Dynamo duo powers West Aurora victory
Kuhn, Vargas sparkle in 6-0 win over Joliet Central
By Patrick Z. McGavin
AURORA -- Calling Lizzy Kuhn a double threat is almost an understatement.
The West Aurora junior seemingly bends the field to her will, playing wherever her coach Laura Wagley needs her. She’s always ready to maximize her versatility to the extreme benefits of the team.
She is her own hyphenate, listed on the Blackhawks’ roster as a midfielder/goalkeeper. Wagley has also pushed her to the top of the formation to play off her athleticism, quickness and first-strike capability.
“I was a stopper my freshman year with a very good team,” Kuhn said. “We graduated all but two players from that team. I’m used to being a defensive player.
“Coming in and now losing that attack we had with Audrey (Stephens), Gracie (Prather) and the twins (Kiara and Olivia McPherson), it’s definitely been an adjustment.
“Now I like being in the middle.”
Sophomore midfielder Bella Vargas saw her planned debut a year ago struck down by the pandemic. Missing that year deprived her of an invaluable experience.
She is starting to make up for lost time. Her unselfish style and shot creation is the developing foundation of the Blackhawks’ attack. “I love to create,” she said.
Now circumstances and the volatility of the moment have also reoriented the calculus of the team and pushed Kuhn and Vargas to become the offensive catalysts.
Their explosive collaboration yielded the Blackhawks’ most potent offensive performance of the season. Wagley shifted Kuhn to the top of the attack and fireworks ensued.
Kuhn scored four goals and Vargas contributed the other pair and three assists in the Blackhawks’ 6-0 victory over Joliet Central in Southwest Prairie Conference play Thursday.
Kuhn and Vargas shared the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match distinction for their outstanding play.
West Aurora (3-4-1, 3-2-1) posted its fourth shutout and second in the last three games.
“I think we have a really great connection,” Vargas said. “We communicate a lot, every time she’s up at the top of the formation. I think we do pretty well communication-wise.
“I have her back, and she has mine.”
Kuhn and Vargas each has five goals on the season.
Kuhn is part of an elite athletic family. Her older sister Stephanie holds the school record in the pole vault and finished second in the Class 3A state meet in 2019. She is now a standout freshman at Ohio State.
Lizzy Kuhn is long, wiry and lithe, and she demonstrated great timing, presence and explosiveness on the ball. She even played the last 15 minutes at keeper after starter Madi Russell had to leave the game early.
“Offensively we had some adjustments this game, and we’re still trying out different things,” Kuhn said. “Everybody plays different positions on their club teams, so we’re all trying new things and trying stuff out.”
The experimentation and working through of new roles was apparent through the early going as the Blackhawks looked to settle down offensively.
Vargas broke through in the 28th minute on a sharp ball by forward Alphoncine Tuyisenge that sent the Blackhawks off and running.
“I love to give those great balls, but I’m also pretty technical with the ball,” Vargas said. “If I can find the space myself, I try to take it and score goals.”
Kuhn took over from there by scoring the next four goals. In the 39th minute, Russell sent a booming punt that Kuhn gathered in space and drilled for the 2-0 lead at halftime.
Playing beautifully off the creative and precise passing of Vargas, Kuhn was just getting warmed up.
During one breathtaking three-minute stretch, the two players turned the field into their private domain in amplifying their special talents and abilities to overwhelm the Steelwomen (0-6-0, 0-4-0).
Kuhn scored three goals in three minutes -- each one facilitated by the resourceful and gifted Vargas.
“When they switched me to playing forward, Bella had so many good balls in and I was able to run onto them,” Kuhn said. “I think she has really good balls from the middle, which is helpful when you’re up top.”
Kuhn’s positional versatility underscores her expanded role on the team. She has now shifted from the precocious apprentice to team leader and captain.
She credits her evolution to playing with Audrey Stephens, the two-time Chicagoland Soccer all-state forward who tied for the team lead in goals at Indiana State this spring.
“I learned so much from watching her as well as playing with the seniors,” Kuhn said. “The leadership and all the goal-scoring, especially from Audrey, was inspirational, especially being a captain now.
“I know how to act, I know to lead, I know how to address the team when they’re not at their best or when they’re at their best. They were phenomenal players to play with and trying to replicate that is what we’re trying to do.”
Vargas completed the scoring with her second goal in the 68th minute off an assist by sophomore midfielder Cristal Gutierrez.
