Lyons pride lifts seniors Blake, Kracker
By Dave Owen
When Lyons seniors look back on their soccer careers, the 2019 trip to state won’t be the only unforgettable ride.
“I am so grateful to have been a part of a program that cares about its players so much,” senior defender Nora Blake said. “Just recently, the coaches and younger players organized a ‘Senior Day’ in which they drove by the houses of the seniors and honored us. It was such a special day.
“All of the coaches from the program and the non-seniors went to each senior's house and drove by, stopping for a little to give a goody bag, senior poster, and a T-shirt.
"My teammates had a ton of energy: they were playing music and cheering," Blake added. "I had the opportunity to talk with all of my past coaches in the program. It totally made my day. The heartfelt gesture proved the close-knit and family-like atmosphere of the LT soccer program.”
Literally going the extra mile to honor seniors who had their final prep seasons denied by the COVID-19 shutdown is just one part of an elite program.
In their first varsity seasons last spring, Blake and fellow senior defender Peri Kracker experienced an on-field example: the ability to produce big things against all odds.
Rewind to March of 2019, when Blake and Kracker had earned starting defender spots.
The Lions rolled to a 6-0-1 start, allowing just one goal in that span. But the squad in general and two defenders in particular were soon tested.
“The whole team suffered a lot of injuries early last season, so we learned to readjust quickly,” Kracker said. “Nora Blake and I, who were both starting defenders, had ankle injuries at the same time and the other defenders stepped up to fill our spots while we were out.”
Blake and Kracker were both in the starting lineup for one of the most impressive defensive efforts of the early season, a 0-0 draw with Waubonsie Valley on March 21.
But both were sidelined by mid-April.
“My injury and loss of some of the season stings the most for me,” Blake said. “Like any other injured athlete, it was really hard to be on the sidelines when all you want to be doing is contributing.
“However, we were lucky to have such a strong team and so other teammates were able to step up to help to get the job done, allowing us to have such a successful season.”
While both Kracker and Blake would soon return to action, the injuries were just starting.
A particularly devastating blow came 11 games into the season, when two-year starting goalkeeper Sophie Grabis suffered a torn ACL.
Then to add injury to injury, top senior defender Grace Truax would also be sidelined for the season a few weeks later.
Just as playoff time beckoned, the Lions had reason to be reeling. Instead, backup goalkeeper Cara Perez and an ever-changing defensive unit carried on towards a memorable finish.
“Our team faced a lot of adversity,” Blake said, “more so than many other teams that I have been on.
“Sophie’s injury was definitely a setback, because she was such a leader and core part of the team. Grace’s injury had the same effect as well, because she was a key member of our defensive line.”
But the Lions carried on.
“By the time Sophie and Grace both got injured towards the end of the season,” Kracker said, “I think we had already learned how to work as a team. And as a defensive unit, how to adjust and make sure we stayed as competitive as possible, no matter who was missing from our usual lineup.”
That showed in shutouts of Downers Grove North and Glenbard West late in the regular season.
Then in the postseason, wins over Kennedy, Morton and Downers South set up what would be a hard-fought sectional final.
“If I had to pick one specific game, I would say our win vs. Whitney Young in the sectional final was a turning point,” Kracker said. “They were a very tough team, and they pushed us hard to the end.
“They tied the game 1-1 in the second half, which put the pressure on us to respond and not lose energy.”
Current University of Illinois player Eileen Murphy’s free kick goal late in regulation produced the 2-1 win.
“‘Rusty’ (Murphy) scored the winning goal on a free kick play we’d been wanting to use all season,” Kracker said. “As a team, we responded very well to their pressure, and finished with a win which gave us the momentum and confidence we needed as state neared.”
The state semifinals became a reality three days later, when Lyons beat Andrew 2-1 at supersectionals.
“Even though some people may have doubted our team because of how many injuries we had,” Kracker said, “we were able to overcome all of those obstacles and still make it to state.”
Blake credited program pride and the heroics of one player in particular as difference-makers.
“The LT program is such a strong and competitive program,” she said. “It forces each player at all levels to perform their best in order to gain a spot on the field. I was impressed by each member of our team’s commitment to individual excellence.
“Quitting was never really an option for us,” Blake said, “and that mentality got us through all of the adversity.
“Also, it is important to mention Eileen Murphy,” Blake added. “She was the key to the team, and we could not have gotten as far as we did without her.”
As if reaching state for the first time since 2006 wasn’t impressive enough, the Lions pushed eventual Class 3A champion Naperville North to penalty kicks in the semifinals (leading 1-0 at one time and tied 1-1 after regulation and two overtimes).
