 - 6:30: Washington
08/29 - 9:00: at Coalers Soccer Shootout
09/01 - 6:00: Quincy
09/03 - 6:00: East Peoria
09/07 - 6:00: Streator
09/08 - 6:00: at Rock Island
09/10 - 6:00: DePue
09/12 - 11:30: Yorkville Christian
09/15 - 6:00: Moline
09/17 - 6:00: Canton
09/22 - 6:00: at United Township
09/26 - 11:30: at Pekin
09/29 - 6:00: Galesburg
10/06 - 6:45: at Sterling
10/08 - 4:30: Macomb
10/13 - 6:00: at Alleman
10/15 - 4:30: Chillicothe IVC
Junior Varsity
08/26 - 5:00: Washington
09/01 - 4:30: Quincy
09/03 - 4:30: East Peoria
09/07 - 4:30: Streator
09/08 - 4:30: at Rock Island
09/10 - 4:30: DePue
09/12 - 10:00: Yorkville Christian
09/15 - 4:30: Moline
09/17 - 4:30: Canton
09/22 - 4:30: at United Township
09/26 - 10:00: at Pekin
09/29 - 4:30: Galesburg
10/06 - 5:15: at Sterling
10/08 - 6:00: Macomb
10/10 - 9:00: at Princeton JV Tournament
10/13 - 4:30: at Alleman
10/15 - 6:00: Chillicothe IVC
2026 Volleyball Schedules
Varsity
08/24 - 6:00: LaSalle-Peru
08/25 - 6:00: Rock Falls
08/29: at Macomb Bomber Classic
09/01 - 6:00: at Morton
09/03 - 7:00: at Rock Island
09/08 - 6:00: at Sterling
09/09 - 6:00: Quincy
09/15 - 6:00: Alleman
09/16 - 6:00: Orion
09/17 - 6:00: at United Township
09/22 - 7:00: at Galesburg
09/24 - 6:00: Moline
09/29 - 6:00: Rock Island
10/01 - 6:00: Sterling
10/03: at Mahomet-Seymour Invite
10/06 - 6:00: at Quincy
10/08 - 7:00: at Alleman
10/13 - 6:00: United Township
10/15 - 6:00: Galesburg
10/17 - 8:30: at Limestone Fall Classic
10/19 - 6:00: at Dixon
10/20 - 6:00: at Moline
10/22 - 6:00: Sherrard
10/24 - 11:00: at Princeton
Sophomores
08/24 - 5:00: LaSalle-Peru
08/25 - 5:00: Rock Falls
09/01 - 5:00: at Morton
09/03 - 6:00: at Rock Island
09/08 - 5:00: at Sterling
09/09 - 5:00: Quincy
09/12 - 8:00: GHS Frosh/Soph Invite
09/15 - 5:00: Alleman
09/16 - 5:00: Orion
09/17 - 5:00: at United Township
09/22 - 6:00: at Galesburg
09/24 - 5:00: Moline
09/26 - 9:00: at Rock Falls Invite
09/29 - 5:00: Rock Island
10/01 - 5:00: Sterling
10/06 - 5:00: at Quincy
10/08 - 6:00: at Alleman
10/13 - 5:00: United Township
10/15 - 5:00: Galesburg
10/19 - 5:00: at Dixon
10/20 - 5:00: at Moline
10/22 - 5:00: Sherrard
Freshmen
08/24 - 5:00: LaSalle-Peru
08/25 - 5:00: Rock Falls
09/01 - 5:00: at Morton
09/03 - 5:00: at Rock Island
09/08 - 5:00: at Sterling
09/09 - 5:00: Quincy
09/12 - 8:00: GHS Frosh/Soph Invite
09/15 - 5:00: Alleman
09/16 - 5:00: Orion
09/17 - 5:00: at United Township
09/22 - 5:00: at Galesburg
09/24 - 5:00: Moline
09/29 - 5:00: Rock Island
10/01 - 5:00: Sterling
10/06 - 5:00: at Quincy
10/08 - 5:00: at Alleman
10/13 - 5:00: United Township
10/15 - 5:00: Galesburg
10/17 - 8:30: at North Scott Frosh Invite
10/19 - 5:00: at Dixon
10/20 - 5:00: at Moline
10/22 - 5:00: Sherrard
GMS White
08/24 - 4:00: at Erie-Prophetstown
08/31 - 4:00: at Edison
09/01 - 4:00: at Colona
09/02 - 4:00: Glenview
09/14 - 4:00: Riverdale
09/17 - 4:00: Wilson
09/21 - 4:00: Washington
09/23 - 4:00: at Dixon Reagan
09/24 - 4:00: at Jordan
09/30 - 4:00: Sterling Challand
10/05 - 4:00: at John Deere
10/06 - 4:00: at Seton
10/12 - 5:30: GMS Green (at GHS)
GMS Green
08/24 - 4:00: at Sterling Challand
08/31 - 4:00: Morrison
09/01 - 4:00: Seton
09/16 - 4:00: at Washington
09/21 - 4:00: at Riverdale
09/22 - 4:00: Edison
09/23 - 4:15: Colona
09/28 - 4:00: Dixon Reagan
09/29 - 4:00: at Glenview
10/01 - 4:00: John Deere
10/05 - 4:00: Jordan
10/07 - 4:00: at Wilson
10/12 - 5:30: GMS White (at GHS)
2026 Football Schedules
Green Machine
08/14 - 5:00: Green/White Game
08/21 - 7:00: at Davenport Assumption
08/28 - 7:00: Rochelle (Legacy & Autograph Night)
09/04 - 7:00: at Rock Island
09/11 - 7:00: Moline (Homecoming & Hall Of Fame Night)
09/18 - 7:00: at United Township
09/25 - 7:00: Galesburg
10/02 - 7:00: at Sterling
10/09: TBA
10/16 - 7:00: Quincy (Senior Night)
Freshmen
08/14 - 5:00: Green/White Game
08/21 - 5:00: at Davenport Assumption
08/28 - 5:00: Rochelle
09/04 - 5:00: at Rock Island
09/11 - 5:00: Moline
09/18 - 5:00: at United Township
09/25 - 5:00: Galesburg
10/02 - 5:00: at Sterling
10/09: TBA
10/16 - 5:00: Quincy
Junior Varsity
08/24 - 5:00: Davenport Assumption
08/31 - 5:00: at Rochelle
09/07 - 5:00: Rock Island
09/14 - 5:00: at Moline
09/21 - 5:00: United Township
09/28 - 5:00: at Galesburg
10/05 - 5:00: Sterling
10/12 - 5:00: Alleman
8th Grade
08/26 - 4:15: Wilson
08/29 - 10:00: at Davenport Assumption
09/02 - 4:15: at Edison
09/10 - 4:15: vs Glenview
09/16 - 4:15: at Seton
09/23 - 4:15: Washington
09/30 - 4:15: John Deere
10/03 - 11:00: Yorkville (at Bob Reade Field)
10/07 - 4:30: at Galesburg
