Crispo, Egan power fast Lemont start
Indians capture seventh-straight regional title
By Patrick Z. McGavin
CHICAGO -- Mark the calendars. Lemont just sings at this time of the year.
Everything about the Indians is just built for the moment. Coach Rick Prangen has primed his program to be at its best in late May with the objective of playing at North Central College in Naperville.
It is not just accepted, a commonplace. It has taken on the ring of the deeply familiar.
“We know what to expect, and we also know what is expected from us as we go into the more difficult games,” senior midfielder Michaela Egan said. “We have this mentality of just going out hard and aggressive.”
This is go-time, and perhaps the only appropriate action is getting out of the way, or sending condolences to those programs standing in the Indians' path to their objective.
Elite forward Erin Crispo scored three goals in the first 10 minutes, and Lemont captured its seventh-consecutive regional title by routing host Brooks 9-0 in a Class AA final on the far southeast side on Friday afternoon.
Brooks has a stylized blue turf field in the style of Boise State that matches the Eagles’ colors, and it was the host side touched by a somber, melancholy state.
“Playing a powerhouse like Lemont, credit to them, because they are a great team,” Brooks coach Norberto Perez said. “They are amazing. At the end of the day, it’s 11 versus 11 and you never know what is going to happen. I told my kids, we played with heart, passion and determination.”
Brooks won the Chicago Public League 2nd Division South and moves up a level next year. Perez has nine seniors.
“Three of them are pursuing opportunities to play in college,” he said. “Not many of our girls play travel or club soccer, which is a problem. I think the unity this year was the difference. They wanted to win.
“We came in with the attitude this year we were going to win, and we did that.”
The second-seeded Indians (19-4-1) advance to play third-seeded Providence (7-12-2) in a sectional semifinal Wednesday at Rich East.
Lemont, ranked 15th in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, won its eighth game in a row. The Indians are now 13-1-0 since a 3-0 nonconference loss to Neuqua Valley on April 13.
Crispo is a dynamic player who shows tremendous creativity and exudes calmness as she breaks down a defense. She has the clarity and sureness of purpose to strike quickly and effectively.
Tenth-seeded Brooks had already made an impression when they dominated higher-seeded Crete-Monee 5-2 in the regional semifinal.
Crispo looked to make a statement right at the start and assert the Indians’ dominance.
She scored in the second, third and 10th minutes in a dazzling display that knocked Brooks for a loop.
“I think going into this game we had to have the mentality of going after it and just right away put the game away,” Crispo said.
“We wanted to shut down the other team and not give them any hope. That was really important for us today, coming out with energy, being focused on plays, making passes and finishing at the back of the net.”
Crispo earned Chicagoland Soccer All-State Watch List recognition after her brilliant varsity debut last year. As a sophomore, she scored 23 goals and added five assists for the Indians’ third place team.
In person she is quiet and understated. On the field she is something else entirely, a charged and intense performer. She earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match distinction for her outstanding play.
She helped set a tone that made her coach happy.
“What I liked about the game was the first 10 or 15 minutes, the first chances we had we put it in the back of the net,” Prangen said. “I’d like to have gotten seven [goals] in the first half [to necessitate a shortened second half], because otherwise you are just managing the game.
“We kept most of our defenders in there because they need the work, the time to pass the ball and move the ball around. We wanted to have kids stay healthy and get ready for our next game. At the same time you have to get something out of the game, otherwise it is just a wasted training session.”
Last year’s state run ended a peculiar history for the Indians. From 2009 to 2017, the Indians qualified for the state finals in every odd year. As a four-year varsity player, Egan has been a vital participant in that run.
“It was really cool, a great experience the past three years considering my freshman year we didn't go very far, which was fine because that was a lesson that we used since to motivate us,” Egan said.
“Last year we broke that odd-year run. That was an awesome feeling. We just need to keep our past in mind and work forward with it.”
Egan has been a rock and lets forwards Crispo, Katie Knutte and Victoria Silvar worry about the scoring.
“She has been great this year,” Prangen said. “From my senior class, as far as holdovers, she is the one starter who has been with us for four years. We have put a lot on her, and she has been tremendous, especially in the big games.
“You are only as good as your seniors in the playoffs.”
Off a free kick on the left wing from about 22 yards, Egan buried a beautiful touch for the fourth goal in the 14th minute.
“Honestly since I was young, I have been kicking the ball hard,” Egan said. “Since high school, I have not had the role because we had other girls who filled the space. This is the really the first year I have really stepped up and taken those shots.”
She is a physical and forceful player. By her admission her style is to be more demonstrative than vocal.
“What has changed about my role this year is that I have had to step up a little more,” she said. “I act more than I speak. I have to pay attention to everybody else. It is about holding each other accountable.”
