After the departure of key players, senior forward Gabe Barwiolek shoulder the scoring responsibility for Geneva. Last year, Caleb Kelly and Ben Murphy scored 39 goals. Now, Barwiolek leads with six.
Barwiolek stated, “I don’t feel pressure. I have high expectations, and I didn’t meet them last year. This is my year.” New coach Blake Hughes, formerly with Timothy Christian, liked what he saw in the season opener against Waubonsie Valley.
Three minutes into the match, Barwiolek scored, later adding a penalty to secure a 2-1 win. Waubonsie’s Yasser Gomez netted their goal during a celebration for the renovated Dick Kerner Stadium.
Hughes anticipated Barwiolek’s performance, saying, “He’s fantastic. After training in Spain, he is a key to Geneva’s success.” Barwiolek’s goal came swiftly, kicking in a rebound during the game.
Speaking about the goal, he said, “I saw a header land at my feet, heard ‘shoot,’ and it went in. It felt amazing.” Waubonsie tied later, with Gomez scoring close to the net. Coach Jose Garcia praised Gomez’s skill and energy on the field.
A foul resulted in Barwiolek scoring the decisive penalty in the second half. Hughes anticipates this level of play all season, highlighting Barwiolek’s technical skill.
Hughes noted, “His control and movement are impressive. He reads the game well, understanding where pressure is and acting without direction. It’s fantastic to watch.”
Barwiolek also participated in the Soccer Dreams Travel Pro Tour in Spain. “The experience was amazing,” he said. “Training worldwide made unforgettable memories.”
In the opener, Hughes emphasized goals, stating, “He must aim for at least 25 goals for a successful season. Our team is young, mostly sophomores.”
Paul Johnson reports for The Beacon-News.