Lake Park bids farewell
to quintet of beloved seniors
By Ken Keenan
Entering his fourth season as Lake Park's head coach, Sean Crosby was anxious to see the team's five seniors lead the charge during what looked to be a promising 2020 campaign.
But those hopes were dashed by the COVID-19 pandemic that prevented goalkeeper Lilija Briedis, defenders Sarah Novak and Olivia Wroblewski, defender/midfielder Sophie Giron and forward Lilli Giron from taking the field for a final go-round in Lancers uniforms.
Rather than focusing on what could have been, or wallowing in self-pity, Crosby said the veteran quintet is doing its best to deal with the situation in a positive manner while also looking ahead.
"In the brief contact I've had with them since the cancellation of the season, there was no doom and gloom when we talked," Crosby said. "They all have great attitudes and are keeping things in perspective. This senior group, they can't return to the high school soccer field, so there's definitely a level of frustration. But they're keeping a positive attitude."
Crosby continued: "They're all talented, well-rounded people ... very level-headed. We wish we could have had them on the field this year. They feel regret, sure. But it's not the end of the world. They're each looking forward to life after high school, and they'll continue to support Lake Park after high school. I'm so happy with this group."
Each of the five seniors will continue their education at the next level, and at least three will play college soccer as well. The identical Giron twins are set to keep playing at Marian University (Div. III), in Fond du Lac, Wis., and Briedis plans to play at Harper College before eventually transferring to a university.
Novak will attend the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and likely join a club team. Wroblewski will concentrate on pursuing a business degree at the University of Wisconsin, in Madison.
"Five (Class of 2020) Lake Park grads all going on to pursue higher education; they're all taking their talents to different environments ... pursuing the next phase of life," Crosby said. "There's a lot to be discouraged about with this season, but they'll always be welcomed back to support the program. So their legacy is to continue beyond high school and continue to provide great alumni representation."
Added Crosby: "This a really tough time, and we certainly feel for them. I'm sure they're all going through their own grieving process. But it's out of their control, and they seem to be taking it as mature young adults and great leaders. There's a lot of negative places your head can go. But you have to keep a positive mindset. It's a missed opportunity. You wish you could get it back. But there will be other opportunities."
Briedis won't soon forget her first opportunity to contribute at the varsity level, which came during PepsiCo Showdown action in 2019. After starting Lake Park keeper Sarah Yochem was sidelined with an injury, Briedis was summoned from the JV squad to step between the pipes in a match against St. Laurence.
"I ended up learning about it the night before," Briedis recalled. "That next morning, I was actually kind of sick to my stomach. I had been on JV, and Sarah Yochem, that was big shoes to fill. On the bus, the coaches, said, 'Just do your best.' During the game, I got into the flow of it."
Briedis didn't flinch, and the score stayed knotted at 0-0 throughout the match, requiring a penalty kick session to determine the outcome.
"At the end, I didn't know it would be PKs, so I was not prepared mentally," Briedis said.
But she responded, and the Lancers prevailed 4-2 in the shootout to win the match, triggering a wild celebration.
"The whole team came running out and group hugging, jumping," Briedis said. "It's the best memory of my high school career. I felt so much support and love from my teammates at that moment."
Crosby clearly remembers the moment as well, adding that Briedis ended up recording three of the team's four victories down the stretch last year.
"That St. Laurence game, she stands in goal at 0-0 the whole game, and then PKs," Crosby said. "To feel those nerves and overcome them, and then to be engulfed in celebration, I'm happy she got to experience that."
Crosby continued: "We had high expectations for her this year. To see her grow, from a very timid freshman into preseason this year -- leading fitness drills, pushing herself -- you could tell she had the desire to show her strengths senior year. You feel she's been robbed of that opportunity. But I'm glad she has the memory of last year, how she stepped in fearlessly and single-handedly won the PK shootout."
Briedis said, "I was excited for this season. I finally had the confidence to take on the (goalkeeper) position. In preseason, I was practicing my communication skills to be a strong voice on the field, and I was very excited to take on the responsibility of being a role model for the underclass to look up to."
Novak, who departs Lake Park with two varsity campaigns under her belt, said she's been balancing online schoolwork and studying for ACT exams with daily runs or walks with the family dog as ways to cope with being locked down at home. She also constructed a wooden stool, harkening back to a woods class she enjoyed as a sophomore.
"I want to keep my mind busy all day and not think about (the lost season)," Novak said. "We can't do anything about it, so we can't dwell on it. Dwell on the positives. Next year, the (returning) team, they'll know the privilege they have -- to have a season -- because you never know when you could lose a season."
Novak continued: "If we knew this was going to happen, we would have cherished our last practice together ... appreciated it more."
