GK Lee makes all the right moves,
leads Lyons past Naperville North
Illini recruit dazzles in no. 3 Lyons’ win over no. 2 Naperville North
By Patrick Z. McGavin
NORTHFIELD -- Izzy Lee reclaimed history.
She put her finishing touches in punctuating a performance for the ages.
In the latest game of the year, Lee touched all sides and changed the outcome of a major showdown with her skill, poise, toughness and athleticism.
The Illinois recruit showed why she is the state’s top keeper.
Lee massed nine saves and made crucial blocks during the penalties phase as then no. 3 and new no. 1 Lyons defeated then no. 2 Naperville North in the semifinals of the 4th Annual Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic on Saturday at New Trier.
She saved her best for last.
After the first round of kicks ended at 2-2, Lee was credited with her first career goal as she blasted home her attempt into the lower left corner.
Lyons won the penalty kicks 3-2 in six rounds after regulation ended 1-1 and two overtimes produced no scoring.
Lyons (8-0-0) advanced to the title game against then no. 14 Loyola, who defeated no. 8 Stevenson 1-0.
Lyons defeated Loyola 1-0 Wednesday in a game that decided the Group C winner.
Because weather forced the semifinal round from Thursday to Saturday, the time and date for the all-Group C title game is to be determined.
Loyola is on break through Wednesday, and both programs are set to begin group play Thursday in the Naperville Invitational.
Lee’s kick followed her denial of the Huskies’ Peyton Hegner during the sudden death phase of the shootout.
“I did not have a strategy when I went up there,” Lee said. “This was the first time I ever shot a penalty in a game situation.
“I just knew I wanted to be part of the next group after our first five shooters.”
Lee blocked two North shooters and influenced two errant attempts.
Her counterpart, Abby Haskell, was equally brilliant.
Haskell stopped two shots and saw a third attempt hit off the bar.
“I have always loved penalties,” Haskell said. “It stings to lose. I have always enjoyed it, because everything is always in favor of the striker.
“When a keeper makes a save, it feels that much better.”
Josie Pochocki and Caroline Mortonson converted for Lyons.
Twin sisters Taylor and Madison Korosec made their shots for Naperville North.
Naperville North (9-1-1) is in the midst of a hellacious and remarkable nine-day schedule that included games against no. 13 Evanston, top-ranked Libertyville and the Lions.
On Monday, the Huskies play their rival, Naperville Central, which will move up two spots to no. 2 in the Top 25.
“This past week has been very exciting playing all of these top-level teams,” Haskell said. “Libertyville was a very tight game (a 0-0 tie), and we played really well.
“We played really well against Evanston (a 4-0 win), and now we are looking forward to Central on Monday.”
Naperville North had the advantage in play and quality of possession in the first half.
The pressure yielded a penalty kick in the 20th minute after Maggie Fitzgerald was fouled in the box.
Cameron Dinkla drilled the low liner past Lee to the right corner.
That was the first goal conceded by the Lions since giving up two goals against Young the first game of the season.
Lee entered the showdown with six-consecutive shutouts.
She made two spectacular stops of Taylor Korosec and Olivia Anderson in the first half.
“They were definitely coming at us hard,” Lee said. “Our defense has been doing a great job of holding the line and minimizing the chances.”
Lee kept the Lions close, allowing time and opportunity for their offense to get untracked.
“She made some big-time saves in that first half to keep us in the game,” Lyons coach Bill Lanspeary said.
“I felt great that our defense limited them, as good as they are. Not that they didn’t have anything, but we did a good job of limiting the set pieces.”
Naperville North's precision attack, speed on the wings and extraordinary actions on restarts have powered their attack.
The Huskies have been exceptional defensively, permitting just two goals through the first 10 games, with eight shutouts.
The center backs, Lucy Iverson and Norah Barry, are the central force. Their names also echo with the greatest era of Naperville North boys soccer.
Their brothers were centerpiece talents on the Huskies’ run of three-consecutive Class 3A state championships from 2016 through 2018.
Jack Barry had a goal and assist in the 3-1 championship over Barrington in 2016.
