Murphy powers Lyons past Hinsdale C.
Illini-bound midfielder scores twice in 3-0 win
By Dave Owen
HINSDALE – Lyons Township senior Eileen Murphy is often the brightest star on the field, a status that has earned her a scholarship to play at Illinois next season.
Tuesday, facing top rival Hinsdale Central had Murphy shining even more than usual.
The star midfielder’s two goals and stellar all-around play powered the Lions (2-0-1) to a 3-0 win over the Red Devils (1-3-1) in the WSC Silver opener for both teams.
And Murphy’s incredible effort and finish on the game’s first goal with 21:40 left in the first half was extra special even by her high standards.
Winning a high Hinsdale Central goal kick send 40 yards downfield, Murphy headed the ball forward to herself in traffic, maintained the dribble between two defenders and lined a 20-yard shot high inside the right post for a 1-0 Lyons lead.
“There was a previous play where I had kind of flicked it over the (defender’s) head before, so I knew it was going to work.” Murphy said. “And I guess it just connected.
“The ball was bouncing, and I felt the girl coming. So I just flicked it over her head, took another touch and just hit a volley.
“That was pretty cool,” Murphy added, “and in a game like this. It really mattered.”
Facing Hinsdale Central has always mattered a little more than most games – a point Lyons coach Bill Lanspeary emphasized early Tuesday.
“We talked a little bit before the game and told our seniors, ‘this could be the last time you get to face Hinsdale. So make it count,’” Lanspeary said. “And she (Murphy) did. She was ready to play today for sure.
“Just to create that opportunity (for the first goal) out of what didn’t look like anything. That was great. She made something happen.”
The Lions had come out roaring even before grabbing the 1-0 lead. Hinsdale Central goalkeeper Taylor Ward was tested in the seventh minute with saves on both Ava Dallavo’s initial shot and Izzy Alvarado’s rebound.
Two minutes later, Ward’s diving grab at the right post denied Alvarado’s 15-yard shot. Then in the 10th minute, Murphy’s right side run ended with a 10-yard liner just wide of the left post.
A Lyons chance and big Red Devil counterattack showed the talent of both sides 24:10 before halftime.
Off a nice send by Murphy, Dallavo’s left side shot was denied by a Ward kick save and Alyssa Moncrief clear. That sprung Hinsdale Central’s Jackie Blake on a right side rush, which ended with a Lily Mattern blocked cross on a Blake long rebound shot on goal.
Then came Murphy’s extra-effort goal – and the Lions didn’t rest on their 1-0 lead for long.
With 17:50 left in the first half, Murphy’s nice send sprung Tess Grzegorek up the right side. Olivia Wirtz took Grzegorek’s cross in front and lined her first shot off the right post – then angled her own rebound into the lower left corner of the net.
“The first shot hit the bar,” Wirtz said, “and then the other one I didn’t think I was going to get it because it was kind of rolling slowly (into the far corner of the net). But it did (go in).
“I was kind of like ‘darn’ (after it hit the post),” Wirtz added. “But then I realized it was bouncing right back to me, so I was like ‘oh well, I have to shoot again. I can’t just watch it go by me.’”
Said Lanspeary: “That was a big goal – and again that started with a nice ball from Eileen. And Tess made a nice play on the outside to battle through a defender, and got the ball served back. And Olivia stuck with it (after hitting the post), which was awesome.”
Defense on both sides controlled the remainder of the half.
Lyons’ Aleix Drobny (29th minute) and Grace Truax (32nd minute) nicely cleared Red Devil chances near the box, then Hinsdale Central’s Sophie Simmons’ block of a Meara Hilling 15-yard shot 25 seconds before halftime kept the score 2-0 at the break.
And set the stage for a much more evenly played second half.
“At halftime,” Blake said, “we came together and decided as a team that we needed to play more calm and needed to play our game – keep possession and not worry about the score.
“So I definitely think that helped. We stayed positive throughout it.”
The Red Devils defense had the same approach.
“We were talking a lot about stepping up as a unit,” Simmons said. “And as a team, right when we won (the ball) we had to step up right away. I think in the second half we did a better job with that.”
