Lyons spoils reunion for Geneva coach
Visiting Lions post 3-0 win in battle of top 20 teams
By Jared Birchfield
GENEVA -- When Geneva hosted Lyons on Thursday night at Burgess Field, it was a reunion of sorts for Vikings coach Megan Owens.
The last time Owens was on the same pitch as the Lions, she wore their kit.
Lyons, ranked second in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, did not give its alumna any breaks in the nonconference match. The Lions handed Geneva its first loss of the season by a 3-0 decision.
Owens was upbeat after the contest
“I think it was a great game for us. The scoreboard doesn't reflect it, but I think it's the best game we've played so far this year,” the Geneva coach said. “They scored on two set pieces when we lost our focus at the end of half, but those are fixable things. I'm very impressed with our effort against a traditionally strong program.”
Owens also hopes the match is the first of many between the two programs.
“I'm an LT grad. They were second in state last year. I was second in state my senior year, so I followed them last year. I was cheering and rooting them on,” she said. “Tonight, was a really fun game, and I want to continue that. so I'll be at their place next year “
No. 20 Geneva started out strong but could not convert its initial scoring opportunities into goals. Junior forward Morgan Rudowicz took the first shot on goal at the 37:51 mark of the first half. Her boot from 30 yards went over the net. During the next eight minutes, the Vikings had four corner kicks and one free kick that were either stopped by Lyons keeper and Illinois recruit Izzy Lee or were wide of the mark.
Momentum then swung to the Lions. Coach Bill Lanspeary felt his team needed time to settle in.
“They came out flying,” he said. “They were faster to the ball than we were, just very dangerous and aggressive in the attack. They had us on our heels in those first 10 minutes.
“I think we kind of panicked a little, but once we've settled down and started connecting on passes and keeping the ball, we were much better.”
Izzi Wirtz, the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match, agreed her team needed time to hit its stride.
“I think we started off a little slow,” said the sophomore midfielder. “We weren't picking up with the pace we needed to. I think after 15 minutes we kind of realized that something needed to change.
“We started playing with more speed and connecting in the middle and throughout the field. I think when we picked up our momentum, it kind of carried us and then we were dominating after that.”
Kate Fulscher scored Lyon’s first goal in the 18th minute on a free kick. The senior’s shot from 45 yards sailed over the wall of Geneva defenders and found the left corner of the net.
The goal and a stepped-up defense boosted the Lions’ moral according to Lanspeary.
“Scoring the first goal always settles you down a little bit,” he said. “After that we had a little bit more confidence on the ball. You play a little bit better when you have that confidence too.
“After the first 10 minutes I thought our defense was really solid against a dangerous attack. I was very pleased with how they communicated today, and they did a nice job of limiting opportunities.”
Owens felt that Lyons (3-0-0) quickly made changes to counter Geneva’s style
“I think we came out strong. Obviously, they're a very good program, and they made adjustments during the game,” Owens said. “It was a good battle in the midfield. They're double our size, so I just impressed with our effort against them.”
Eleanor Musgrove knocked in an insurance goal with 1:46 left to play in the first half. The Air Force commit took a cross from Sarah Schierl just outside the right corner of the goal box and tapped it in.
Wirtz earned MVP honors by scoring the team’s third goal and effectively containing Geneva’s Rilee Hasagawa.
“She was patrolling the middle of the field and controlling number 9 (Hasagawa), their playmaker,” said Lanspeary. “(Hasagawa) is an excellent player, very dangerous. I thought we did a nice job limiting her ability to create too much for them.”
Owens was pleased with Geneva’s performance in the middle of the pitch.
“I thought the midfield was pretty solid. I think they did a good job of challenging every ball. I think Rilee did an excellent job,” Owens said. “Kendall Forbes, she's a new player to varsity this year, had to step in today. She did a great job for us in the midfield.”
Wirtz capped the scoring with her first goal of the season. She headed in a Musgrove corner kick in the 53rd minute.
“On the corners before, nobody was really going to it so on that one I tried to get away from my player and get open. And what I saw it coming at me, I headed it into the goal,” Writz said. “It felt great scoring my first goal. I was kind of shocked in the moment, but it was overwhelming I was so happy.”
Overall, Owens thought her team kept pace with Lyons.