Colin Iverson scored the game-winning goals in consecutive 1-0 victories over Libertyville in 2017 and 2018.
Myles Barry started in the back for the 2018 team.
Colin Iverson was the Chicagoland Soccer Player of the Year in 2018.
“It’s really fun to fill his shoes and come into the program,” Lucy Iverson said.
“The coaches loved coaching them, and now it’s fun that they get to coach the same kind of player, just a different gender.”
Lucy Iverson’s extraordinary ability on throw-ins and set pieces is highly reminiscent of her brother.
Norah Barry’s touch on the throw-in conjures that of her brothers.
“Our brothers were here watching today,” Norah Barry said. “I would say both Lucy and I look up to our brothers and have them as role models.
“It gives you another reason to work hard, especially watching them win a couple of state championships and seeing how cool that experience was for them.”
“It’s really nice to have that role model you can ask questions, especially with plays in the air,” Lucy Iverson said.
“I remember Norah and I, when we were in 7th or 6th grade, and we were watching the games together and just looking up to them. We both wanted that same thing, and here we are.”
Lucy Iverson and Norah Barry also ran on the Huskies’ national powerhouse cross country program coached by Lucy’s father, Dan Iverson.
Both goals were scored on the south end, taking advantage of the wind.
Down a goal leading into the second half, Lee energized the team.
With leading scorer Eleanor Musgrove on a college visit to Air Force, where she is committed to play next year, Lyons had other players step up in her absence.
“Our midfield had to work really hard to stay with them, and they did a good job,” Lanspeary said.
“We came out in the second half with a little more fire and a little more urgency, and we kind of had them on their heels a bit.”
Lyons equalized in the 50th minute. Mortonson, an astonishingly poised freshman, continued to impress with her ballhandling and playmaking.
She got the ball on the left wing and played a terrific cross that forward Riley Wengerd made a great finishing run and blasted home a ball inside the near post.
“I was almost nervous, and shocked at how the ball came right to me,” Wengerd said.
“I just tried to place it.”
Everything changed and the momentum shifted to the Lions, though North had some compelling chances, especially in their set pieces.
Lee held firm and more than earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor.
She also reclaimed some honor for the Lions.
In the 2019 Class 3A state semifinals, Naperville North outlasted Lyons on penalty kicks.
Now a possible back-to-back collision in the Naperville Invitational would allow her to further strut her stuff.
Lyons once again proved last year’s near-perfect season and run to the state title game was no fluke.
“This was definitely a tough game,” Lee said. “It was definitely different from last year of playing these high-level teams early in the season.
“It feels good knowing where we stack up. It’s really good to get ready for what the playoffs are going to be like, and see what we do, and what we can change to do better.”
Starting lineups
Lyons
GK: Izzy Lee
D: Caroline McKenna
D: Kate Fulscher
D: Brennan Israel
D: Izzi Wirtz
MF: Rielly Chesna
MF: Ava Pike
MF: Josie Pochocki
F: Riley Wengerd
F: Katie O’Malley
F: Caroline Mortonson
Naperville North
GK: Abby Haskell
D: Maggie Fitzgerald
D: Lucy Iverson
D: Norah Barry
D: Peyton Hegner
MF: Cameron Dinkla
MF: Madison Korosec
MF: Ellie Gerner
F: Olivia Anderson
F: Taylor Korosec
F: Rachael Noren
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Izzy Lee, sr., GK, Lyons
Scoring summary
First half
Naperville North—Cameron Dinkla (penalty kick), 20th minute
Second half
Lyons—Riley Wengerd (Caroline Mortonson), 50th minute
First overtime
No scoring
Second overtime
No scoring
Penalty kicks
Naperville North: Taylor Korosec (made), Ellie Gerner (missed), Madison Korosec (made), Maggie Fitzgerald (missed), Cameron Dinkla (blocked), Peyton Hegner (blocked)
Lyons: Josie Pochocki (made), Caroline Mortonson (made), Izzi Wirtz (blocked), Kate Fulscher (blocked), Rielly Chesna (missed), Izzy Lee (made)
leads Lyons past Naperville North
Illini recruit dazzles in no. 3 Lyons’ win over no. 2 Naperville North
By Patrick Z. McGavin
NORTHFIELD -- Izzy Lee reclaimed history.