After Red Devils second half goalkeeper Fiona Fitzsimmons’ catch of a Linnea Nelson-Sandall low liner with 36:15 left, Hinsdale Central had the advantage over the next 11 minutes.
That push included LT goalkeeper Sophie Grabis’ short hop stop of a Caroline Lyman end line shot (29:30 to play) and Cernugel’s lofting one-timer off a Blake cross that resulted in a juggling catch by Grabis (25:40 left).
But just as the Red Devils seemed to be gaining momentum, Murphy struck again to clinch the Lyons win.
Off a pass from Wirtz right of the net, Murphy was tripped in the box with 21:10 left. Murphy lined the ensuing penalty kick inside the right post, and the Lions led 3-0.
“We were a better team than Saturday (a 4-0 loss to Batavia),” Hinsdale Central coach Tony Madonia said. “The second half was much better. That PK sucked all the air out of us.
“But Bill’s a great coach, and he’s got a lot of girls that are working hard for him.”
Murphy’s work had the most impact.
“Eileen is great,” Madonia said. “In the second half she was pretty much invisible after we put Sam Guido on her. But the first half she tore it up.”
Despite the deficit, the Red Devils didn’t quit.
After Guido (a 45-yard free kick caught by Grabis) and LT’s Elaina Simms (shot deflected just wide with 17:20 left) had dueling chances, the Red Devils produced their best bid of the night with 9:20 to go.
Off a Blake corner kick, Lyman’s 8-yard header seemingly headed high into the net was deflected just over the crossbar by a leaping Grabis.
The ensuing second Blake corner kick send nearly connected with Lyman and Olivia Rayis near the crease. But Grabis covered the loose ball in the scramble.
“Sophie came up big a couple times when she needed to,” Lanspeary said, “and the defense did a nice job limiting their opportunities. Even though Central had the ball for a little bit, they didn’t get many great opportunities. That was something we talked about, to just try to keep things in front of us and not let them slide in behind.
“(Our defenders) did a nice job with that, and then our forwards are starting to make some better runs off the ball too and connect a little better with our midfielders.”
The Lions third straight shutout to open 2019 was sealed with 8:30 to go, when Rayis (closely marked by Truax) sent a Blake cross wide left.
“(The defense) did a really nice job,” Lanspeary said. “We have new center backs back there, so we’re working on things. And our communication isn’t always as good as it could be. But they work hard, and they’re starting to work better together. And that makes a big difference.
“We had lost both center backs from last year. And Nora Blake who has played there – she hurt her foot yesterday. So we tried Lily Mattern back there (tonight) and I thought she did a nice job.”
The result of it all? In a long Lyons-Hinsdale Central series that has historically produced back-and-forth wins, the Lions earned their third victory in a row.
“It’s a huge rivalry, so it’s great to come out like this,” Murphy said. “Especially our first conference game. It’s still only our third game of the year, so we’re a pretty new team. And they (Hinsdale Central) have had a lot of games against good teams too. It was a good game.
“I think it was a good test for us. It’s still early, we played pretty well. And we have a lot of tournament games coming up against some big competition, so I think we’ll only get better from here.”
Wirtz echoed that optimism.
“The same as Eileen (said), we can only get better from here,” she said. “It’s the beginning of the season and there’s a lot of work to do, but I feel we can come out really great at the end.”
The Red Devils postgame viewpoint mixed respect for the Lions with their own optimism going forward.
“I just appreciate Bill,” Madonia said. “He’s a great guy, a great coach, with a super respectful team and everything. It’s a tough one to lose and it’ll sting for awhile, but we’ve learned some things.”
Said Blake: “LT is great competition. I thought we played really well the second half. Unfortunately we weren’t able to get a goal, but that’s something we’re definitely looking forward to throughout the season.
“I definitely think our offense was a lot stronger than Saturday,” Blake added. “We still have to work on getting the ball in the goal, but that’s something we’re working towards. Our runs were a lot better, and I think our captains helped us with their leadership skills. And as a unit we’re doing a lot better.”