Knutte and Silvar continued to shine for the Indians. Silvar recorded a goal and assist. Knutte blasted home a beautiful ball off a free kick from Tiffany Tanev in the 26th minute. Junior midfielder Danielle Irwin was credited with the sixth goal of the first half off a deflection.
Sophomore midfielder Mia Aleman put the finishing touches on the blowout with two goals.
Now the attention turns to the next stage against more formidable opposition. Lemont is ready.
“I think we have to focus on the smaller things and the details, playing as a team as a collective whole, focusing on the accuracy of the passes and our communication,” Crispo said.
Lemont opened the year in the Wheaton North Kickoff Classic against bigger programs. Not surprisingly those teams the Indians played early -- Class 3A teams Metea Valley and Sandburg, and Class AA Benet -- also won regionals. Lemont beat the host school, which lost in PKs to no. 14 Conant in the Cougars regional final Friday.
Prangen also highlighted strong performances against Andrew and Lincoln-Way West as indicators of the team’s growth.
“The tournament at the beginning was great for us because it tested us right away,” he said. “We played three really great teams in Iowa [in a third place bracket finish at the Tournament of Champions].
“I told these guys this, given where we are right now they have exceeded my expectations.”
Starting lineups
Brooks
Gk: Analisa Martinez
D: Iliana Hernandez
D: Claudia Muniz
D: Angelica Perez
D: Valeria Monreal
MF: Alexa Ordaz
MF: Ludna Pierre
MF: Giselle Huipio
F: Marissa Quiroz
F: Jacquelyn Romero
F: Britney Origel
Lemont
GK: Grace Kucharski
D: Anna Borzecki
D: Sofia Villarreal
D: Trinity Hatton
MF: Danielle Irwin
MF: Michaela Egan
MF: Maddy Counsil
MF: Adriana Patino
F: Erin Crispo
F: Victoria Silvar
F: Katie Knutte
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Erin Crispo, jr., F, Lemont
Scoring summary
First half
Lemont—Erin Crispo (unassisted), second minute
Lemont—Crispo (Victoria Silvar), third minute
Lemont—Crispo (Sofia Villarreal), 10th minute
Lemont—Michaela Egan (free kick), 14th minute
Lemont—Katie Knute (Tiffany Tanev), 26th minute
Lemont—Danielle Irwin (deflection), 35th minute
Second half
Lemont—Silvar (Morgan Hatton), 61st minute
Lemont—Mia Aleman (unassisted), 72nd minute
Lemont—Aleman (Kailey Wasyliw), 75th minute
Indians capture seventh-straight regional title
By Patrick Z. McGavin
CHICAGO -- Mark the calendars. Lemont just sings at this time of the year.
Everything about the Indians is just built for the moment. Coach Rick Prangen has primed his program to be at its best in late May with the objective of playing at North Central College in Naperville.
It is not just accepted, a commonplace. It has taken on the ring of the deeply familiar.
“We know what to expect, and we also know what is expected from us as we go into the more difficult games,” senior midfielder Michaela Egan said. “We have this mentality of just going out hard and aggressive.”
This is go-time, and perhaps the only appropriate action is getting out of the way, or sending condolences to those programs standing in the Indians' path to their objective.
Elite forward Erin Crispo scored three goals in the first 10 minutes, and Lemont captured its seventh-consecutive regional title by routing host Brooks 9-0 in a Class AA final on the far southeast side on Friday afternoon.
Brooks has a stylized blue turf field in the style of Boise State that matches the Eagles’ colors, and it was the host side touched by a somber, melancholy state.
“Playing a powerhouse like Lemont, credit to them, because they are a great team,” Brooks coach Norberto Perez said. “They are amazing. At the end of the day, it’s 11 versus 11 and you never know what is going to happen. I told my kids, we played with heart, passion and determination.”
Brooks won the Chicago Public League 2nd Division South and moves up a level next year. Perez has nine seniors.
“Three of them are pursuing opportunities to play in college,” he said. “Not many of our girls play travel or club soccer, which is a problem. I think the unity this year was the difference. They wanted to win.
“We came in with the attitude this year we were going to win, and we did that.”
The second-seeded Indians (19-4-1) advance to play third-seeded Providence (7-12-2) in a sectional semifinal Wednesday at Rich East.
Lemont, ranked 15th in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, won its eighth game in a row. The Indians are now 13-1-0 since a 3-0 nonconference loss to Neuqua Valley on April 13.
Crispo is a dynamic player who shows tremendous creativity and exudes calmness as she breaks down a defense. She has the clarity and sureness of purpose to strike quickly and effectively.
Tenth-seeded Brooks had already made an impression when they dominated higher-seeded Crete-Monee 5-2 in the regional semifinal.
Crispo looked to make a statement right at the start and assert the Indians’ dominance.
She scored in the second, third and 10th minutes in a dazzling display that knocked Brooks for a loop.