She put her finishing touches in punctuating a performance for the ages.
In the latest game of the year, Lee touched all sides and changed the outcome of a major showdown with her skill, poise, toughness and athleticism.
The Illinois recruit showed why she is the state’s top keeper.
Lee massed nine saves and made crucial blocks during the penalties phase as then no. 3 and new no. 1 Lyons defeated then no. 2 Naperville North in the semifinals of the 4th Annual Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic on Saturday at New Trier.
She saved her best for last.
After the first round of kicks ended at 2-2, Lee was credited with her first career goal as she blasted home her attempt into the lower left corner.
Lyons won the penalty kicks 3-2 in six rounds after regulation ended 1-1 and two overtimes produced no scoring.
Lyons (8-0-0) advanced to the title game against then no. 14 Loyola, who defeated no. 8 Stevenson 1-0.
Lyons defeated Loyola 1-0 Wednesday in a game that decided the Group C winner.
Because weather forced the semifinal round from Thursday to Saturday, the time and date for the all-Group C title game is to be determined.
Loyola is on break through Wednesday, and both programs are set to begin group play Thursday in the Naperville Invitational.
Lee’s kick followed her denial of the Huskies’ Peyton Hegner during the sudden death phase of the shootout.
“I did not have a strategy when I went up there,” Lee said. “This was the first time I ever shot a penalty in a game situation.
“I just knew I wanted to be part of the next group after our first five shooters.”
Lee blocked two North shooters and influenced two errant attempts.
Her counterpart, Abby Haskell, was equally brilliant.
Haskell stopped two shots and saw a third attempt hit off the bar.
“I have always loved penalties,” Haskell said. “It stings to lose. I have always enjoyed it, because everything is always in favor of the striker.
“When a keeper makes a save, it feels that much better.”
Josie Pochocki and Caroline Mortonson converted for Lyons.
Twin sisters Taylor and Madison Korosec made their shots for Naperville North.
Naperville North (9-1-1) is in the midst of a hellacious and remarkable nine-day schedule that included games against no. 13 Evanston, top-ranked Libertyville and the Lions.
On Monday, the Huskies play their rival, Naperville Central, which will move up two spots to no. 2 in the Top 25.
“This past week has been very exciting playing all of these top-level teams,” Haskell said. “Libertyville was a very tight game (a 0-0 tie), and we played really well.
“We played really well against Evanston (a 4-0 win), and now we are looking forward to Central on Monday.”
Naperville North had the advantage in play and quality of possession in the first half.
The pressure yielded a penalty kick in the 20th minute after Maggie Fitzgerald was fouled in the box.
Cameron Dinkla drilled the low liner past Lee to the right corner.
That was the first goal conceded by the Lions since giving up two goals against Young the first game of the season.
Lee entered the showdown with six-consecutive shutouts.
She made two spectacular stops of Taylor Korosec and Olivia Anderson in the first half.
“They were definitely coming at us hard,” Lee said. “Our defense has been doing a great job of holding the line and minimizing the chances.”
Lee kept the Lions close, allowing time and opportunity for their offense to get untracked.
“She made some big-time saves in that first half to keep us in the game,” Lyons coach Bill Lanspeary said.
“I felt great that our defense limited them, as good as they are. Not that they didn’t have anything, but we did a good job of limiting the set pieces.”
Naperville North's precision attack, speed on the wings and extraordinary actions on restarts have powered their attack.
The Huskies have been exceptional defensively, permitting just two goals through the first 10 games, with eight shutouts.
The center backs, Lucy Iverson and Norah Barry, are the central force. Their names also echo with the greatest era of Naperville North boys soccer.
Their brothers were centerpiece talents on the Huskies’ run of three-consecutive Class 3A state championships from 2016 through 2018.
Jack Barry had a goal and assist in the 3-1 championship over Barrington in 2016.