The Red Devils captains set a great example Tuesday. Lyman had to be carried off with severe leg cramps with 18 minutes left. But she returned four minutes later and nearly scored.
Fellow co-captain Simmons also showed major fight, playing all 80 minutes.
“At tryouts we did a lot of workouts and stuff,” Simmons said. “It’s hard, but we have a lot of endurance as a team.
“Like Jackie said, they (the Lions) are a really great team,” Simmons added. “And obviously it’s tough losing, but it’s early in the season and I think we’re definitely going to improve.”
Blake played the last 70 minutes of the match, making countless runs up the wings to generate chances.
“Coach Madonia prepared us mentally,” she said. “As much as you want to be in physical shape, it’s a mental game. If you can push yourself mentally you can push yourself physically as much as you want.”
But for victorious Lyons, Murphy’s excellence and the first-half offensive push were difference makers.
“We knew from previous games that putting pressure on their defense would give us more opportunities for them to make mistakes,” Wirtz said. “So we just wanted to keep up the pressure on offensively so we could create opportunities.”
“And it’s really great to win because of the rivalry. Last year we beat them too, and the year before, so it’s good to keep up that winning streak against them.”
Starting lineups:
Lyons:
GK: Sophie Grabis
D: Bri Stirrat
D: Grace Truax
D: Lily Mattern
D: Izzy Alvarado
M: Meara Hilling
M: Georgia Dougherty
M: Eileen Murphy
M: Peri Kracker
F: Linnea Nelson-Sandall
F: Ava Davallo
Hinsdale Central:
GK: Taylor Ward
D: Olivia Rayis
D: Sophie Simmons
D: Sam Moriarty
D: Alyssa Moncrief
M: Sarah Cernugel
M: Elle Jenkins
M: Lindsey May
M: Sammy Guido
F: Caroline Lyman
F: Caroline Fryzel
MVP of the Match: Eileen Murphy, sr. M, Lyons
Scoring summary
First half
Lyons – Eileen Murphy (unassisted), 19th minute
Lyons – Olivia Wirtz (rebound), 23rd minute
Second half
Lyons – Murphy (PK), 59th minute
Illini-bound midfielder scores twice in 3-0 win
By Dave Owen
HINSDALE – Lyons Township senior Eileen Murphy is often the brightest star on the field, a status that has earned her a scholarship to play at Illinois next season.
Tuesday, facing top rival Hinsdale Central had Murphy shining even more than usual.
The star midfielder’s two goals and stellar all-around play powered the Lions (2-0-1) to a 3-0 win over the Red Devils (1-3-1) in the WSC Silver opener for both teams.
And Murphy’s incredible effort and finish on the game’s first goal with 21:40 left in the first half was extra special even by her high standards.
Winning a high Hinsdale Central goal kick send 40 yards downfield, Murphy headed the ball forward to herself in traffic, maintained the dribble between two defenders and lined a 20-yard shot high inside the right post for a 1-0 Lyons lead.
“There was a previous play where I had kind of flicked it over the (defender’s) head before, so I knew it was going to work.” Murphy said. “And I guess it just connected.
“The ball was bouncing, and I felt the girl coming. So I just flicked it over her head, took another touch and just hit a volley.
“That was pretty cool,” Murphy added, “and in a game like this. It really mattered.”
Facing Hinsdale Central has always mattered a little more than most games – a point Lyons coach Bill Lanspeary emphasized early Tuesday.
“We talked a little bit before the game and told our seniors, ‘this could be the last time you get to face Hinsdale. So make it count,’” Lanspeary said. “And she (Murphy) did. She was ready to play today for sure.
“Just to create that opportunity (for the first goal) out of what didn’t look like anything. That was great. She made something happen.”
The Lions had come out roaring even before grabbing the 1-0 lead. Hinsdale Central goalkeeper Taylor Ward was tested in the seventh minute with saves on both Ava Dallavo’s initial shot and Izzy Alvarado’s rebound.
Two minutes later, Ward’s diving grab at the right post denied Alvarado’s 15-yard shot. Then in the 10th minute, Murphy’s right side run ended with a 10-yard liner just wide of the left post.