“It was a great battle. We matched their speed well, defended their speed well,” she said. “We played very physical and didn't get pushed off the ball. I saw a lot of positives.
“We had our opportunities. We had a lot of corner kicks. We had a solid effort. We were connecting and making opportunities against a program of their strength. I think it was a great showing for us.”
Owens was also pleased with the defense for Geneva (3-1-0).
“I think our defense was pretty solid,” she said. “I think they did a great job communicating. We have a few things we have to fix but they really didn't score any goals in the run of game. They didn't have any fast breaks.
“Leyna Yonehara had a great game tonight as center back. She's a sophomore. She never played that position before, and she's doing a tremendous job for us.”
Sophomore forward Olivia Rawls has impressed in her second varsity campaign.
“Oliva is doing a great job up-top,” Owens said.
Lyons continues to roll on. Since the start of the 2021 season, they have won 23-of-24-games, with 21 of them shutouts. The only loss was a 1-0 decision to O’Fallon in the Class 3A championship.
“We generated a lot of good chances against the quality team so I'm pretty pleased with it,” Lanspeary said. “I mean you're always trying to get better but, in every aspect, I'm very pleased with where we're at right now.”
Starting lineups
Lyons
GK – Izzy Lee
D – Rielly Chesna
D - Ava Pike
D – Kate Fulscher
D – Brennan Isreal
M – Josie Pochocki
M – Eleanor Musgrove
M – Izzi Wirtz
F – Caroline Mortonson
F – Katie O’Malley
F – Chandlar Lay
Geneva
GK – Jordan Forbes
D – Morgan Slagle
D – Kendall Forbes
D – Isabella Walls
D – Leyna Yonehara
M – Kya Trejo
M- Rilee Hasegawa
M -Caroline Madden
F – Olivia Rawls
F – Alana Rawls
F – Morgan Rudowicz
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Izzi Wirtz, so., F, Lyons
Scoring summary
First half
Lyons: Kate Fulscher 18th minute
Lyons: Eleanor Musgrove (Sarah Schierl) 38th minute
Second half
Lyons: Izzi Wirtz (Eleanor Musgrove) 53rd minute
Visiting Lions post 3-0 win in battle of top 20 teams
By Jared Birchfield
GENEVA -- When Geneva hosted Lyons on Thursday night at Burgess Field, it was a reunion of sorts for Vikings coach Megan Owens.
The last time Owens was on the same pitch as the Lions, she wore their kit.
Lyons, ranked second in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, did not give its alumna any breaks in the nonconference match. The Lions handed Geneva its first loss of the season by a 3-0 decision.
Owens was upbeat after the contest
“I think it was a great game for us. The scoreboard doesn't reflect it, but I think it's the best game we've played so far this year,” the Geneva coach said. “They scored on two set pieces when we lost our focus at the end of half, but those are fixable things. I'm very impressed with our effort against a traditionally strong program.”
Owens also hopes the match is the first of many between the two programs.
“I'm an LT grad. They were second in state last year. I was second in state my senior year, so I followed them last year. I was cheering and rooting them on,” she said. “Tonight, was a really fun game, and I want to continue that. so I'll be at their place next year “
No. 20 Geneva started out strong but could not convert its initial scoring opportunities into goals. Junior forward Morgan Rudowicz took the first shot on goal at the 37:51 mark of the first half. Her boot from 30 yards went over the net. During the next eight minutes, the Vikings had four corner kicks and one free kick that were either stopped by Lyons keeper and Illinois recruit Izzy Lee or were wide of the mark.
Momentum then swung to the Lions. Coach Bill Lanspeary felt his team needed time to settle in.
“They came out flying,” he said. “They were faster to the ball than we were, just very dangerous and aggressive in the attack. They had us on our heels in those first 10 minutes.
“I think we kind of panicked a little, but once we've settled down and started connecting on passes and keeping the ball, we were much better.”
Izzi Wirtz, the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match, agreed her team needed time to hit its stride.
“I think we started off a little slow,” said the sophomore midfielder. “We weren't picking up with the pace we needed to. I think after 15 minutes we kind of realized that something needed to change.
“We started playing with more speed and connecting in the middle and throughout the field. I think when we picked up our momentum, it kind of carried us and then we were dominating after that.”
