At a sturdy 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, Jack Hatton knows his role for Geneva.

The senior midfielder spends most of his time just being a fly in the ointment.

“I’m here to cause havoc and make tackles,” Hatton said.

In Tuesday’s DuKane Conference finale at St. Charles North, however, Hatton took on a different role. He scored his first two goals of the season for the Vikings in a 3-1 win.

St. Charles North could have won the conference title with a victory, but the loss coupled with St. Charles East’s win Tuesday gave the title to the Saints.

Trent Giansanti scored the other goal for Geneva (12-5-2, 5-1-1). Walter Delapaz scored the lone goal for St. Charles North (10-6, 5-2).

Hatton said he’s usually congratulating forwards like Giansanti after their goals. Tuesday, it was his turn.

“These are my first two,” Hatton said. “It’s fun to go celebrate.”

Geneva coach Jason Bhatta is glad to have Hatton filling his normal slot on the team but was also pleased to see him get into the scoring column.

“He brings a physical presence for us,” Bhatta said. “That’s what we rely on. I’m happy for him to get some goals at the end. Technically, he’s good. We want him to play.

“But on the other side of the ball, he’s just big and strong, and it’s hard to play against kids like that.”

Geneva dominated the first half, not allowing a shot on goal. Hatton provided the reward with seven minutes left. Reece Leonard fired a corner kick and Hatton got a touch on it for the goal.

After the North Stasrs cut the lead to 2-1 in the second half, Hatton connected again for his second goal with 13:33 left to play to put the game away.

“He’s been waiting for that all year,” Bhatta said. “The first one, we thought Liam (O’Donoghue) got it. The second one was great. It was a quick counter, and then he took one touch and slotted it.”

The North Stars entered with a chance to win the conference title but couldn’t get untracked in the first half.

“We’re not looking to learn lessons at this point in the season, but if you have to, you have to,” St. Charles North coach Eric Willson said. “This is a lesson we have to learn before it comes to the most important part a week from now.”

After Giansanti put in a rebound to give Geneva a 2-0 lead in the second half, Delapaz kept the North Stars in the game. He converted a 20-yard shot with 17:43 left .

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“There were a couple guys that made a couple plays,” Willson said. “When you have quick speed of play and it’s one touch, it’s good. It was Walter being Walter, but we can’t always rely on him.

“Other guys have to make some plays as well.”

Following a disappointing 3-0 loss to St. Charles East that took the DuKane Conference race out of their hands, the Vikings bounced back at the right time of the season.

“If we went down to both St. Charles schools before the playoffs, I know the boys’ mood wouldn’t be good,” Bhatta said. “That would have been tough. No better way to end the regular season.”

Bhatta is also eager to see Hatton get back to his physical ways in the postseason. The Vikings host a regional next Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. beginning with Wheaton Warrenville South.

“Usually his role, he’s a big kid and he’s strong,” Bhatta said of Hatton. “So, it’s just annoying to play against him.”

Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.