A Lyons chance and big Red Devil counterattack showed the talent of both sides 24:10 before halftime.
Off a nice send by Murphy, Dallavo’s left side shot was denied by a Ward kick save and Alyssa Moncrief clear. That sprung Hinsdale Central’s Jackie Blake on a right side rush, which ended with a Lily Mattern blocked cross on a Blake long rebound shot on goal.
Then came Murphy’s extra-effort goal – and the Lions didn’t rest on their 1-0 lead for long.
With 17:50 left in the first half, Murphy’s nice send sprung Tess Grzegorek up the right side. Olivia Wirtz took Grzegorek’s cross in front and lined her first shot off the right post – then angled her own rebound into the lower left corner of the net.
“The first shot hit the bar,” Wirtz said, “and then the other one I didn’t think I was going to get it because it was kind of rolling slowly (into the far corner of the net). But it did (go in).
“I was kind of like ‘darn’ (after it hit the post),” Wirtz added. “But then I realized it was bouncing right back to me, so I was like ‘oh well, I have to shoot again. I can’t just watch it go by me.’”
Said Lanspeary: “That was a big goal – and again that started with a nice ball from Eileen. And Tess made a nice play on the outside to battle through a defender, and got the ball served back. And Olivia stuck with it (after hitting the post), which was awesome.”
Defense on both sides controlled the remainder of the half.
Lyons’ Aleix Drobny (29th minute) and Grace Truax (32nd minute) nicely cleared Red Devil chances near the box, then Hinsdale Central’s Sophie Simmons’ block of a Meara Hilling 15-yard shot 25 seconds before halftime kept the score 2-0 at the break.
And set the stage for a much more evenly played second half.
“At halftime,” Blake said, “we came together and decided as a team that we needed to play more calm and needed to play our game – keep possession and not worry about the score.
“So I definitely think that helped. We stayed positive throughout it.”
The Red Devils defense had the same approach.
“We were talking a lot about stepping up as a unit,” Simmons said. “And as a team, right when we won (the ball) we had to step up right away. I think in the second half we did a better job with that.”
After Red Devils second half goalkeeper Fiona Fitzsimmons’ catch of a Linnea Nelson-Sandall low liner with 36:15 left, Hinsdale Central had the advantage over the next 11 minutes.
That push included LT goalkeeper Sophie Grabis’ short hop stop of a Caroline Lyman end line shot (29:30 to play) and Cernugel’s lofting one-timer off a Blake cross that resulted in a juggling catch by Grabis (25:40 left).
But just as the Red Devils seemed to be gaining momentum, Murphy struck again to clinch the Lyons win.
Off a pass from Wirtz right of the net, Murphy was tripped in the box with 21:10 left. Murphy lined the ensuing penalty kick inside the right post, and the Lions led 3-0.
“We were a better team than Saturday (a 4-0 loss to Batavia),” Hinsdale Central coach Tony Madonia said. “The second half was much better. That PK sucked all the air out of us.
“But Bill’s a great coach, and he’s got a lot of girls that are working hard for him.”
Murphy’s work had the most impact.
“Eileen is great,” Madonia said. “In the second half she was pretty much invisible after we put Sam Guido on her. But the first half she tore it up.”
Despite the deficit, the Red Devils didn’t quit.
After Guido (a 45-yard free kick caught by Grabis) and LT’s Elaina Simms (shot deflected just wide with 17:20 left) had dueling chances, the Red Devils produced their best bid of the night with 9:20 to go.
Off a Blake corner kick, Lyman’s 8-yard header seemingly headed high into the net was deflected just over the crossbar by a leaping Grabis.
The ensuing second Blake corner kick send nearly connected with Lyman and Olivia Rayis near the crease. But Grabis covered the loose ball in the scramble.
“Sophie came up big a couple times when she needed to,” Lanspeary said, “and the defense did a nice job limiting their opportunities. Even though Central had the ball for a little bit, they didn’t get many great opportunities. That was something we talked about, to just try to keep things in front of us and not let them slide in behind.
“(Our defenders) did a nice job with that, and then our forwards are starting to make some better runs off the ball too and connect a little better with our midfielders.”