Colin Iverson scored the game-winning goals in consecutive 1-0 victories over Libertyville in 2017 and 2018.
Myles Barry started in the back for the 2018 team.
Colin Iverson was the Chicagoland Soccer Player of the Year in 2018.
“It’s really fun to fill his shoes and come into the program,” Lucy Iverson said.
“The coaches loved coaching them, and now it’s fun that they get to coach the same kind of player, just a different gender.”
Lucy Iverson’s extraordinary ability on throw-ins and set pieces is highly reminiscent of her brother.
Norah Barry’s touch on the throw-in conjures that of her brothers.
“Our brothers were here watching today,” Norah Barry said. “I would say both Lucy and I look up to our brothers and have them as role models.
“It gives you another reason to work hard, especially watching them win a couple of state championships and seeing how cool that experience was for them.”
“It’s really nice to have that role model you can ask questions, especially with plays in the air,” Lucy Iverson said.
“I remember Norah and I, when we were in 7th or 6th grade, and we were watching the games together and just looking up to them. We both wanted that same thing, and here we are.”
Lucy Iverson and Norah Barry also ran on the Huskies’ national powerhouse cross country program coached by Lucy’s father, Dan Iverson.
Both goals were scored on the south end, taking advantage of the wind.
Down a goal leading into the second half, Lee energized the team.
With leading scorer Eleanor Musgrove on a college visit to Air Force, where she is committed to play next year, Lyons had other players step up in her absence.
“Our midfield had to work really hard to stay with them, and they did a good job,” Lanspeary said.
“We came out in the second half with a little more fire and a little more urgency, and we kind of had them on their heels a bit.”
Lyons equalized in the 50th minute. Mortonson, an astonishingly poised freshman, continued to impress with her ballhandling and playmaking.
She got the ball on the left wing and played a terrific cross that forward Riley Wengerd made a great finishing run and blasted home a ball inside the near post.
“I was almost nervous, and shocked at how the ball came right to me,” Wengerd said.
“I just tried to place it.”
Everything changed and the momentum shifted to the Lions, though North had some compelling chances, especially in their set pieces.
Lee held firm and more than earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor.
She also reclaimed some honor for the Lions.
In the 2019 Class 3A state semifinals, Naperville North outlasted Lyons on penalty kicks.
Now a possible back-to-back collision in the Naperville Invitational would allow her to further strut her stuff.
Lyons once again proved last year’s near-perfect season and run to the state title game was no fluke.
“This was definitely a tough game,” Lee said. “It was definitely different from last year of playing these high-level teams early in the season.
“It feels good knowing where we stack up. It’s really good to get ready for what the playoffs are going to be like, and see what we do, and what we can change to do better.”
Starting lineups
Lyons
GK: Izzy Lee
D: Caroline McKenna
D: Kate Fulscher
D: Brennan Israel
D: Izzi Wirtz
MF: Rielly Chesna
MF: Ava Pike
MF: Josie Pochocki
F: Riley Wengerd
F: Katie O’Malley
F: Caroline Mortonson
Naperville North
GK: Abby Haskell
D: Maggie Fitzgerald
D: Lucy Iverson
D: Norah Barry
D: Peyton Hegner
MF: Cameron Dinkla
MF: Madison Korosec
MF: Ellie Gerner
F: Olivia Anderson
F: Taylor Korosec
F: Rachael Noren
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Izzy Lee, sr., GK, Lyons
Scoring summary
First half
Naperville North—Cameron Dinkla (penalty kick), 20th minute
Second half
Lyons—Riley Wengerd (Caroline Mortonson), 50th minute
First overtime
No scoring
Second overtime
No scoring
Penalty kicks
Naperville North: Taylor Korosec (made), Ellie Gerner (missed), Madison Korosec (made), Maggie Fitzgerald (missed), Cameron Dinkla (blocked), Peyton Hegner (blocked)
Lyons: Josie Pochocki (made), Caroline Mortonson (made), Izzi Wirtz (blocked), Kate Fulscher (blocked), Rielly Chesna (missed), Izzy Lee (made)