Crosby said he appreciated Novak's consistent effort as a top defender for the Lancers during her two seasons on the varsity squad. He also fondly recalled Novak's key contribution in Lake Park's 2-0 win over Glenbard North in 2019, the team's first league victory in the initial season of DuKane Conference play.
"She scored the second goal to put the game away," Crosby said. "That stands out. She's a very selfless teammate and selfless defender -- one of the hardest workers on the team. So for her to have that moment, it outshines the defender position. Usually a forward or midfielder scores."
Away from the field, Novak said her favorite memories as a Lancer are centered around the team's various pasta parties, when soccer took a backseat to good ol' fun and games.
"At practice, it's all soccer," Novak said. "Having the pasta parties, we learned about our teammates and got closer as a team. It was a time to just hang out with teammates."
Briedis said, "Everyone would come together, eat and have fun. It was a way for us to become a family -- socially, not just with soccer. My teammates mean a lot to me. We've grown the chemistry, not only as soccer players but as friends."
As the team's skipper for four years, Crosby has been along for the ride since each of the five seniors were freshmen.
"This group, they're very close socially -- not just the seniors," he said. "Just as much as missing competing on the soccer field, they miss being part of a close group. We miss that as a coaching staff as well. It's a huge part of what we do, building those relationships. It's a tight-knit family ... more than just a soccer team."
In addition to acknowledging Briedis and Novak, Crosby offered his thoughts on Wroblewski and the Giron sisters as well.
"Olivia (Wroblewski) came in with not much soccer background at all," Crosby said. "But she came to tryouts, and to watch her grow into one of our best center backs, and a leader, is really cool to see. It shows her commitment, dedication and passion -- for the sport and her team.
"Lili and Sophie (Giron), they came with strong soccer backgrounds ... tremendous love for the game and passion for the sport. And they're both great teammates. They have your back in games, and they smile ear-to-ear when teammates have success."
Added Crosby: "I'll look back at this group as a spark plug to raise our level of competition. The offseason training, all-year long, the younger girls look up to them and see that is what leads to success. These seniors left that footprint. Who knows what the results would have been this year, but we know we would have been much more competitive.
"They've been dealt a tough deck of cards. They don't get to leave their stamp on the field this year. But they were significant leaders in our program, 365 days a year. I'm thoroughly impressed and prideful ... grateful to have had them in our program."
to quintet of beloved seniors
By Ken Keenan
Entering his fourth season as Lake Park's head coach, Sean Crosby was anxious to see the team's five seniors lead the charge during what looked to be a promising 2020 campaign.
But those hopes were dashed by the COVID-19 pandemic that prevented goalkeeper Lilija Briedis, defenders Sarah Novak and Olivia Wroblewski, defender/midfielder Sophie Giron and forward Lilli Giron from taking the field for a final go-round in Lancers uniforms.
Rather than focusing on what could have been, or wallowing in self-pity, Crosby said the veteran quintet is doing its best to deal with the situation in a positive manner while also looking ahead.
"In the brief contact I've had with them since the cancellation of the season, there was no doom and gloom when we talked," Crosby said. "They all have great attitudes and are keeping things in perspective. This senior group, they can't return to the high school soccer field, so there's definitely a level of frustration. But they're keeping a positive attitude."
Crosby continued: "They're all talented, well-rounded people ... very level-headed. We wish we could have had them on the field this year. They feel regret, sure. But it's not the end of the world. They're each looking forward to life after high school, and they'll continue to support Lake Park after high school. I'm so happy with this group."
Each of the five seniors will continue their education at the next level, and at least three will play college soccer as well. The identical Giron twins are set to keep playing at Marian University (Div. III), in Fond du Lac, Wis., and Briedis plans to play at Harper College before eventually transferring to a university.
Novak will attend the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and likely join a club team. Wroblewski will concentrate on pursuing a business degree at the University of Wisconsin, in Madison.
"Five (Class of 2020) Lake Park grads all going on to pursue higher education; they're all taking their talents to different environments ... pursuing the next phase of life," Crosby said. "There's a lot to be discouraged about with this season, but they'll always be welcomed back to support the program. So their legacy is to continue beyond high school and continue to provide great alumni representation."
Added Crosby: "This a really tough time, and we certainly feel for them. I'm sure they're all going through their own grieving process. But it's out of their control, and they seem to be taking it as mature young adults and great leaders. There's a lot of negative places your head can go. But you have to keep a positive mindset. It's a missed opportunity. You wish you could get it back. But there will be other opportunities."
Briedis won't soon forget her first opportunity to contribute at the varsity level, which came during PepsiCo Showdown action in 2019. After starting Lake Park keeper Sarah Yochem was sidelined with an injury, Briedis was summoned from the JV squad to step between the pipes in a match against St. Laurence.
