The Galesburg girls soccer team continued its upward trajectory by capturing the East Peoria Invitational championship March 19-20, marking a milestone in the program’s growth.
The Silver Streaks went undefeated in tournament play, posting three shutout victories: a 5-0 win over Limestone, a 7-0 defeat of host East Peoria and a 6-0 decision against Lincoln.
The title reflects steady progress under coach Jessica Jones. Galesburg finished fifth in the tournament in 2024 and improved to third in 2025 before claiming the championship this season.
“This was a big start for GHS girls soccer,” Jones said. “Winning first this year was a huge effort and a giant step forward for the talent on the team.”
Galesburg’s attack was led by Madalyn Lardi, who scored nine goals in the tournament, and Haleigh Jezek-Irle, who added six. Latifa Ben Younes, Grace Hansen and Valeria Chavez each scored once as the Streaks totaled 18 goals across three matches.
Defensively, the Streaks allowed no goals. The back line of Christina Swan, Hansen, Delilah Gregory and Brooke Fell anchored what Jones described as an “impenetrable” unit.
Four players earned all-tournament honors: Lardi, Swan, Haleigh Jezek-Irle and Jayme Jezek-Irle.
Galesburg (3-0) opens Western Big 6 Conference play at 6 p.m. March 24 at home against United Township and returns to East Peoria at 5 p.m. March 26.
Galesburg opened its season by hosting the inaugural Silver Streak Baseball Invitational at Sundberg Field, finishing 1-3 but showing offensive potential throughout the weekend.
The Silver Streaks began with a 15-2 win over Sherrard on March 20, using an 11-run third inning to break the game open. Nicolas Ojeda capped the scoring with a three-run home run, while Hayden Ralston added two doubles. Caden Riley earned the win, striking out five over three innings.
Galesburg’s most competitive game came in an 8-7 extra-inning loss to Rockridge on March 21. The Streaks rallied from a 7-3 deficit, scoring four runs in the sixth to tie the game before Rockridge pushed across the go-ahead run in the eighth.
Caden Riley led the offense with two hits and three stolen bases, while Ojeda drove in two runs. Galesburg stole seven bases in the game.
The Streaks also dropped a 4-2 decision to East Peoria despite getting two hits from Alfred Ayala, and fell 14-10 to Macomb in a high-scoring finale. Galesburg totaled 13 hits against Macomb, with five players recording multiple hits.
Now 1-3, Galesburg travels to Metamora for a 4:30 p.m. game before heading to Knoxville, Tennessee, for a four-game set in the Irish Royal Classic.
Galesburg softball is 1-4 after dropping three games over the weekend, but players and coaches pointed to clear signs of progress.
The Silver Streaks’ strongest performance came in a 10-5 loss to Monmouth-Roseville on March 20. Galesburg collected 15 hits, with Layla Schepler going 4 for 4 with two RBIs. Mary Moore added two hits, including a triple, and Tamryn Davis drove in two runs.
A seven-run third inning proved decisive, but Galesburg responded with runs in the fourth and seventh innings.
“That one big inning seems to be a theme,” coach Andrea Sampson said. “We’ve got to find a way to stop that bleeding.”
Players said the team is showing improvement compared to last season.
“Last year we’d be down big early and kind of give up,” pitcher Taylor Lee said. “This year we’re keeping games close longer.”
Galesburg dropped both games of a March 21 doubleheader at Metamora, falling 16-1 and 10-1.
The Streaks return to action with games at Knoxville and Limestone before hosting West Central on March 26.
Carl Sandburg College opened Arrowhead Conference play by sweeping Kishwaukee on March 21 before dropping both games of a doubleheader against Rock Valley on March 22.
The Chargers rallied for a 13-11 win in the opener against Kishwaukee, using a six-run sixth inning fueled by three home runs from Braley Burford, Carter Ramsey and Chuck Hathaway. Burford finished 4 for 5.
Sandburg completed the sweep with a 9-3 win behind six strong innings from Nathan Hill, who allowed two runs and struck out six.
Rock Valley responded with an 8-4 extra-inning win and a 15-4 victory in five innings to split the weekend.
Sandburg returns to action Tuesday at Kishwaukee.
Carl Sandburg softball dropped a pair of games to No. 6-ranked Joliet Junior College in its home opener March 21, falling 12-5 and 20-3.
Sandburg briefly took a 5-4 lead in the opener behind a two-run single from Emma Racke, who led the Chargers with two RBIs. Joliet responded with late offense to pull away.
Racke again drove in two runs in the second game, while Hannah Pyle and Madalynn Knapp each contributed extra-base hits.
Sandburg returns to action at 2 p.m. March 24 against Highland.
Knox College went 1-3 over the weekend at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational, highlighted by a 10-inning, 7-6 win over Carleton.
The Prairie Fire carried a 6-2 lead into the ninth before Carleton tied the game, but Knox responded in the 10th when Tyler Kemp delivered an RBI single to score Miles Hoops.
Shannon Patrick earned the win in relief, retiring the side in order in the bottom of the inning.
Clayton Rice led Knox with four hits and two RBIs.
Knox (2-13) concludes its Florida trip Monday against Union.
Knox softball closed its Florida trip with four losses over March 21-22, falling to Union, Trinity, Oberlin and Luther.
Taylor Goudschaal recorded two hits against Oberlin and drove in a run against Union, while Cheyanne Merkel and Kylie Thomson each contributed RBIs during the weekend.
Knox (3-7) returns home to host Maranatha Baptist on March 28 and travels to Westminster on March 29.
