Lyons' Dallavo, Mattern
seek big senior sendoff in 2021
By Dave Owen
When Tom Petty sang “The Waiting Is The Hardest Part,” he couldn’t have meant COVID-19 kind of hard.
On Aug 27, 2019, the Lyons boys soccer team opened their season with a 1-1 tie against Sandburg. They went on to finish 15-4-3 with the Argo Regional title.
One year later, the Lions and the rest of Illinois boys squads remain in a holding pattern until at least Feb. 15.
That wait-and-see approach is even more agonizing and lengthy for girls soccer players like Lyons seniors Ava Dallavo and Lily Mattern.
When they and their Lions teammates left the field at North Central College after the Class 3A third place game on June 1, 2019, the then sophomores could have never dreamed that would be the last day of IHSA girls soccer matches for at least 23 months.
But as the best-case scenario of the 2021 girls season starting on May 3 adds to a seemingly eternal wait, Dallavo and Mattern savor timeless memories of that 2019 journey to fourth place in Class 3A.
“Last year's state run was the best experience I have ever had with soccer,” Dallavo said, “and will always be one of my favorite memories of the sport.
“Our team was allowed to break through and reach that point in our season because of our trust. Through my entire soccer career I have been told team chemistry is everything, and I never fully understood the power it has to offer a team until last year.”
That power of chemistry was put to the ultimate test on defense. After early season injuries briefly sidelined a few Lions, 2019 ended with both starting goalkeeper Sophie Grabis and key senior defender Grace Truax out of the lineup.
But goalkeeper Cara Perez and players like sophomore center back Mattern answered the challenge with incredible results.
“Last year after losing Sophie we were unsure of what was to come,” Mattern said. "We knew we had to be a much tougher backline and not let anything through.
“Cara Perez stepped up in a huge way, she truly played amazing through it all. It was definitely tough at times but we had Bri Stirrat’s super speed to help clean up.”
After that midseason challenge at goalkeeper, Truax was hurt.
"To lose our toughest outside back, Grace Truax, was very hard," Mattern said. "But we knew it was her senior year, and we had to keep going for her.
“Last year, we had a crippled crew for most of the season sadly, but the optimism in our team kept us pushing forward and winning to get to state. Our team's mindset showed on the field by how we played. We never let anything get us down.”
Dallavo’s super sophomore season included a team-high eight assists; she was second in goals with eight behind only Chicagoland Soccer All-Stater Eileen Murphy's 22.
“Being a freshman on varsity (in 2018), I learned how to handle the pressure,” she said. “I was a starter at my very first game as a freshman so I was very nervous, but my amazing teammates at the time like Cat Johnson and Lizzy Hall helped me grow into my position.
“And pre-high school soccer I was prepared by playing up in club. I would play with the club team a year older then me, where I also played with some girls on the (Lyons) team who I am still very close with like (2019 seniors) Aleix Drobny and Linnea Nelson-Sandall.”
Mattern was also up on the Lyons varsity as a center midfielder and defender throughout her freshman season of 2018.
“Freshman year I had a lot more nerves when I would get put in the game,” she said. “I was afraid to make mistakes, but seniors on that team such as Cat Johnson, Elizabeth Hall, and Elsa McMahon taught me how to handle the pressure. I looked up to them on the field. Being put on the field with all of the pressure helped form how I play today.”
By 2019, that nerve-wracking varsity soccer baptism paid off.
“Last year (2019), I had less nerves starting on the field, and I knew how I wanted to play,” Mattern said. “I think what has improved the most is my vision of the field, speed of play, and my confidence on the ball. I grew a lot from my freshmen to sophomore year, and I am hoping to do the same from junior to senior year.”
Like Dallavo, club soccer helped provide a great foundation to stepping right in for an elite Lyons varsity program.
“Pre-LT soccer, my club LG Celtics has always wanted to help me improve and get me to where I wanted to be with soccer,” Mattern said. “My coach Andrew Taylor had asked me what I wanted out of soccer. He helped push me to be on varsity as a freshmen, along with (coaches) Brian Kapusta and Brian Bierman.
“Also, I had always asked if there were any more practices I could attend to train more. Coach Jaime Morote let me train with the boys who were high-skilled and very tough which was a huge factor in preparing me. One thing that really prepared was being around people who pushed me every practice to be better.”