Kate Fulscher scored Lyon’s first goal in the 18th minute on a free kick. The senior’s shot from 45 yards sailed over the wall of Geneva defenders and found the left corner of the net.
The goal and a stepped-up defense boosted the Lions’ moral according to Lanspeary.
“Scoring the first goal always settles you down a little bit,” he said. “After that we had a little bit more confidence on the ball. You play a little bit better when you have that confidence too.
“After the first 10 minutes I thought our defense was really solid against a dangerous attack. I was very pleased with how they communicated today, and they did a nice job of limiting opportunities.”
Owens felt that Lyons (3-0-0) quickly made changes to counter Geneva’s style
“I think we came out strong. Obviously, they're a very good program, and they made adjustments during the game,” Owens said. “It was a good battle in the midfield. They're double our size, so I just impressed with our effort against them.”
Eleanor Musgrove knocked in an insurance goal with 1:46 left to play in the first half. The Air Force commit took a cross from Sarah Schierl just outside the right corner of the goal box and tapped it in.
Wirtz earned MVP honors by scoring the team’s third goal and effectively containing Geneva’s Rilee Hasagawa.
“She was patrolling the middle of the field and controlling number 9 (Hasagawa), their playmaker,” said Lanspeary. “(Hasagawa) is an excellent player, very dangerous. I thought we did a nice job limiting her ability to create too much for them.”
Owens was pleased with Geneva’s performance in the middle of the pitch.
“I thought the midfield was pretty solid. I think they did a good job of challenging every ball. I think Rilee did an excellent job,” Owens said. “Kendall Forbes, she's a new player to varsity this year, had to step in today. She did a great job for us in the midfield.”
Wirtz capped the scoring with her first goal of the season. She headed in a Musgrove corner kick in the 53rd minute.
“On the corners before, nobody was really going to it so on that one I tried to get away from my player and get open. And what I saw it coming at me, I headed it into the goal,” Writz said. “It felt great scoring my first goal. I was kind of shocked in the moment, but it was overwhelming I was so happy.”
Overall, Owens thought her team kept pace with Lyons.
“It was a great battle. We matched their speed well, defended their speed well,” she said. “We played very physical and didn't get pushed off the ball. I saw a lot of positives.
“We had our opportunities. We had a lot of corner kicks. We had a solid effort. We were connecting and making opportunities against a program of their strength. I think it was a great showing for us.”
Owens was also pleased with the defense for Geneva (3-1-0).
“I think our defense was pretty solid,” she said. “I think they did a great job communicating. We have a few things we have to fix but they really didn't score any goals in the run of game. They didn't have any fast breaks.
“Leyna Yonehara had a great game tonight as center back. She's a sophomore. She never played that position before, and she's doing a tremendous job for us.”
Sophomore forward Olivia Rawls has impressed in her second varsity campaign.
“Oliva is doing a great job up-top,” Owens said.
Lyons continues to roll on. Since the start of the 2021 season, they have won 23-of-24-games, with 21 of them shutouts. The only loss was a 1-0 decision to O’Fallon in the Class 3A championship.
“We generated a lot of good chances against the quality team so I'm pretty pleased with it,” Lanspeary said. “I mean you're always trying to get better but, in every aspect, I'm very pleased with where we're at right now.”
Starting lineups
Lyons
GK – Izzy Lee
D – Rielly Chesna
D - Ava Pike
D – Kate Fulscher
D – Brennan Isreal
M – Josie Pochocki
M – Eleanor Musgrove
M – Izzi Wirtz
F – Caroline Mortonson
F – Katie O’Malley
F – Chandlar Lay
Geneva
GK – Jordan Forbes
D – Morgan Slagle
D – Kendall Forbes
D – Isabella Walls
D – Leyna Yonehara
M – Kya Trejo
M- Rilee Hasegawa
M -Caroline Madden
F – Olivia Rawls
F – Alana Rawls
F – Morgan Rudowicz
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Izzi Wirtz, so., F, Lyons
Scoring summary
First half
Lyons: Kate Fulscher 18th minute
Lyons: Eleanor Musgrove (Sarah Schierl) 38th minute
Second half
Lyons: Izzi Wirtz (Eleanor Musgrove) 53rd minute