“I think going into this game we had to have the mentality of going after it and just right away put the game away,” Crispo said.
“We wanted to shut down the other team and not give them any hope. That was really important for us today, coming out with energy, being focused on plays, making passes and finishing at the back of the net.”
Crispo earned Chicagoland Soccer All-State Watch List recognition after her brilliant varsity debut last year. As a sophomore, she scored 23 goals and added five assists for the Indians’ third place team.
In person she is quiet and understated. On the field she is something else entirely, a charged and intense performer. She earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match distinction for her outstanding play.
She helped set a tone that made her coach happy.
“What I liked about the game was the first 10 or 15 minutes, the first chances we had we put it in the back of the net,” Prangen said. “I’d like to have gotten seven [goals] in the first half [to necessitate a shortened second half], because otherwise you are just managing the game.
“We kept most of our defenders in there because they need the work, the time to pass the ball and move the ball around. We wanted to have kids stay healthy and get ready for our next game. At the same time you have to get something out of the game, otherwise it is just a wasted training session.”
Last year’s state run ended a peculiar history for the Indians. From 2009 to 2017, the Indians qualified for the state finals in every odd year. As a four-year varsity player, Egan has been a vital participant in that run.
“It was really cool, a great experience the past three years considering my freshman year we didn't go very far, which was fine because that was a lesson that we used since to motivate us,” Egan said.
“Last year we broke that odd-year run. That was an awesome feeling. We just need to keep our past in mind and work forward with it.”
Egan has been a rock and lets forwards Crispo, Katie Knutte and Victoria Silvar worry about the scoring.
“She has been great this year,” Prangen said. “From my senior class, as far as holdovers, she is the one starter who has been with us for four years. We have put a lot on her, and she has been tremendous, especially in the big games.
“You are only as good as your seniors in the playoffs.”
Off a free kick on the left wing from about 22 yards, Egan buried a beautiful touch for the fourth goal in the 14th minute.
“Honestly since I was young, I have been kicking the ball hard,” Egan said. “Since high school, I have not had the role because we had other girls who filled the space. This is the really the first year I have really stepped up and taken those shots.”
She is a physical and forceful player. By her admission her style is to be more demonstrative than vocal.
“What has changed about my role this year is that I have had to step up a little more,” she said. “I act more than I speak. I have to pay attention to everybody else. It is about holding each other accountable.”
Knutte and Silvar continued to shine for the Indians. Silvar recorded a goal and assist. Knutte blasted home a beautiful ball off a free kick from Tiffany Tanev in the 26th minute. Junior midfielder Danielle Irwin was credited with the sixth goal of the first half off a deflection.
Sophomore midfielder Mia Aleman put the finishing touches on the blowout with two goals.
Now the attention turns to the next stage against more formidable opposition. Lemont is ready.
“I think we have to focus on the smaller things and the details, playing as a team as a collective whole, focusing on the accuracy of the passes and our communication,” Crispo said.
Lemont opened the year in the Wheaton North Kickoff Classic against bigger programs. Not surprisingly those teams the Indians played early -- Class 3A teams Metea Valley and Sandburg, and Class AA Benet -- also won regionals. Lemont beat the host school, which lost in PKs to no. 14 Conant in the Cougars regional final Friday.
Prangen also highlighted strong performances against Andrew and Lincoln-Way West as indicators of the team’s growth.
“The tournament at the beginning was great for us because it tested us right away,” he said. “We played three really great teams in Iowa [in a third place bracket finish at the Tournament of Champions].
“I told these guys this, given where we are right now they have exceeded my expectations.”
Starting lineups
Brooks
Gk: Analisa Martinez
D: Iliana Hernandez
D: Claudia Muniz
D: Angelica Perez
D: Valeria Monreal
MF: Alexa Ordaz
MF: Ludna Pierre
MF: Giselle Huipio
F: Marissa Quiroz
F: Jacquelyn Romero
F: Britney Origel
Lemont
GK: Grace Kucharski
D: Anna Borzecki
D: Sofia Villarreal
D: Trinity Hatton
MF: Danielle Irwin
MF: Michaela Egan
MF: Maddy Counsil
MF: Adriana Patino
F: Erin Crispo
F: Victoria Silvar
F: Katie Knutte
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Erin Crispo, jr., F, Lemont
Scoring summary
First half
Lemont—Erin Crispo (unassisted), second minute
Lemont—Crispo (Victoria Silvar), third minute
Lemont—Crispo (Sofia Villarreal), 10th minute
Lemont—Michaela Egan (free kick), 14th minute
Lemont—Katie Knute (Tiffany Tanev), 26th minute
Lemont—Danielle Irwin (deflection), 35th minute
Second half
Lemont—Silvar (Morgan Hatton), 61st minute
Lemont—Mia Aleman (unassisted), 72nd minute
Lemont—Aleman (Kailey Wasyliw), 75th minute