With two extra-effort sophomores and a great senior class, the 2019 Lions broke through with their first sectional championship since 2014.
Then came a marathon match with Andrew, and a great reward: the first state trip in 12 seasons.
“The supersectional overtime win against Andrew showed our team and the entire program that we were good enough, and we belonged there,” Dallavo said. “The '19 team created a great path for our program and showed other schools as well we are a force to be reckoned with.”
Unfortunately, a force no one expected (the worldwide pandemic) rendered the 2020 boys and girls seasons into non-existence.
“Hearing the news that we were not going to have a season (this past spring) was so hard," Mattern said, "I would not get to send the seniors, my best friends, off to college and even play with them one last time."
The Class of 2020 was also foremost in Dallavo’s thoughts.
“Of course I was disappointed about no season especially after our great run last year,” she said, “but I didn’t feel bad for myself. I felt bad for the seniors.
“The seniors didn’t get to experience Senior Day or the last Pink Out, or even appreciating the last time they will be stepping on the field. I have played with this senior class my entire high school experience, and it will be weird (next year) without some of my best friends.”
Dallavo and Mattern not only share the distinction of playing varsity soccer since they entered high school, but both have multi-sport backgrounds.
Mattern also plays guard on the Lions’ varsity girls basketball team, making for a busy winter and spring.
“It has definitely been hard to manage both sports,” Mattern said. “I know next year won’t be any easier, but both teams have made my high school experience the best ever.
“They both bring out different aspects of LT. I had made some many friends from both sports, and the coaches are beyond great in both programs. Both sports have shaped my personality and how I handle tough situations.”
Dallavo’s own two-sport plans ended with a literally painful decision.
“When I was young I did the classic 20 sports per day,” Dallavo said. “When I got older, I stuck with basketball and soccer. But after I broke my wrist for the second time, I decided I want to stick (with) and dedicate all my time to soccer.”
The results of that choice have been very good news for the Lyons soccer offense.
“Being a forward is all about creating your opportunities and connecting with the center line,” Dallavo said. “I love the creative aspect, and of course making the goals.
“My favorite part however, is a 1-on-1 with a breakaway: the feeling of running as fast as you can and beating your defender is one of my favorite things in the world.
“To be a good forward,” she added, “I think it takes confidence to be able to say I’m going to take the ball 1-on-1 and being able to believe in yourself to do it.”
Dallavo complements that skill with strong passes. It was her corner kick assist that set up Olivia Wirtz’s goal in the 2019 state semifinals for a 1-0 lead against Naperville North.
“(On) corner kicks you don’t have to be a forward to take them, but from my experience of crossing the ball I have the precision so I take them well,” Dallavo said.
The Huskies overcame that play to edge the Lions on overtime penalty kicks. They won the 3A title the next night vs. Barrington.
But long before that advance to within inches of the state finals, the Lions were on one long fun ride through 2019.
“One of my favorite memories was beating Hinsdale Central at Hinsdale 3-0,” Mattern said. “On our way to the game Lans (head coach Bill Lanspeary) and Newc (assistant Andy Newcomb) had let us turn the music up and get hyped for the big game.
“Even before the game we were dancing the whole time during warm-ups. After the huge win we ran to our fan sections and got to hold to our boys soccer Silver brick that they had won. Last year, we had many pregame dance parties, but that was one of the best.”
Even in the ill-fated 2020 season, the preseason had more light moments.
“I cannot forget this year at our second practice,” Mattern said. “I megged Lans so cleanly after his failed attempt to meg me.
“He was so mad, and the whole team was cheering. Now Newc has to watch out. He is next.”
And after an agonizing 2020, predictions for soccer ball passing tricks are just part of some big plans the Lions have for 2021.
“With this horrible virus that is controlling our lives,” Dallavo said, “it gives us more motivation to come out strong next year.”
Said Mattern: “This layoff has been a huge motivator for me. With one more year at LT, I have been training everyday and improving my fitness through workouts Lans sends out, and on my own.”
And while the shift of boys soccer to early spring will delay the girls season by over a month, the Lions will be more than ready.
“Lots of the girls have been really motivated for next season, as it is now my last,” Mattern said. "I can't wait to get back out there with the team.
