Alexander brings max effort,
multi-sport success to Wheaton Academy
By Dave Owen
Amy Alexander has played three varsity sports at Wheaton Academy. But it seems the soccer pitch is never far from the forefront.
“I joined the cross country team this year to help me be in better shape for soccer,” said the junior, who also played on the varsity basketball team as a sophomore. “Playing soccer for many years, I had already learned in games how to push on and keep going even when my legs felt they were giving out.
“My cross country teammates soon learned and picked up on my competitiveness from soccer. They would yell at me while running ‘Amy, the girl in front of you has the ball: go get it,’ or ‘Amy, pass these five girls and you will score!’
“These encouragements helped me so much as I envisioned racing the people to get to the soccer ball to score,” Alexander added. “I had very similar approaches to both sports -- in the last minutes of a game or race, just telling myself over and over ‘You can do it.’”
The can-do attitude turned into some nice accomplishments.
In soccer, Alexander earned Chicagoland Soccer All-State Watch List recognition. And matching her role in regional soccer championships as a freshman and sophomore, Alexander added cross country to that postseason resume.
Alexander was the Warriors’ second finisher (placing 21st overall) at the 2019 Class A Lisle sectional, powering the team to third place and a state berth.
Soccer teammates Lily Lebo, Sarah VanderKlok and Kelly Bickhart were the team’s other top three finishers at sectionals, all placing in the top 28 individually. A week later, Lebo led the way as Wheaton Academy finished 22nd as a team at state.
“The team was half soccer girls as well,” Alexander said, “and we are able to carry the same level of being competitive as we ran and encouraged each other, making it an amazing team environment.”
The chemistry in the Wheaton Academy girls soccer program has long been off the charts.
“One of the biggest blessings from Wheaton Academy soccer is the relationships I have made,” Alexander said. “(Fellow midfielders) Emma Goebel and Sophie Lindquist are two friends that I have been so blessed by having through the game of soccer. I knew I could count on each of them and trust them and their decisions with the ball.
“Sophie graduated last year,” Alexander added, “but I was inspired by how hard she worked and looked to do the same. Emma changes the game on the field with her organization, leadership, and drive.
“I would always know where these girls were on the field, because most likely that was where my next pass was.”
Alexander figures to join Lindquist (now a freshman at Wheaton College) and Goebel (a Warriors senior who will play at Taylor University) with a soccer future at the college level.
But with her senior season still to come next spring, Alexander can continue to build on a Wheaton Academy career that has already provided two years of steady play. And produced instincts usually found in upperclassmen.
“Amy is an incredibly special player,” Warriors coach Maria Selvaggio said. “She is such an insightful defender, reading the game with a mature eye and seeing things two or three plays or passes in advance.
“She is the link between our backline and front line, as she helps control the midfield for us.
“She has a noticeably high level of intelligence on the field,” Selvaggio added, “and is very intentional about the little things, which makes her fun to watch. Things like her positioning, when to pass or when to dribble someone 1-v.-1, when to shoot, etc. Her versatility and talent stand out.”
Alexander immediately found a perfect place to develop those key qualities at Wheaton Academy.
“I chose to go to Wheaton Academy because my siblings went there,” Alexander said. “I grew up watching the girl's soccer team in elementary school, dreaming about a day I could wear one of their jerseys.
“When I came in as a freshman I was instantly welcomed and felt like I was truly joining a family. Even though I was new and hadn’t played with the girls or the coach (Jeff Brooke), I right away felt this overwhelming sense that my teammates and coach believed in me.
“People encouraged me, and I was given responsibilities right away. So I did what many freshmen do, I did what I was told.”
High standards were immediately set, and met.
“My coach (Brooke) would tell me to play amazing and play like a senior, so from the beginning that’s what I tried to do.
“Seeing how many people on my high school team people believed in me has helped me improve as a player, having more confidence to believe in myself.”
Selvaggio was a Warriors assistant coach in 2018 and 2019, and offered a scouting report of sorts on her style of play.
“She’s hard to get past,” Selvaggio said. “Her size, athleticism, and strength are undeniable. Amy can stop a play from developing, win the ball, and build an attack all while under high pressure, over and over again.”
And her impact has shown in far more than just physical talent.
“Amy is very beloved in our program and at our school, and has an infectious personality,” said Selvaggio. “She exudes joy, all the while she is very humble and thoughtful towards others.
“She positively influences our program culture, encouraging her teammates to embrace the moment, especially every opportunity to go out and play together.
“Amy also works incredibly hard,” Selvaggio added. “Her teammates greatly respect how committed she is to training, always seeking to improve her game and fitness and give 100 percent every time she takes the field.”
