Team dreams push Wheaton North’s Elftmann onto new path
By Chris Walker
Hanley Elftmann didn’t think she had time for club soccer last fall and winter so she decided to give it up.
Then she thought of her Wheaton North teammates and her upcoming final season as a Falcon, and she changed her mind.
“I didn’t think I would have time for club with college applications and things, so it was kind of a last minute decision,” she said. “I ended up playing for a higher-level club to get myself ready for this season, a big one since it’s my last one.
"Then I played throughout the fall and indoors in the winter. Then I did our morning workouts for the preseason, and we had a couple of opens gyms and persuaded my teammates to come out.”
As Wheaton North’s goalkeeper, Elftmann wasn’t thinking about making a big save but about doing what she could to make sure she was the best she could be.
“I kind of thought about getting outside of myself, and I thought I needed to do this for my team,” she said. “I knew my skills would deteriorate if I was not constantly playing, so I put (the team) above myself. It was a lot of time, but I did enjoy it. And I don’t want to stop playing; I had more of a need to keep myself in shape and have my skills up to date.”
Elftmann should be handled with care since she’s the only goalkeeper on the roster. And despite not having to look over her shoulder for a new goalie to jump in the scene in Wheaton and fight her for the job, Elftmann trains as if the next Alyssa Naeher is an incoming freshman.
“Many times even some of the top programs don’t have extraordinary goalie depth, and Hanley has been the only goalkeeper of note that we’ve had,” Falcons coach Tim McEvilly said. “Going into senior year she had no goalkeepers to challenge her at any level of the program, but she dedicated to club training and individual training to make herself better. She wanted to help her club team, but it was to make her senior season special. That’s something a lot of seniors don’t put a lot into, but she’s one of those seniors who is also an extraordinary student who does things outside better even when no one else is pushing.”
While McEvilly hasn’t been able to see Elftmann in real action yet this season due to the season halting due to the coronavirus, he saw her throughout past years as well as in the fall and the offseason and her growth is apparent.
“Her physical strength and conditioning have improved immensely, and she’s very focused on her communication skills which have improved from last year,” he said. “With her in the net and our ability to score a lot as a team, this might’ve been the key next step forward.”
Elftmann has embraced a vocal role on the field.
“I love using my voice, but sometimes I do tend to get a little quiet," she said. "But I can get emotional and bark at the backline a lot of times.
“Before the game I’ll say to everyone that anything I said isn’t in a bad way. I’m not angry. I’m trying to be loud. It’s funny because my dad always tells me to be louder, and I feel like I’m too loud sometimes. I like to tell people where to go when they have people on them and need to change something, especially when I tell the backline to step to the ball or a girl.”
Fellow senior Riley Winckler recognizes the leadership and guidance Elftmann provides as the last line of defense.
“She’s very encouraging and can see more of the field than anyone else,” Winckler said. “She gives good directions that help us know what’s going on around us on the field. She brings great positive energy that helps us stay motivated.”
Like Marc-André ter Stegen, the goalkeeper for Barcelona and the German national team, Elftmann landed in goal because of running. For the former, his coach told him he had a strange running style; for Elftmann she was simply a 10-year-old who didn’t like to run.
“When I was little, I hated running,” she said. “In fifth grade I told my coach to put in goal so I wouldn’t have to run. Then I realized I liked playing with my hands, and I love the rush of adrenalin of going head-to-head with a girl in a 1-v.-1 situation. Those are my favorite situations -- it’s like the rush from having a really good save or having a 1-v.-1 situation and that sort of thing. There’s something about it. It’s such a different position, and no one else gets to use their hands.”
When Elftmann arrived at Wheaton North four years ago she was blessed to meet senior Katie Sullivan, who proceeded to move on to Creighton as a goalkeeper after enjoying an all DuPage Valley Conference season in 2017.
Although they only had technically that one year as Falcons to connect, the impact was a significant one and the two stay in touch today.
“I played club together with her too. I learned a lot from her, and we trained together for a couple of seasons,” Elftmann said. “She is awesome and was really good to be practicing with. I was kind of taken under her wing and now she’s been playing Division I soccer.
"Then I went with the team to Hilton Head (S.C. on a team road trip in 2018), and I played one half there. That was my first playing experience which was awesome. It’s been kind of lonely the last two years without any other goalkeeper, but it’s part of the job. It’s a lonely job back in the net.”
That is part of the reason internal motivation has been so key for her growth as a great keeper.