“LT soccer is the best. We plan to do big things next year."
seek big senior sendoff in 2021
By Dave Owen
When Tom Petty sang “The Waiting Is The Hardest Part,” he couldn’t have meant COVID-19 kind of hard.
On Aug 27, 2019, the Lyons boys soccer team opened their season with a 1-1 tie against Sandburg. They went on to finish 15-4-3 with the Argo Regional title.
One year later, the Lions and the rest of Illinois boys squads remain in a holding pattern until at least Feb. 15.
That wait-and-see approach is even more agonizing and lengthy for girls soccer players like Lyons seniors Ava Dallavo and Lily Mattern.
When they and their Lions teammates left the field at North Central College after the Class 3A third place game on June 1, 2019, the then sophomores could have never dreamed that would be the last day of IHSA girls soccer matches for at least 23 months.
But as the best-case scenario of the 2021 girls season starting on May 3 adds to a seemingly eternal wait, Dallavo and Mattern savor timeless memories of that 2019 journey to fourth place in Class 3A.
“Last year's state run was the best experience I have ever had with soccer,” Dallavo said, “and will always be one of my favorite memories of the sport.
“Our team was allowed to break through and reach that point in our season because of our trust. Through my entire soccer career I have been told team chemistry is everything, and I never fully understood the power it has to offer a team until last year.”
That power of chemistry was put to the ultimate test on defense. After early season injuries briefly sidelined a few Lions, 2019 ended with both starting goalkeeper Sophie Grabis and key senior defender Grace Truax out of the lineup.
But goalkeeper Cara Perez and players like sophomore center back Mattern answered the challenge with incredible results.
“Last year after losing Sophie we were unsure of what was to come,” Mattern said. "We knew we had to be a much tougher backline and not let anything through.
“Cara Perez stepped up in a huge way, she truly played amazing through it all. It was definitely tough at times but we had Bri Stirrat’s super speed to help clean up.”
After that midseason challenge at goalkeeper, Truax was hurt.
"To lose our toughest outside back, Grace Truax, was very hard," Mattern said. "But we knew it was her senior year, and we had to keep going for her.
“Last year, we had a crippled crew for most of the season sadly, but the optimism in our team kept us pushing forward and winning to get to state. Our team's mindset showed on the field by how we played. We never let anything get us down.”
Dallavo’s super sophomore season included a team-high eight assists; she was second in goals with eight behind only Chicagoland Soccer All-Stater Eileen Murphy's 22.
“Being a freshman on varsity (in 2018), I learned how to handle the pressure,” she said. “I was a starter at my very first game as a freshman so I was very nervous, but my amazing teammates at the time like Cat Johnson and Lizzy Hall helped me grow into my position.
“And pre-high school soccer I was prepared by playing up in club. I would play with the club team a year older then me, where I also played with some girls on the (Lyons) team who I am still very close with like (2019 seniors) Aleix Drobny and Linnea Nelson-Sandall.”
Mattern was also up on the Lyons varsity as a center midfielder and defender throughout her freshman season of 2018.
“Freshman year I had a lot more nerves when I would get put in the game,” she said. “I was afraid to make mistakes, but seniors on that team such as Cat Johnson, Elizabeth Hall, and Elsa McMahon taught me how to handle the pressure. I looked up to them on the field. Being put on the field with all of the pressure helped form how I play today.”
By 2019, that nerve-wracking varsity soccer baptism paid off.
“Last year (2019), I had less nerves starting on the field, and I knew how I wanted to play,” Mattern said. “I think what has improved the most is my vision of the field, speed of play, and my confidence on the ball. I grew a lot from my freshmen to sophomore year, and I am hoping to do the same from junior to senior year.”
Like Dallavo, club soccer helped provide a great foundation to stepping right in for an elite Lyons varsity program.
“Pre-LT soccer, my club LG Celtics has always wanted to help me improve and get me to where I wanted to be with soccer,” Mattern said. “My coach Andrew Taylor had asked me what I wanted out of soccer. He helped push me to be on varsity as a freshmen, along with (coaches) Brian Kapusta and Brian Bierman.
“Also, I had always asked if there were any more practices I could attend to train more. Coach Jaime Morote let me train with the boys who were high-skilled and very tough which was a huge factor in preparing me. One thing that really prepared was being around people who pushed me every practice to be better.”