Playing midfielder fits perfectly with Alexander’s all-out style.
“The thing that makes me most successful is my work rate and competitiveness for the ball,” she said. “Being always surrounded by the action, and involved, it brings a different level of fight in me.
“Being a part of the midfield, I look for opportunities to help make the game flow better by distribution of the ball. I look for times to switch the point of attack and take the ball from areas of high pressure to low pressure and more space.”
In just two years, Alexander has already experienced a wealth of memorable moments on the Wheaton Academy pitch.
“One of my all-time favorite games was last year against the defending state champs, St. Francis,” she said. “We defended the entire game but were still able to squeeze in a goal in the first half.
“What I remembered was the last two minutes of the game. They scored to tie the game. We went into overtime, and it was just a battle. Everyone was so exhausted, but we ended up scoring off a corner kick, header into the back of the net (Goebel’s second goal of the game, off Rebecca Steininger’s corner send).
“Winning that game was one of the best feelings.
“Other memorable games,” Alexander added, “were (a 1-0 win) against University High in Chicago sophomore year and playing South Elgin on our Senior Night last year (a 2-0 win over an eventual Class 3A regional champion).”
Beating a perennial regional champion from the elite Class 3A DuPage Valley Conference provided a high-water mark in 2018.
“Freshman year my favorite game was against Metea Valley,” Alexander said, “a much bigger school (that) we were honestly really intimidated by. But we had nothing to lose and came out with a hunger to win, and we did (3-1).
“Just as important as winning, my favorite memories are the relationships I’ve made. I loved the time we got to share getting dinner after games together, going on weekend trips for soccer games, and the laughs at practice.”
Unfortunately, the fun and added memories were put on hold early this season when COVID-19 delayed and then erased spring sports.
“Having the season canceled has been hard for everyone on my team,” she said. “I know I speak for myself and most of the girls on the team saying that soccer season is the best part of high school.
“I have made the best memories of high school with these girls, and having a season canceled, I’m reminded of how grateful I am to be able to play the sport I love. I look forward to when I can be back on the field with my team soon.”
That will be next spring in her senior season at Wheaton Academy. And if Alexander was intense and focused before, imagine what this layoff has done.
“We’ll use this experience as fuel for the next season,” she said. “This will give us a new hunger to play and compete.”
multi-sport success to Wheaton Academy
By Dave Owen
Amy Alexander has played three varsity sports at Wheaton Academy. But it seems the soccer pitch is never far from the forefront.
“I joined the cross country team this year to help me be in better shape for soccer,” said the junior, who also played on the varsity basketball team as a sophomore. “Playing soccer for many years, I had already learned in games how to push on and keep going even when my legs felt they were giving out.
“My cross country teammates soon learned and picked up on my competitiveness from soccer. They would yell at me while running ‘Amy, the girl in front of you has the ball: go get it,’ or ‘Amy, pass these five girls and you will score!’
“These encouragements helped me so much as I envisioned racing the people to get to the soccer ball to score,” Alexander added. “I had very similar approaches to both sports -- in the last minutes of a game or race, just telling myself over and over ‘You can do it.’”
The can-do attitude turned into some nice accomplishments.
In soccer, Alexander earned Chicagoland Soccer All-State Watch List recognition. And matching her role in regional soccer championships as a freshman and sophomore, Alexander added cross country to that postseason resume.
Alexander was the Warriors’ second finisher (placing 21st overall) at the 2019 Class A Lisle sectional, powering the team to third place and a state berth.
Soccer teammates Lily Lebo, Sarah VanderKlok and Kelly Bickhart were the team’s other top three finishers at sectionals, all placing in the top 28 individually. A week later, Lebo led the way as Wheaton Academy finished 22nd as a team at state.
“The team was half soccer girls as well,” Alexander said, “and we are able to carry the same level of being competitive as we ran and encouraged each other, making it an amazing team environment.”
The chemistry in the Wheaton Academy girls soccer program has long been off the charts.
“One of the biggest blessings from Wheaton Academy soccer is the relationships I have made,” Alexander said. “(Fellow midfielders) Emma Goebel and Sophie Lindquist are two friends that I have been so blessed by having through the game of soccer. I knew I could count on each of them and trust them and their decisions with the ball.
“Sophie graduated last year,” Alexander added, “but I was inspired by how hard she worked and looked to do the same. Emma changes the game on the field with her organization, leadership, and drive.
“I would always know where these girls were on the field, because most likely that was where my next pass was.”
Alexander figures to join Lindquist (now a freshman at Wheaton College) and Goebel (a Warriors senior who will play at Taylor University) with a soccer future at the college level.