The Lions third straight shutout to open 2019 was sealed with 8:30 to go, when Rayis (closely marked by Truax) sent a Blake cross wide left.
“(The defense) did a really nice job,” Lanspeary said. “We have new center backs back there, so we’re working on things. And our communication isn’t always as good as it could be. But they work hard, and they’re starting to work better together. And that makes a big difference.
“We had lost both center backs from last year. And Nora Blake who has played there – she hurt her foot yesterday. So we tried Lily Mattern back there (tonight) and I thought she did a nice job.”
The result of it all? In a long Lyons-Hinsdale Central series that has historically produced back-and-forth wins, the Lions earned their third victory in a row.
“It’s a huge rivalry, so it’s great to come out like this,” Murphy said. “Especially our first conference game. It’s still only our third game of the year, so we’re a pretty new team. And they (Hinsdale Central) have had a lot of games against good teams too. It was a good game.
“I think it was a good test for us. It’s still early, we played pretty well. And we have a lot of tournament games coming up against some big competition, so I think we’ll only get better from here.”
Wirtz echoed that optimism.
“The same as Eileen (said), we can only get better from here,” she said. “It’s the beginning of the season and there’s a lot of work to do, but I feel we can come out really great at the end.”
The Red Devils postgame viewpoint mixed respect for the Lions with their own optimism going forward.
“I just appreciate Bill,” Madonia said. “He’s a great guy, a great coach, with a super respectful team and everything. It’s a tough one to lose and it’ll sting for awhile, but we’ve learned some things.”
Said Blake: “LT is great competition. I thought we played really well the second half. Unfortunately we weren’t able to get a goal, but that’s something we’re definitely looking forward to throughout the season.
“I definitely think our offense was a lot stronger than Saturday,” Blake added. “We still have to work on getting the ball in the goal, but that’s something we’re working towards. Our runs were a lot better, and I think our captains helped us with their leadership skills. And as a unit we’re doing a lot better.”
The Red Devils captains set a great example Tuesday. Lyman had to be carried off with severe leg cramps with 18 minutes left. But she returned four minutes later and nearly scored.
Fellow co-captain Simmons also showed major fight, playing all 80 minutes.
“At tryouts we did a lot of workouts and stuff,” Simmons said. “It’s hard, but we have a lot of endurance as a team.
“Like Jackie said, they (the Lions) are a really great team,” Simmons added. “And obviously it’s tough losing, but it’s early in the season and I think we’re definitely going to improve.”
Blake played the last 70 minutes of the match, making countless runs up the wings to generate chances.
“Coach Madonia prepared us mentally,” she said. “As much as you want to be in physical shape, it’s a mental game. If you can push yourself mentally you can push yourself physically as much as you want.”
But for victorious Lyons, Murphy’s excellence and the first-half offensive push were difference makers.
“We knew from previous games that putting pressure on their defense would give us more opportunities for them to make mistakes,” Wirtz said. “So we just wanted to keep up the pressure on offensively so we could create opportunities.”
“And it’s really great to win because of the rivalry. Last year we beat them too, and the year before, so it’s good to keep up that winning streak against them.”
Starting lineups:
Lyons:
GK: Sophie Grabis
D: Bri Stirrat
D: Grace Truax
D: Lily Mattern
D: Izzy Alvarado
M: Meara Hilling
M: Georgia Dougherty
M: Eileen Murphy
M: Peri Kracker
F: Linnea Nelson-Sandall
F: Ava Davallo
Hinsdale Central:
GK: Taylor Ward
D: Olivia Rayis
D: Sophie Simmons
D: Sam Moriarty
D: Alyssa Moncrief
M: Sarah Cernugel
M: Elle Jenkins
M: Lindsey May
M: Sammy Guido
F: Caroline Lyman
F: Caroline Fryzel
MVP of the Match: Eileen Murphy, sr. M, Lyons
Scoring summary
First half
Lyons – Eileen Murphy (unassisted), 19th minute
Lyons – Olivia Wirtz (rebound), 23rd minute
Second half
Lyons – Murphy (PK), 59th minute