The voice of West Aurora’s Baylee Geni is cool and authoritative, with perfect pitch and volume.
From her position, the senior outside defender also has an ideal perspective to see and feel every aspect of the game.
“I’ve definitely become more of a leader in using my voice,” Geni said afterward. “My freshman year, I was so quiet and scared — I don’t think I said a single word.
“Now, I’m the one who’s talking and you hear me a lot more.”
Geni made her presence felt Tuesday night against junior midfielder Ximena Magana to key the host Blackhawks to a 4-1 Upstate Eight West victory over Elgin in Aurora.
Sophomore forward Giselle Perez scored three goals and junior midfielder McKenzie Pearch added a goal for West Aurora (11-2-1, 5-0).
Sophomore midfielder Michelle Ayala scored Elgin (15-3-1, 2-3). However, the strong defensive play of Geni helped neutralize Magana, who entered the game with 19 goals and 10 assists.
West Aurora’s defense has recorded more shutouts with nine than goals allowed with eight. Geni, a Waubonsee recruit, has started every game and played almost every minute this season.
“It was fun to watch Magana play,” Geni said. “She’s a very talented player and it was fun to battle against her. I always think of myself as a very clean player. I just wait for their mistakes and honestly look to break them down.
“You want to stop the other team from scoring and give everyone up the field an opportunity. Any goals we have come from the defensive line on the field.”
Defenders in soccer are tasked with preventing goals but also start the offensive attack. West Aurora coach Jorge Espana said Geni has made dramatic strides in that part of her game.
“One of the conversations we had last year was that we really struggled connecting the attack from the outside,” he said. “Seeing her from last year to this year, Baylee has really improved her technical skills to read the game and know how to anticipate plays.
“She is a big part of our ability to connect with the outside midfielders.”
Geni’s ability to blend the physical and technical have marked her value to the team, according to James Madison-bound senior midfielder Olivia Del Toro.
“Baylee has that great mentality of not letting anything by her,” said Del Toro, who chipped in with an assist Tuesday. “She understands the mentality of attacking players who are trying to get defenders off guard and score.
“She’s a very fun and highly energized person. She’s always positive, very encouraging and supportive.”
After running cross country her first three years, Geni took a leap of faith and tried flag football in the fall. Her defensive instincts in her preferred sport carried over.
“I played safety, so the farthest back defender, which is a lot like my position here,” she said. “I was able to use my hands, but it was the same style of play, just getting your body in there and intercepting the ball.
“I’ve got long legs and I’m very good at getting my body in between all of the other players.”
Before the game, Geni and Del Toro were part of six players who celebrated senior night in a special ceremony. It gave her a moment to reflect upon her career with the Blackhawks.
“It felt a little bittersweet, honestly,” she said. “A good win felt very nice, but I’m also sad that the season is coming to an end. The four years have gone by super fast.
“I’ve grown so much more comfortable with the other girls, knowing they’ll welcome me and hear what I have to say and listen to me rather than attacking me for what I’m saying.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