While Lyons eventually placed fourth at state, a memorable example of overcoming adversity had been achieved.
“Everyone was strong and hard-working on their own,” Blake said, “as you have to be to get to the varsity level. Then, on the field, that individual excellence translated to a great team chemistry. We all played really well together.”
Having achieved so much against such odds in 2019, the Lions’ seniors were denied the chance to build on those accomplishments when COVID-19 prevented the 2020 season from starting.
“It’s really tough having the season cancelled,” said Blake, who will study finance at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and possibly play club or intramural soccer.
“As a senior, it’s a little heartbreaking to lose this season,” Blake said, “because it was supposed to be the culmination of a lot of work, training, and sacrifice.
“From a team standpoint, I’m disappointed that this year’s team did not get the opportunity it deserved. I had a lot of confidence that this season could have mirrored the previous year’s success.”
The despair of this spring has indeed impacted Blake’s past, present and future in soccer.
“During this time (of the shutdown), I have really missed the game and the thrill of playing,” she said. “Had I known my last game (the 2019 state third place match) was my last game, I would have approached it with more appreciation.
“That feeling of my unawareness to my last moments of soccer has motivated me to re-look at my options to play club in college, which I wasn’t considering as much before this.”
Kracker will attend the University of Virginia, studying nursing at the school founded 200 years ago by Thomas Jefferson. But she has no plans for a declaration of independence from the pitch.
“I plan to stay involved in the game through either club soccer or intramurals,” Kracker said, “because soccer has been such a huge part of my life until now, and I don’t think I’m ready to let that go.”
Her high school experiences feed that urge to play on.
“Being a part of the LT soccer program for the last four years has been absolutely amazing,” Kracker said. “I’ve learned so much about hard work, friendship, and what it means to be a part of a team.
“For example, I had to step outside of my own comfort zone and move from midfield to defense in order to best serve the team.”
But it’s the personal ties formed that have probably meant the most to her.
“I’ve met people I never would have met if it wasn’t for LT soccer,” Kracker said. “My LT teammates are now some of my best friends. They’re like family to me.
“It’s obviously difficult to know that this chapter of my life is over, because soccer has been such a consistent and enjoyable part of my life for the past 12 years. But I’ll never forget any of the memories or friends I’ve made. I will definitely miss the LT girls soccer community, but I’m excited to see what my future holds.”
By Dave Owen
When Lyons seniors look back on their soccer careers, the 2019 trip to state won’t be the only unforgettable ride.
“I am so grateful to have been a part of a program that cares about its players so much,” senior defender Nora Blake said. “Just recently, the coaches and younger players organized a ‘Senior Day’ in which they drove by the houses of the seniors and honored us. It was such a special day.
“All of the coaches from the program and the non-seniors went to each senior's house and drove by, stopping for a little to give a goody bag, senior poster, and a T-shirt.
"My teammates had a ton of energy: they were playing music and cheering," Blake added. "I had the opportunity to talk with all of my past coaches in the program. It totally made my day. The heartfelt gesture proved the close-knit and family-like atmosphere of the LT soccer program.”
Literally going the extra mile to honor seniors who had their final prep seasons denied by the COVID-19 shutdown is just one part of an elite program.
In their first varsity seasons last spring, Blake and fellow senior defender Peri Kracker experienced an on-field example: the ability to produce big things against all odds.
Rewind to March of 2019, when Blake and Kracker had earned starting defender spots.
The Lions rolled to a 6-0-1 start, allowing just one goal in that span. But the squad in general and two defenders in particular were soon tested.
“The whole team suffered a lot of injuries early last season, so we learned to readjust quickly,” Kracker said. “Nora Blake and I, who were both starting defenders, had ankle injuries at the same time and the other defenders stepped up to fill our spots while we were out.”
Blake and Kracker were both in the starting lineup for one of the most impressive defensive efforts of the early season, a 0-0 draw with Waubonsie Valley on March 21.
But both were sidelined by mid-April.
“My injury and loss of some of the season stings the most for me,” Blake said. “Like any other injured athlete, it was really hard to be on the sidelines when all you want to be doing is contributing.
“However, we were lucky to have such a strong team and so other teammates were able to step up to help to get the job done, allowing us to have such a successful season.”
While both Kracker and Blake would soon return to action, the injuries were just starting.
A particularly devastating blow came 11 games into the season, when two-year starting goalkeeper Sophie Grabis suffered a torn ACL.
Then to add injury to injury, top senior defender Grace Truax would also be sidelined for the season a few weeks later.
Just as playoff time beckoned, the Lions had reason to be reeling. Instead, backup goalkeeper Cara Perez and an ever-changing defensive unit carried on towards a memorable finish.
