Lyons turns in complete effort
against Hinsdale Central
Lions blank Red Devils to record 10th-straight win, shutout
By Curt Herron
WESTERN SPRINGS -- In a regular-season where Lyons has already accomplished a great deal with a week and a half remaining before the playoffs get underway, the Lions definitely turned in one of their best performances against Hinsdale Central in a West Suburban Conference Silver Division match.
Host Lyons demonstrated why they have won all 10 of their matches via shutout wins after receiving contributions from throughout their lineup in a 4-0 victory over the rival Red Devils at Bennett Field.
Beside creating good scoring opportunities for many of its players, Lyons (10-0-0, 8-0-0) limited Hinsdale Central (6-4-0, 4-4-0) to very few chances to put the ball into the net.
The three seniors who were members of Lyons' fourth place team in Class 3A in 2019 contributed to their team's first three goals. Lily Mattern scored the first and third goals, Ava Dallavo added the second score and Elli Kosanovich assisted Mattern on her second goal. Sophomore Katie O'Malley also connected for the winners.
"It was a great team win," Lions coach Bill Lanspeary said. "Our backline and keepers held strong, and the backline showed some patience with the ball rather than forcing things that weren't there. The midfield won 50/50 balls and connected well, and our forwards were dangerous. We got big contributions from everyone.
"We played better after getting the first goal, it sort of helped us relax and play better soccer. Some of the opportunities we created and the finishes in the second half were fantastic."
Hinsdale Central keeper Rania Arain stopped solid scoring attempts from Dallavo, Kate Fulscher and Eleanor Musgrove during the early stages of the match, but she was unable to deny Mattern on a free kick from 25 yards in the 29th minute. That was the lone goal of the opening half.
"I think this whole season we've kind of had the mindset that we want to go far and to make an impact this year, because we lost playing last year," said Mattern, who earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor. "And everyone has been putting in the effort and the fight in all of our games.
"Before scoring the first goal, we had been a little uneasy in the first few minutes and had not really settled in. But after that goal, we were like, let's get more. And even when the subs came in, they made an impact."
In the final minutes of the first half, Avery Livingston and Reese Komsthoeft were also denied by the Red Devils keeper. Kosanovich also had a shot blocked by a defender.
Meanwhile, Lyons' staunch defense, led by Maddie McPartlin, Ava Pike, Fulscher and Kosanovich as well as keeper Izzy Lee, were determined to extend their amazing scoreless streak to 800 minutes for the season.
"I think we just knew that we had to bring our best game today, because we knew they were going to bring their best game against us," McPartlin said. "We knew that we would have to outplay them. We just had to play our game and outwork them and bring a higher intensity.
"In every game that we play, even when we're up four of five against good teams, we know that they want to be the first team to score on us and to ruin the shutout streak. We know that we have to keep working hard, and we can never give up."
The Lions scored two goals in the first nine minutes of the second half, which allowed them to substitute liberally during the final part of the match. But to their credit, the level of play still remained high for the hosts.
In the 42nd minute, Dallavo got free and scored from 15 yards/ Following shots by Musgrove and O'Malley, Lyons went up 3-0 in the 49th minute when Kosanovich sent a pass to Mattern, who connected for a second time, this one from close range.
Shortly after Brigid Dunne stepped in for Lee in goal, the Lions concluded the scoring in the 60th minute when O'Malley got past defenders and put in a short attempt.
Hinsdale Central, which had not lost by more than one goal this season, found itself in unfamiliar territory but continued to play hard and had several good shots down the stretch. Dunne came up big on a dangerous free kick from Emma Elliott. Tries by Francesca Schiavitti and Sidney Turnbull were also denied.
“Four mistakes and four great conversions by LT," Red Devils coach Tony Madonia said. "There is a reason why they are unbeaten. They are solid defensively, mature and don’t make many mistakes.
"Our girls held their heads high and worked the entire 80 minutes. I am proud of our team. We got better tonight. They are strong and mature young ladies who we really respect. They are first class in victory and defeat. We look forward to our competition at York on Thursday.”
Starting lineups
Hinsdale Central
G - Rania Arain
D - Laura Oleferchik
D - Sidney Turnbull
D - Ava Elliott
D - Claire Kumskis
M - Emma Elliott
M - Francesca Schiavitti
M - Maddy Panveno
F - Fallon Limberg
F - Maggie Sanders
F - Cate McDonnell
Lyons
G - Izzy Lee
D - Maddie McPartlin
D - Elli Kosanovich
D - Kate Fulscher
D - Ava Pike
M - Lily Mattern
M - Eleanor Musgrove
M - Avery Livingston
F - Ava Dallavo
F - Jordan Lee-Caracci
F - Reese Komsthoeft
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Lily Mattern, sr., MF, Lyons
Scoring summary
First half
Lyons - Mattern, 29
Second half
Lyons - Dallavo, 42
Lyons - Mattern (Kosanovich), 49
Lyons - O'Malley, 60
against Hinsdale Central
Lions blank Red Devils to record 10th-straight win, shutout
By Curt Herron
WESTERN SPRINGS -- In a regular-season where Lyons has already accomplished a great deal with a week and a half remaining before the playoffs get underway, the Lions definitely turned in one of their best performances against Hinsdale Central in a West Suburban Conference Silver Division match.