With two extra-effort sophomores and a great senior class, the 2019 Lions broke through with their first sectional championship since 2014.
Then came a marathon match with Andrew, and a great reward: the first state trip in 12 seasons.
“The supersectional overtime win against Andrew showed our team and the entire program that we were good enough, and we belonged there,” Dallavo said. “The '19 team created a great path for our program and showed other schools as well we are a force to be reckoned with.”
Unfortunately, a force no one expected (the worldwide pandemic) rendered the 2020 boys and girls seasons into non-existence.
“Hearing the news that we were not going to have a season (this past spring) was so hard," Mattern said, "I would not get to send the seniors, my best friends, off to college and even play with them one last time."
The Class of 2020 was also foremost in Dallavo’s thoughts.
“Of course I was disappointed about no season especially after our great run last year,” she said, “but I didn’t feel bad for myself. I felt bad for the seniors.
“The seniors didn’t get to experience Senior Day or the last Pink Out, or even appreciating the last time they will be stepping on the field. I have played with this senior class my entire high school experience, and it will be weird (next year) without some of my best friends.”
Dallavo and Mattern not only share the distinction of playing varsity soccer since they entered high school, but both have multi-sport backgrounds.
Mattern also plays guard on the Lions’ varsity girls basketball team, making for a busy winter and spring.
“It has definitely been hard to manage both sports,” Mattern said. “I know next year won’t be any easier, but both teams have made my high school experience the best ever.
“They both bring out different aspects of LT. I had made some many friends from both sports, and the coaches are beyond great in both programs. Both sports have shaped my personality and how I handle tough situations.”
Dallavo’s own two-sport plans ended with a literally painful decision.
“When I was young I did the classic 20 sports per day,” Dallavo said. “When I got older, I stuck with basketball and soccer. But after I broke my wrist for the second time, I decided I want to stick (with) and dedicate all my time to soccer.”
The results of that choice have been very good news for the Lyons soccer offense.
“Being a forward is all about creating your opportunities and connecting with the center line,” Dallavo said. “I love the creative aspect, and of course making the goals.
“My favorite part however, is a 1-on-1 with a breakaway: the feeling of running as fast as you can and beating your defender is one of my favorite things in the world.
“To be a good forward,” she added, “I think it takes confidence to be able to say I’m going to take the ball 1-on-1 and being able to believe in yourself to do it.”
Dallavo complements that skill with strong passes. It was her corner kick assist that set up Olivia Wirtz’s goal in the 2019 state semifinals for a 1-0 lead against Naperville North.
“(On) corner kicks you don’t have to be a forward to take them, but from my experience of crossing the ball I have the precision so I take them well,” Dallavo said.
The Huskies overcame that play to edge the Lions on overtime penalty kicks. They won the 3A title the next night vs. Barrington.
But long before that advance to within inches of the state finals, the Lions were on one long fun ride through 2019.
“One of my favorite memories was beating Hinsdale Central at Hinsdale 3-0,” Mattern said. “On our way to the game Lans (head coach Bill Lanspeary) and Newc (assistant Andy Newcomb) had let us turn the music up and get hyped for the big game.
“Even before the game we were dancing the whole time during warm-ups. After the huge win we ran to our fan sections and got to hold to our boys soccer Silver brick that they had won. Last year, we had many pregame dance parties, but that was one of the best.”
Even in the ill-fated 2020 season, the preseason had more light moments.
“I cannot forget this year at our second practice,” Mattern said. “I megged Lans so cleanly after his failed attempt to meg me.
“He was so mad, and the whole team was cheering. Now Newc has to watch out. He is next.”
And after an agonizing 2020, predictions for soccer ball passing tricks are just part of some big plans the Lions have for 2021.
“With this horrible virus that is controlling our lives,” Dallavo said, “it gives us more motivation to come out strong next year.”
Said Mattern: “This layoff has been a huge motivator for me. With one more year at LT, I have been training everyday and improving my fitness through workouts Lans sends out, and on my own.”
And while the shift of boys soccer to early spring will delay the girls season by over a month, the Lions will be more than ready.
“Lots of the girls have been really motivated for next season, as it is now my last,” Mattern said. "I can't wait to get back out there with the team.
“LT soccer is the best. We plan to do big things next year."