But with her senior season still to come next spring, Alexander can continue to build on a Wheaton Academy career that has already provided two years of steady play. And produced instincts usually found in upperclassmen.
“Amy is an incredibly special player,” Warriors coach Maria Selvaggio said. “She is such an insightful defender, reading the game with a mature eye and seeing things two or three plays or passes in advance.
“She is the link between our backline and front line, as she helps control the midfield for us.
“She has a noticeably high level of intelligence on the field,” Selvaggio added, “and is very intentional about the little things, which makes her fun to watch. Things like her positioning, when to pass or when to dribble someone 1-v.-1, when to shoot, etc. Her versatility and talent stand out.”
Alexander immediately found a perfect place to develop those key qualities at Wheaton Academy.
“I chose to go to Wheaton Academy because my siblings went there,” Alexander said. “I grew up watching the girl's soccer team in elementary school, dreaming about a day I could wear one of their jerseys.
“When I came in as a freshman I was instantly welcomed and felt like I was truly joining a family. Even though I was new and hadn’t played with the girls or the coach (Jeff Brooke), I right away felt this overwhelming sense that my teammates and coach believed in me.
“People encouraged me, and I was given responsibilities right away. So I did what many freshmen do, I did what I was told.”
High standards were immediately set, and met.
“My coach (Brooke) would tell me to play amazing and play like a senior, so from the beginning that’s what I tried to do.
“Seeing how many people on my high school team people believed in me has helped me improve as a player, having more confidence to believe in myself.”
Selvaggio was a Warriors assistant coach in 2018 and 2019, and offered a scouting report of sorts on her style of play.
“She’s hard to get past,” Selvaggio said. “Her size, athleticism, and strength are undeniable. Amy can stop a play from developing, win the ball, and build an attack all while under high pressure, over and over again.”
And her impact has shown in far more than just physical talent.
“Amy is very beloved in our program and at our school, and has an infectious personality,” said Selvaggio. “She exudes joy, all the while she is very humble and thoughtful towards others.
“She positively influences our program culture, encouraging her teammates to embrace the moment, especially every opportunity to go out and play together.
“Amy also works incredibly hard,” Selvaggio added. “Her teammates greatly respect how committed she is to training, always seeking to improve her game and fitness and give 100 percent every time she takes the field.”
Playing midfielder fits perfectly with Alexander’s all-out style.
“The thing that makes me most successful is my work rate and competitiveness for the ball,” she said. “Being always surrounded by the action, and involved, it brings a different level of fight in me.
“Being a part of the midfield, I look for opportunities to help make the game flow better by distribution of the ball. I look for times to switch the point of attack and take the ball from areas of high pressure to low pressure and more space.”
In just two years, Alexander has already experienced a wealth of memorable moments on the Wheaton Academy pitch.
“One of my all-time favorite games was last year against the defending state champs, St. Francis,” she said. “We defended the entire game but were still able to squeeze in a goal in the first half.
“What I remembered was the last two minutes of the game. They scored to tie the game. We went into overtime, and it was just a battle. Everyone was so exhausted, but we ended up scoring off a corner kick, header into the back of the net (Goebel’s second goal of the game, off Rebecca Steininger’s corner send).
“Winning that game was one of the best feelings.
“Other memorable games,” Alexander added, “were (a 1-0 win) against University High in Chicago sophomore year and playing South Elgin on our Senior Night last year (a 2-0 win over an eventual Class 3A regional champion).”
Beating a perennial regional champion from the elite Class 3A DuPage Valley Conference provided a high-water mark in 2018.
“Freshman year my favorite game was against Metea Valley,” Alexander said, “a much bigger school (that) we were honestly really intimidated by. But we had nothing to lose and came out with a hunger to win, and we did (3-1).
“Just as important as winning, my favorite memories are the relationships I’ve made. I loved the time we got to share getting dinner after games together, going on weekend trips for soccer games, and the laughs at practice.”
Unfortunately, the fun and added memories were put on hold early this season when COVID-19 delayed and then erased spring sports.
“Having the season canceled has been hard for everyone on my team,” she said. “I know I speak for myself and most of the girls on the team saying that soccer season is the best part of high school.
“I have made the best memories of high school with these girls, and having a season canceled, I’m reminded of how grateful I am to be able to play the sport I love. I look forward to when I can be back on the field with my team soon.”
That will be next spring in her senior season at Wheaton Academy. And if Alexander was intense and focused before, imagine what this layoff has done.
“We’ll use this experience as fuel for the next season,” she said. “This will give us a new hunger to play and compete.”