“I always push myself,” she said. “It’s internal competition. When I was younger and first started playing it was all external competition from other girls. It got to the point here where I was constantly the only keeper on the team, and I knew I didn’t have to compete as the only keeper. It was more of a pride thing for myself because I like to compete and internally I push myself to be better and the best that I am and that reflects on the team. I know I have to keep pushing myself so I can be at my best.”
With a sophomore brother who is into baseball and football and a sister in eighth grade who is big into basketball, it appears as if Elftmann will be the only one among her siblings to shine on the soccer field. She’s cool with them doing their own thing, finding enjoyment in athletics to get a nice balance in high school with the academics. Of course, this means this entire high school experience has been filled with not only firsts for her, but for her family as well. She’s certainly served as a great role model for them as well as for others weighing the options of playing high school sports.
“This honestly has been probably one of the best things I’ve done in my life,” she said. “I love my school, and I’m a very big school spirit kind of person. And I love our coaching staff. They’re phenomenal people, and they care about us and our lives and everything, and the girls throughout the years. All the levels have made it like a big family. Whether on the freshmen team or varsity team I’ve gotten to know everybody, and we’re all included in everything. And I’ve had some great role models like Katie Sullivan.”
If only she could get back in net where she belongs.
“It’s been pretty emotional lately, because we’re missing a big chunk of our season before conference play,” she said. “We’re doing a good job of keeping ourselves positive. We do our Zoom calls and have a lot of fun challenges, and we made mini teams to do stuff. It’s keeping everyone in a better emotional state.”
Elftmann will be done with high-level competitive soccer after whatever ends up happening this spring. She’s not eliminating the possibility of joining the club team at Butler, where she’s going to major in health sciences and pre-medicine. Her career path certainly has made her especially aware of what’s transpiring with COVID-19, although she’d rather be reading up on the tendencies on some of the DuKane Conference’s top offensive threats then learning more about this world-altering pandemic. Despite the situation, she’s taking it all in stride.
“I’ve read a lot about it,” she said. “It’s interesting knowing that one day I may get to do something about it.”
Since she’s a goalie and can use her hands, her fingers are crossed that she can do something with them to stop shots before being handed her high school diploma. For now, both are out of her hands, but time is ticking.
“Going into the season we all had a really good feeing about it,” she said. “Losing the regional game last year was heartbreaking and most of our games were decided by a goal. We realized we have to finish this year, and we’re capable of doing that against ranked teams in conference. We’re really excited about actually going out and giving some good competition to the teams in conference.”
By Chris Walker
Hanley Elftmann didn’t think she had time for club soccer last fall and winter so she decided to give it up.
Then she thought of her Wheaton North teammates and her upcoming final season as a Falcon, and she changed her mind.
“I didn’t think I would have time for club with college applications and things, so it was kind of a last minute decision,” she said. “I ended up playing for a higher-level club to get myself ready for this season, a big one since it’s my last one.
"Then I played throughout the fall and indoors in the winter. Then I did our morning workouts for the preseason, and we had a couple of opens gyms and persuaded my teammates to come out.”
As Wheaton North’s goalkeeper, Elftmann wasn’t thinking about making a big save but about doing what she could to make sure she was the best she could be.
“I kind of thought about getting outside of myself, and I thought I needed to do this for my team,” she said. “I knew my skills would deteriorate if I was not constantly playing, so I put (the team) above myself. It was a lot of time, but I did enjoy it. And I don’t want to stop playing; I had more of a need to keep myself in shape and have my skills up to date.”
Elftmann should be handled with care since she’s the only goalkeeper on the roster. And despite not having to look over her shoulder for a new goalie to jump in the scene in Wheaton and fight her for the job, Elftmann trains as if the next Alyssa Naeher is an incoming freshman.
“Many times even some of the top programs don’t have extraordinary goalie depth, and Hanley has been the only goalkeeper of note that we’ve had,” Falcons coach Tim McEvilly said. “Going into senior year she had no goalkeepers to challenge her at any level of the program, but she dedicated to club training and individual training to make herself better. She wanted to help her club team, but it was to make her senior season special. That’s something a lot of seniors don’t put a lot into, but she’s one of those seniors who is also an extraordinary student who does things outside better even when no one else is pushing.”
While McEvilly hasn’t been able to see Elftmann in real action yet this season due to the season halting due to the coronavirus, he saw her throughout past years as well as in the fall and the offseason and her growth is apparent.
“Her physical strength and conditioning have improved immensely, and she’s very focused on her communication skills which have improved from last year,” he said. “With her in the net and our ability to score a lot as a team, this might’ve been the key next step forward.”
Elftmann has embraced a vocal role on the field.
“I love using my voice, but sometimes I do tend to get a little quiet," she said. "But I can get emotional and bark at the backline a lot of times.
