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The Geneseo Maple Leafs picked up their first win of the season Tuesday, defeating Rock Falls in straight sets.
Geneseo controlled both sets by identical scores, earning a 25-17, 25-17 victory over the Rockets.
The win evened the Maple Leafs’ record at 1-1 following their season-opening three-set loss to LaSalle-Peru.
The Maple Leafs’ next home match is Wednesday, Sept. 9, against Quincy, with play scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
Geneseo boys golf placed ninth at the TPC Deere Run Invite, competing against a strong field at the championship golf course in Silvis.
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Geneseo opened its 2026 volleyball season Monday with a close three-set loss to LaSalle-Peru.
The Maple Leafs fell 25-21 in the opening set before responding with a 25-22 victory in the second to force a deciding third set. LaSalle-Peru took the final set 25-21, handing Geneseo a 2-1 loss in its home opener.
The loss puts Geneseo at 0-1 to begin the season.
The Maple Leafs won't have to wait long for another opportunity. Geneseo returns to its home court Tuesday, Aug. 25, when it hosts Rock Falls. The varsity match is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Geneseo’s Lady Leafs opened the cross country season with an individual victory and a runner-up team finish Monday, Aug. 24, at the Moline Early Season Opener at Empire Park in Hampton.
Senior Brooklyn Smith led the way, winning the varsity 3-mile race in 18:46.
Junior Evelyn DeBaene joined her near the front of the field, placing third overall in 19:27, a personal-best performance.
The strong finishes continued through Geneseo’s scoring lineup. Junior Alivia Brown placed 11th in 21:19, sophomore Charlize Wachtel was 18th in 21:57, and senior Ayla Schultz finished 27th in 22:34.
Those five performances gave the Lady Leafs 60 points and second place in the nine-team field.
Geneseo also received finishes from Genevieve Talley in 25:52, Stella Allison in 26:24, Zania Sefton in 27:50, Sofia Encabo-Alonso in 31:57, Hanna Pirog in 32:29, Keely Henry in 33:04, Baylen Poffenberger in 33:59 and Tiffany Helton in 36:46.
Several Lady Leafs recorded personal-best times at the opener. DeBaene, Talley, Sefton, Encabo-Alonso, Pirog, Henry, Poffenberger and Helton were each listed with personal bests in the official results.
Geneseo finished the day with two runners in the top three, three in the top 11 and four in the top 20, providing a strong start to the season for the Lady Leafs.
1. Brooklyn Smith — 18:46
3. Evelyn DeBaene — 19:27 (PB)
11. Alivia Brown — 21:19
18. Charlize Wachtel — 21:57
27. Ayla Schultz — 22:34
Genevieve Talley — 25:52 (PB)
Stella Allison — 26:24
Zania Sefton — 27:50 (PB)
Sofia Encabo-Alonso — 31:57 (PB)
Hanna Pirog — 32:29 (PB)
Keely Henry — 33:04 (PB)
Baylen Poffenberger — 33:59 (PB)
Tiffany Helton — 36:46 (PB)
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.
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
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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)
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
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
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