“Our team faced a lot of adversity,” Blake said, “more so than many other teams that I have been on.
“Sophie’s injury was definitely a setback, because she was such a leader and core part of the team. Grace’s injury had the same effect as well, because she was a key member of our defensive line.”
But the Lions carried on.
“By the time Sophie and Grace both got injured towards the end of the season,” Kracker said, “I think we had already learned how to work as a team. And as a defensive unit, how to adjust and make sure we stayed as competitive as possible, no matter who was missing from our usual lineup.”
That showed in shutouts of Downers Grove North and Glenbard West late in the regular season.
Then in the postseason, wins over Kennedy, Morton and Downers South set up what would be a hard-fought sectional final.
“If I had to pick one specific game, I would say our win vs. Whitney Young in the sectional final was a turning point,” Kracker said. “They were a very tough team, and they pushed us hard to the end.
“They tied the game 1-1 in the second half, which put the pressure on us to respond and not lose energy.”
Current University of Illinois player Eileen Murphy’s free kick goal late in regulation produced the 2-1 win.
“‘Rusty’ (Murphy) scored the winning goal on a free kick play we’d been wanting to use all season,” Kracker said. “As a team, we responded very well to their pressure, and finished with a win which gave us the momentum and confidence we needed as state neared.”
The state semifinals became a reality three days later, when Lyons beat Andrew 2-1 at supersectionals.
“Even though some people may have doubted our team because of how many injuries we had,” Kracker said, “we were able to overcome all of those obstacles and still make it to state.”
Blake credited program pride and the heroics of one player in particular as difference-makers.
“The LT program is such a strong and competitive program,” she said. “It forces each player at all levels to perform their best in order to gain a spot on the field. I was impressed by each member of our team’s commitment to individual excellence.
“Quitting was never really an option for us,” Blake said, “and that mentality got us through all of the adversity.
“Also, it is important to mention Eileen Murphy,” Blake added. “She was the key to the team, and we could not have gotten as far as we did without her.”
As if reaching state for the first time since 2006 wasn’t impressive enough, the Lions pushed eventual Class 3A champion Naperville North to penalty kicks in the semifinals (leading 1-0 at one time and tied 1-1 after regulation and two overtimes).
While Lyons eventually placed fourth at state, a memorable example of overcoming adversity had been achieved.
“Everyone was strong and hard-working on their own,” Blake said, “as you have to be to get to the varsity level. Then, on the field, that individual excellence translated to a great team chemistry. We all played really well together.”
Having achieved so much against such odds in 2019, the Lions’ seniors were denied the chance to build on those accomplishments when COVID-19 prevented the 2020 season from starting.
“It’s really tough having the season cancelled,” said Blake, who will study finance at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and possibly play club or intramural soccer.
“As a senior, it’s a little heartbreaking to lose this season,” Blake said, “because it was supposed to be the culmination of a lot of work, training, and sacrifice.
“From a team standpoint, I’m disappointed that this year’s team did not get the opportunity it deserved. I had a lot of confidence that this season could have mirrored the previous year’s success.”
The despair of this spring has indeed impacted Blake’s past, present and future in soccer.
“During this time (of the shutdown), I have really missed the game and the thrill of playing,” she said. “Had I known my last game (the 2019 state third place match) was my last game, I would have approached it with more appreciation.
“That feeling of my unawareness to my last moments of soccer has motivated me to re-look at my options to play club in college, which I wasn’t considering as much before this.”
Kracker will attend the University of Virginia, studying nursing at the school founded 200 years ago by Thomas Jefferson. But she has no plans for a declaration of independence from the pitch.
“I plan to stay involved in the game through either club soccer or intramurals,” Kracker said, “because soccer has been such a huge part of my life until now, and I don’t think I’m ready to let that go.”
Her high school experiences feed that urge to play on.
“Being a part of the LT soccer program for the last four years has been absolutely amazing,” Kracker said. “I’ve learned so much about hard work, friendship, and what it means to be a part of a team.
“For example, I had to step outside of my own comfort zone and move from midfield to defense in order to best serve the team.”
But it’s the personal ties formed that have probably meant the most to her.
“I’ve met people I never would have met if it wasn’t for LT soccer,” Kracker said. “My LT teammates are now some of my best friends. They’re like family to me.
“It’s obviously difficult to know that this chapter of my life is over, because soccer has been such a consistent and enjoyable part of my life for the past 12 years. But I’ll never forget any of the memories or friends I’ve made. I will definitely miss the LT girls soccer community, but I’m excited to see what my future holds.”