Host Lyons demonstrated why they have won all 10 of their matches via shutout wins after receiving contributions from throughout their lineup in a 4-0 victory over the rival Red Devils at Bennett Field.
Beside creating good scoring opportunities for many of its players, Lyons (10-0-0, 8-0-0) limited Hinsdale Central (6-4-0, 4-4-0) to very few chances to put the ball into the net.
The three seniors who were members of Lyons' fourth place team in Class 3A in 2019 contributed to their team's first three goals. Lily Mattern scored the first and third goals, Ava Dallavo added the second score and Elli Kosanovich assisted Mattern on her second goal. Sophomore Katie O'Malley also connected for the winners.
"It was a great team win," Lions coach Bill Lanspeary said. "Our backline and keepers held strong, and the backline showed some patience with the ball rather than forcing things that weren't there. The midfield won 50/50 balls and connected well, and our forwards were dangerous. We got big contributions from everyone.
"We played better after getting the first goal, it sort of helped us relax and play better soccer. Some of the opportunities we created and the finishes in the second half were fantastic."
Hinsdale Central keeper Rania Arain stopped solid scoring attempts from Dallavo, Kate Fulscher and Eleanor Musgrove during the early stages of the match, but she was unable to deny Mattern on a free kick from 25 yards in the 29th minute. That was the lone goal of the opening half.
"I think this whole season we've kind of had the mindset that we want to go far and to make an impact this year, because we lost playing last year," said Mattern, who earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor. "And everyone has been putting in the effort and the fight in all of our games.
"Before scoring the first goal, we had been a little uneasy in the first few minutes and had not really settled in. But after that goal, we were like, let's get more. And even when the subs came in, they made an impact."
In the final minutes of the first half, Avery Livingston and Reese Komsthoeft were also denied by the Red Devils keeper. Kosanovich also had a shot blocked by a defender.
Meanwhile, Lyons' staunch defense, led by Maddie McPartlin, Ava Pike, Fulscher and Kosanovich as well as keeper Izzy Lee, were determined to extend their amazing scoreless streak to 800 minutes for the season.
"I think we just knew that we had to bring our best game today, because we knew they were going to bring their best game against us," McPartlin said. "We knew that we would have to outplay them. We just had to play our game and outwork them and bring a higher intensity.
"In every game that we play, even when we're up four of five against good teams, we know that they want to be the first team to score on us and to ruin the shutout streak. We know that we have to keep working hard, and we can never give up."
The Lions scored two goals in the first nine minutes of the second half, which allowed them to substitute liberally during the final part of the match. But to their credit, the level of play still remained high for the hosts.
In the 42nd minute, Dallavo got free and scored from 15 yards/ Following shots by Musgrove and O'Malley, Lyons went up 3-0 in the 49th minute when Kosanovich sent a pass to Mattern, who connected for a second time, this one from close range.
Shortly after Brigid Dunne stepped in for Lee in goal, the Lions concluded the scoring in the 60th minute when O'Malley got past defenders and put in a short attempt.
Hinsdale Central, which had not lost by more than one goal this season, found itself in unfamiliar territory but continued to play hard and had several good shots down the stretch. Dunne came up big on a dangerous free kick from Emma Elliott. Tries by Francesca Schiavitti and Sidney Turnbull were also denied.
“Four mistakes and four great conversions by LT," Red Devils coach Tony Madonia said. "There is a reason why they are unbeaten. They are solid defensively, mature and don’t make many mistakes.
"Our girls held their heads high and worked the entire 80 minutes. I am proud of our team. We got better tonight. They are strong and mature young ladies who we really respect. They are first class in victory and defeat. We look forward to our competition at York on Thursday.”
Starting lineups
Hinsdale Central
G - Rania Arain
D - Laura Oleferchik
D - Sidney Turnbull
D - Ava Elliott
D - Claire Kumskis
M - Emma Elliott
M - Francesca Schiavitti
M - Maddy Panveno
F - Fallon Limberg
F - Maggie Sanders
F - Cate McDonnell
Lyons
G - Izzy Lee
D - Maddie McPartlin
D - Elli Kosanovich
D - Kate Fulscher
D - Ava Pike
M - Lily Mattern
M - Eleanor Musgrove
M - Avery Livingston
F - Ava Dallavo
F - Jordan Lee-Caracci
F - Reese Komsthoeft
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Lily Mattern, sr., MF, Lyons
Scoring summary
First half
Lyons - Mattern, 29
Second half
Lyons - Dallavo, 42
Lyons - Mattern (Kosanovich), 49
Lyons - O'Malley, 60