"I ended up learning about it the night before," Briedis recalled. "That next morning, I was actually kind of sick to my stomach. I had been on JV, and Sarah Yochem, that was big shoes to fill. On the bus, the coaches, said, 'Just do your best.' During the game, I got into the flow of it."
Briedis didn't flinch, and the score stayed knotted at 0-0 throughout the match, requiring a penalty kick session to determine the outcome.
"At the end, I didn't know it would be PKs, so I was not prepared mentally," Briedis said.
But she responded, and the Lancers prevailed 4-2 in the shootout to win the match, triggering a wild celebration.
"The whole team came running out and group hugging, jumping," Briedis said. "It's the best memory of my high school career. I felt so much support and love from my teammates at that moment."
Crosby clearly remembers the moment as well, adding that Briedis ended up recording three of the team's four victories down the stretch last year.
"That St. Laurence game, she stands in goal at 0-0 the whole game, and then PKs," Crosby said. "To feel those nerves and overcome them, and then to be engulfed in celebration, I'm happy she got to experience that."
Crosby continued: "We had high expectations for her this year. To see her grow, from a very timid freshman into preseason this year -- leading fitness drills, pushing herself -- you could tell she had the desire to show her strengths senior year. You feel she's been robbed of that opportunity. But I'm glad she has the memory of last year, how she stepped in fearlessly and single-handedly won the PK shootout."
Briedis said, "I was excited for this season. I finally had the confidence to take on the (goalkeeper) position. In preseason, I was practicing my communication skills to be a strong voice on the field, and I was very excited to take on the responsibility of being a role model for the underclass to look up to."
Novak, who departs Lake Park with two varsity campaigns under her belt, said she's been balancing online schoolwork and studying for ACT exams with daily runs or walks with the family dog as ways to cope with being locked down at home. She also constructed a wooden stool, harkening back to a woods class she enjoyed as a sophomore.
"I want to keep my mind busy all day and not think about (the lost season)," Novak said. "We can't do anything about it, so we can't dwell on it. Dwell on the positives. Next year, the (returning) team, they'll know the privilege they have -- to have a season -- because you never know when you could lose a season."
Novak continued: "If we knew this was going to happen, we would have cherished our last practice together ... appreciated it more."
Crosby said he appreciated Novak's consistent effort as a top defender for the Lancers during her two seasons on the varsity squad. He also fondly recalled Novak's key contribution in Lake Park's 2-0 win over Glenbard North in 2019, the team's first league victory in the initial season of DuKane Conference play.
"She scored the second goal to put the game away," Crosby said. "That stands out. She's a very selfless teammate and selfless defender -- one of the hardest workers on the team. So for her to have that moment, it outshines the defender position. Usually a forward or midfielder scores."
Away from the field, Novak said her favorite memories as a Lancer are centered around the team's various pasta parties, when soccer took a backseat to good ol' fun and games.
"At practice, it's all soccer," Novak said. "Having the pasta parties, we learned about our teammates and got closer as a team. It was a time to just hang out with teammates."
Briedis said, "Everyone would come together, eat and have fun. It was a way for us to become a family -- socially, not just with soccer. My teammates mean a lot to me. We've grown the chemistry, not only as soccer players but as friends."
As the team's skipper for four years, Crosby has been along for the ride since each of the five seniors were freshmen.
"This group, they're very close socially -- not just the seniors," he said. "Just as much as missing competing on the soccer field, they miss being part of a close group. We miss that as a coaching staff as well. It's a huge part of what we do, building those relationships. It's a tight-knit family ... more than just a soccer team."
In addition to acknowledging Briedis and Novak, Crosby offered his thoughts on Wroblewski and the Giron sisters as well.
"Olivia (Wroblewski) came in with not much soccer background at all," Crosby said. "But she came to tryouts, and to watch her grow into one of our best center backs, and a leader, is really cool to see. It shows her commitment, dedication and passion -- for the sport and her team.
"Lili and Sophie (Giron), they came with strong soccer backgrounds ... tremendous love for the game and passion for the sport. And they're both great teammates. They have your back in games, and they smile ear-to-ear when teammates have success."
Added Crosby: "I'll look back at this group as a spark plug to raise our level of competition. The offseason training, all-year long, the younger girls look up to them and see that is what leads to success. These seniors left that footprint. Who knows what the results would have been this year, but we know we would have been much more competitive.
"They've been dealt a tough deck of cards. They don't get to leave their stamp on the field this year. But they were significant leaders in our program, 365 days a year. I'm thoroughly impressed and prideful ... grateful to have had them in our program."