The Blackhawks have played without their best defender, junior sweeper Krystal Diaz, over the last four games due to health and safety protocols. Sophomore Xochitl Galvan has emerged as another dynamic talent.
“With missing Krystal it’s a big adjustment, if that makes sense, because she is the heart of the back,” Galvan said. “She redirects everyone, starting from defense going to offense.
“The first game without her was very difficult. Otherwise, we have been able to adjust. It’s not the same. We can do what we have to. I try to communicate a lot with them. We know who’s covering, who’s staying back and who’s dropping.”
Apart from a one-sided loss against Streamwood, West Aurora has been competitive in every game. Now Wagley is hopeful the offense catches up to the defense.
“Earlier this season we were losing, but our defense is by far the best part of our game,” Wagley said. “We just have to get scoring. Hopefully today’s game relaxes and gives our girls the confidence -- knowing we can score. We know how to score.
“Hopefully we could put both pieces together.”
Starting lineups
Joliet Central
GK: Nikki Aguirre
D: Jackie Silva
D: Wendy Guzman
D: Crystal Rangel
D: Emma Schlismann
MF: Lexi Ortiz
MF: Dani Rosiles
MF: Diose Tenorio
MF: Gianna Perez
F: Johanna Reyes
F: Alyssa Caracheo
West Aurora
GK: Madi Russell
D: Kat Hernandez
D: Xochitl Galvan
D: Arely Lares
D: Fatima Burciaga
MF: Arely Soto
MF: Bella Vargas
MF: Lizzy Kuhn
MF: Brenda Juarez
F: Alphoncine Tuyisenge
F: Jazmin Quinto
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match: Lizzy Kuhn, jr., MF/GK, West Aurora;
Bella Vargas, soph., MF, West Aurora
Scoring summary
First half
West Aurora—Bella Vargas (Alphoncine Tuyisenge), 28th minute
West Aurora—Lizzy Kuhn (Madi Russell), 39th minute
Second half
West Aurora—Kuhn (Vargas), 59th minute
West Aurora—Kuhn (Vargas), 60th minute
West Aurora—Kuhn (Vargas), 61st minute
West Aurora—Vargas (Cristal Gutierrez), 68th minute
Kuhn, Vargas sparkle in 6-0 win over Joliet Central
By Patrick Z. McGavin
AURORA -- Calling Lizzy Kuhn a double threat is almost an understatement.
The West Aurora junior seemingly bends the field to her will, playing wherever her coach Laura Wagley needs her. She’s always ready to maximize her versatility to the extreme benefits of the team.
She is her own hyphenate, listed on the Blackhawks’ roster as a midfielder/goalkeeper. Wagley has also pushed her to the top of the formation to play off her athleticism, quickness and first-strike capability.
“I was a stopper my freshman year with a very good team,” Kuhn said. “We graduated all but two players from that team. I’m used to being a defensive player.
“Coming in and now losing that attack we had with Audrey (Stephens), Gracie (Prather) and the twins (Kiara and Olivia McPherson), it’s definitely been an adjustment.
“Now I like being in the middle.”
Sophomore midfielder Bella Vargas saw her planned debut a year ago struck down by the pandemic. Missing that year deprived her of an invaluable experience.
She is starting to make up for lost time. Her unselfish style and shot creation is the developing foundation of the Blackhawks’ attack. “I love to create,” she said.
Now circumstances and the volatility of the moment have also reoriented the calculus of the team and pushed Kuhn and Vargas to become the offensive catalysts.
Their explosive collaboration yielded the Blackhawks’ most potent offensive performance of the season. Wagley shifted Kuhn to the top of the attack and fireworks ensued.
Kuhn scored four goals and Vargas contributed the other pair and three assists in the Blackhawks’ 6-0 victory over Joliet Central in Southwest Prairie Conference play Thursday.
Kuhn and Vargas shared the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match distinction for their outstanding play.
West Aurora (3-4-1, 3-2-1) posted its fourth shutout and second in the last three games.
“I think we have a really great connection,” Vargas said. “We communicate a lot, every time she’s up at the top of the formation. I think we do pretty well communication-wise.
“I have her back, and she has mine.”
Kuhn and Vargas each has five goals on the season.
Kuhn is part of an elite athletic family. Her older sister Stephanie holds the school record in the pole vault and finished second in the Class 3A state meet in 2019. She is now a standout freshman at Ohio State.