“Before the game I’ll say to everyone that anything I said isn’t in a bad way. I’m not angry. I’m trying to be loud. It’s funny because my dad always tells me to be louder, and I feel like I’m too loud sometimes. I like to tell people where to go when they have people on them and need to change something, especially when I tell the backline to step to the ball or a girl.”
Fellow senior Riley Winckler recognizes the leadership and guidance Elftmann provides as the last line of defense.
“She’s very encouraging and can see more of the field than anyone else,” Winckler said. “She gives good directions that help us know what’s going on around us on the field. She brings great positive energy that helps us stay motivated.”
Like Marc-André ter Stegen, the goalkeeper for Barcelona and the German national team, Elftmann landed in goal because of running. For the former, his coach told him he had a strange running style; for Elftmann she was simply a 10-year-old who didn’t like to run.
“When I was little, I hated running,” she said. “In fifth grade I told my coach to put in goal so I wouldn’t have to run. Then I realized I liked playing with my hands, and I love the rush of adrenalin of going head-to-head with a girl in a 1-v.-1 situation. Those are my favorite situations -- it’s like the rush from having a really good save or having a 1-v.-1 situation and that sort of thing. There’s something about it. It’s such a different position, and no one else gets to use their hands.”
When Elftmann arrived at Wheaton North four years ago she was blessed to meet senior Katie Sullivan, who proceeded to move on to Creighton as a goalkeeper after enjoying an all DuPage Valley Conference season in 2017.
Although they only had technically that one year as Falcons to connect, the impact was a significant one and the two stay in touch today.
“I played club together with her too. I learned a lot from her, and we trained together for a couple of seasons,” Elftmann said. “She is awesome and was really good to be practicing with. I was kind of taken under her wing and now she’s been playing Division I soccer.
"Then I went with the team to Hilton Head (S.C. on a team road trip in 2018), and I played one half there. That was my first playing experience which was awesome. It’s been kind of lonely the last two years without any other goalkeeper, but it’s part of the job. It’s a lonely job back in the net.”
That is part of the reason internal motivation has been so key for her growth as a great keeper.
“I always push myself,” she said. “It’s internal competition. When I was younger and first started playing it was all external competition from other girls. It got to the point here where I was constantly the only keeper on the team, and I knew I didn’t have to compete as the only keeper. It was more of a pride thing for myself because I like to compete and internally I push myself to be better and the best that I am and that reflects on the team. I know I have to keep pushing myself so I can be at my best.”
With a sophomore brother who is into baseball and football and a sister in eighth grade who is big into basketball, it appears as if Elftmann will be the only one among her siblings to shine on the soccer field. She’s cool with them doing their own thing, finding enjoyment in athletics to get a nice balance in high school with the academics. Of course, this means this entire high school experience has been filled with not only firsts for her, but for her family as well. She’s certainly served as a great role model for them as well as for others weighing the options of playing high school sports.
“This honestly has been probably one of the best things I’ve done in my life,” she said. “I love my school, and I’m a very big school spirit kind of person. And I love our coaching staff. They’re phenomenal people, and they care about us and our lives and everything, and the girls throughout the years. All the levels have made it like a big family. Whether on the freshmen team or varsity team I’ve gotten to know everybody, and we’re all included in everything. And I’ve had some great role models like Katie Sullivan.”
If only she could get back in net where she belongs.
“It’s been pretty emotional lately, because we’re missing a big chunk of our season before conference play,” she said. “We’re doing a good job of keeping ourselves positive. We do our Zoom calls and have a lot of fun challenges, and we made mini teams to do stuff. It’s keeping everyone in a better emotional state.”
Elftmann will be done with high-level competitive soccer after whatever ends up happening this spring. She’s not eliminating the possibility of joining the club team at Butler, where she’s going to major in health sciences and pre-medicine. Her career path certainly has made her especially aware of what’s transpiring with COVID-19, although she’d rather be reading up on the tendencies on some of the DuKane Conference’s top offensive threats then learning more about this world-altering pandemic. Despite the situation, she’s taking it all in stride.
“I’ve read a lot about it,” she said. “It’s interesting knowing that one day I may get to do something about it.”
Since she’s a goalie and can use her hands, her fingers are crossed that she can do something with them to stop shots before being handed her high school diploma. For now, both are out of her hands, but time is ticking.
“Going into the season we all had a really good feeing about it,” she said. “Losing the regional game last year was heartbreaking and most of our games were decided by a goal. We realized we have to finish this year, and we’re capable of doing that against ranked teams in conference. We’re really excited about actually going out and giving some good competition to the teams in conference.”