Suddenly, Geneva’s Leyna Yonehara looked up and saw something out of the ordinary.
The senior central defender then bent the weather and conditions to her own advantage.
“Normally, I like passing the ball,” Yonehara said, which makes perfect sense. “I like to keep possession, do a cut or find a quick move. I looked around and saw all of this space around me.
“I knew I had the wind at my back, so everything was wonderful.”
It led to a wonderful goal Tuesday night in a Tri-Cities Night game at St. Charles North. Yonehara scored in the 65th minute on a 40-yard blast as the Vikings earned a 2-0 victory over Batavia.
Sophomore forward Audrey Stredde also scored in the first half off an assist by senior midfielder Caroline Madden for Geneva (8-5, 2-1).
Junior goalkeeper Reagan Sulaver made six saves for Batavia (6-8-1, 1-3-1).
Yonehara, a three-year starter, moved to the crucial role on defense as a sophomore. The Illinois Institute of Technology recruit plays in tandem with senior Lilly Coats, a Marquette recruit.
The 5-foot-9 Coats marks a distinct stylistic and physical contrast with the 5-4 Yonehara. They helped lead the Vikings to their fourth shutout of the season.
Geneva’s Leyna Yonehara (15) works the ball against Batavia during a Tri-Cities Night game in St. Charles North on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. (James C. Svehla / The Beacon News)
“I started playing that position when I was a sophomore two years ago,” Yonehara said. “It was a little nerve-wracking at first.
“I’ve always played with a taller, more confident central back with me and that has helped settle me down. I’ve just gotten more comfortable playing the position.”
Coats is tall and rangy, while Yonehara is quick and tenacious. The two have a natural rapport.
“Leyna has great composure in the back, and I think my air game is really good,” Coats said. “We both really see the field really well. We have good spatial awareness of where the other person is.
“Communication is a huge part at central defender. We know how to step in for each other.”
Batavia’s Reese Recker, left, and Geneva’s Leyna Yonehara (15) battle near the net during a Tri-Cities Night game in St. Charles North on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. (James C. Svehla / The Beacon News)
Skill, savvy and feel for the game have defined Yonehara and her contributions to the team.
“Leyna has been great for us so far this season,” Geneva coach Megan Owens said. “She has always been a very solid, very composed and very skilled player.
“She’s a great kid and a great leader who is very thoughtful.”
Yonehara began playing the game organizationally at age 5. Her earliest influence was her older brother Shun, a former standout at Geneva who’s now a senior midfielder at Kalamazoo.
“He has always had a huge impact on me and my love of the game,” Yonehara said. “I started playing in the center because that’s where he played — in the midfield.
“I always tried to pattern my game around him because he was always moving around the ball and he had a lot of foot skills and I always mimicked that.”
Geneva’s Leyna Yonehara (15) take control of the ball against Batavia during a Tri-Cities Night game in St. Charles North on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. (James C. Svehla / The Beacon News)
An elite student, Leyna wants to study forensic chemistry in college. She tends toward the rigorous and solitary activities of drawing, reading and coloring.
Her manner takes on a different meaning when it comes to the game she loves.
“I’m definitely more on the shy side, but I love talking on the field and just connecting with my teammates,” Yonehara said. “It’s a great feeling playing this game.
“it helps me step out of the shell of things that I normally occupy on the inside.”
High-level academic achievement and soccer are a natural overlap for her.
“It’s about the determination and drive I have for both,” Yonehara said. “Academically, I always push myself to keep up with my grades. That’s translated to soccer because I’ve always wanted to be successful and achieve as much as I can.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