Lizzy Kuhn is long, wiry and lithe, and she demonstrated great timing, presence and explosiveness on the ball. She even played the last 15 minutes at keeper after starter Madi Russell had to leave the game early.
“Offensively we had some adjustments this game, and we’re still trying out different things,” Kuhn said. “Everybody plays different positions on their club teams, so we’re all trying new things and trying stuff out.”
The experimentation and working through of new roles was apparent through the early going as the Blackhawks looked to settle down offensively.
Vargas broke through in the 28th minute on a sharp ball by forward Alphoncine Tuyisenge that sent the Blackhawks off and running.
“I love to give those great balls, but I’m also pretty technical with the ball,” Vargas said. “If I can find the space myself, I try to take it and score goals.”
Kuhn took over from there by scoring the next four goals. In the 39th minute, Russell sent a booming punt that Kuhn gathered in space and drilled for the 2-0 lead at halftime.
Playing beautifully off the creative and precise passing of Vargas, Kuhn was just getting warmed up.
During one breathtaking three-minute stretch, the two players turned the field into their private domain in amplifying their special talents and abilities to overwhelm the Steelwomen (0-6-0, 0-4-0).
Kuhn scored three goals in three minutes -- each one facilitated by the resourceful and gifted Vargas.
“When they switched me to playing forward, Bella had so many good balls in and I was able to run onto them,” Kuhn said. “I think she has really good balls from the middle, which is helpful when you’re up top.”
Kuhn’s positional versatility underscores her expanded role on the team. She has now shifted from the precocious apprentice to team leader and captain.
She credits her evolution to playing with Audrey Stephens, the two-time Chicagoland Soccer all-state forward who tied for the team lead in goals at Indiana State this spring.
“I learned so much from watching her as well as playing with the seniors,” Kuhn said. “The leadership and all the goal-scoring, especially from Audrey, was inspirational, especially being a captain now.
“I know how to act, I know to lead, I know how to address the team when they’re not at their best or when they’re at their best. They were phenomenal players to play with and trying to replicate that is what we’re trying to do.”
Vargas completed the scoring with her second goal in the 68th minute off an assist by sophomore midfielder Cristal Gutierrez.
The Blackhawks have played without their best defender, junior sweeper Krystal Diaz, over the last four games due to health and safety protocols. Sophomore Xochitl Galvan has emerged as another dynamic talent.
“With missing Krystal it’s a big adjustment, if that makes sense, because she is the heart of the back,” Galvan said. “She redirects everyone, starting from defense going to offense.
“The first game without her was very difficult. Otherwise, we have been able to adjust. It’s not the same. We can do what we have to. I try to communicate a lot with them. We know who’s covering, who’s staying back and who’s dropping.”
Apart from a one-sided loss against Streamwood, West Aurora has been competitive in every game. Now Wagley is hopeful the offense catches up to the defense.
“Earlier this season we were losing, but our defense is by far the best part of our game,” Wagley said. “We just have to get scoring. Hopefully today’s game relaxes and gives our girls the confidence -- knowing we can score. We know how to score.
“Hopefully we could put both pieces together.”
Starting lineups
Joliet Central
GK: Nikki Aguirre
D: Jackie Silva
D: Wendy Guzman
D: Crystal Rangel
D: Emma Schlismann
MF: Lexi Ortiz
MF: Dani Rosiles
MF: Diose Tenorio
MF: Gianna Perez
F: Johanna Reyes
F: Alyssa Caracheo
West Aurora
GK: Madi Russell
D: Kat Hernandez
D: Xochitl Galvan
D: Arely Lares
D: Fatima Burciaga
MF: Arely Soto
MF: Bella Vargas
MF: Lizzy Kuhn
MF: Brenda Juarez
F: Alphoncine Tuyisenge
F: Jazmin Quinto
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match: Lizzy Kuhn, jr., MF/GK, West Aurora;
Bella Vargas, soph., MF, West Aurora
Scoring summary
First half
West Aurora—Bella Vargas (Alphoncine Tuyisenge), 28th minute
West Aurora—Lizzy Kuhn (Madi Russell), 39th minute
Second half
West Aurora—Kuhn (Vargas), 59th minute
West Aurora—Kuhn (Vargas), 60th minute
West Aurora—Kuhn (Vargas), 61st minute
West Aurora—Vargas (Cristal Gutierrez), 68th minute