Notebook: Lincoln-Way West
By Steve Millar
The bar has been raised for Lincoln-Way West by Lincoln-Way West.
The Warriors’ run to the Class 3A Sandburg Sectional title last season, the program’s first sectional championship, set a new standard.
Thus, West enters this postseason fully intent on sticking around for a while.
“We’re all on the same page,” senior defender Meghan Schick said. “We want to do big things. We want to be as successful as we were last year or top it. We’ve been there now, and we know what it takes.”
The Warriors (9-7-1) are seeded fifth in the Reavis Sectional and will host 12th-seeded Shepard in a regional semifinal at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Lincoln-Way West coach Jeff Theiss likes the spot his team is in.
“I like being in that four-five (-seed) range,” he said. “It allows you to fly under the radar a little bit. Last year, we were the four seed and won it.”
If the Warriors are able to get by Shepard, a regional final matchup with either fourth-seeded Homewood-Flossmoor or 13th-seeded T.F. United awaits.
H-F nipped Lincoln-Way West 2-1 on April 17. The game was part of the “Cure 4 Cancer Night” doubleheader featuring all three Lincoln-Way schools at Lincoln-Way East.
“We’d definitely like another shot at H-F,” Theiss said. “They beat us at a special event where we had a big crowd, so that one stung. They’re a really good team, but we know we’re capable of getting a win”
Looking at the Reavis Sectional as a whole, parity abounds.
The Warriors dropped one-goal decisions to top-seeded Stagg and second-seeded Andrew and split a pair of regular season matches with third-seeded Lincoln-Way Central.
“There are probably seven or eight teams that could win the sectional,” Theiss said. “It’s up for grabs.”
Piecing together the puzzle
Theiss tweaked his lineup several times throughout the season, but believes he’s found the right combinations now.
“We move players regardless, whether there’s success or not,” he said. “You know girls are going to get banged up. We want to get girls more aware of the system and get them more comfortable playing in different spots. I think right now we’re all settled in with the girls in the spots they’re in.
“Sarah Wintercorn’s been a tank up-top. We’ve been confident with what we’ve had in the middle all year, and our defense has been very strong of late.”
A key move has been the full-time promotion of sophomore Grace Pearse to starting goalkeeper midway through the season after her part-time gig earlier.
The Warriors closed the regular season with three consecutive shutouts.
"Grace has been doing an outstanding job," Theiss said. "Our defenders are playing well in front of her, and she steps up and makes a big save when she needs to."
Sara’s a star
Junior midfielder Sara Loichinger leads the Warriors with 10 goals, but her value extends beyond her finishing ability.
Loichinger is a versatile player who can drop back and aid the defense when needed and is terrific at helping the Warriors transition into their attack.
“’Loich’ does such a great job holding the ball for us,” Theiss said. “She’s everywhere.”
By Steve Millar
The bar has been raised for Lincoln-Way West by Lincoln-Way West.
The Warriors’ run to the Class 3A Sandburg Sectional title last season, the program’s first sectional championship, set a new standard.
Thus, West enters this postseason fully intent on sticking around for a while.
“We’re all on the same page,” senior defender Meghan Schick said. “We want to do big things. We want to be as successful as we were last year or top it. We’ve been there now, and we know what it takes.”
The Warriors (9-7-1) are seeded fifth in the Reavis Sectional and will host 12th-seeded Shepard in a regional semifinal at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Lincoln-Way West coach Jeff Theiss likes the spot his team is in.
“I like being in that four-five (-seed) range,” he said. “It allows you to fly under the radar a little bit. Last year, we were the four seed and won it.”
If the Warriors are able to get by Shepard, a regional final matchup with either fourth-seeded Homewood-Flossmoor or 13th-seeded T.F. United awaits.
H-F nipped Lincoln-Way West 2-1 on April 17. The game was part of the “Cure 4 Cancer Night” doubleheader featuring all three Lincoln-Way schools at Lincoln-Way East.
“We’d definitely like another shot at H-F,” Theiss said. “They beat us at a special event where we had a big crowd, so that one stung. They’re a really good team, but we know we’re capable of getting a win”
Looking at the Reavis Sectional as a whole, parity abounds.
The Warriors dropped one-goal decisions to top-seeded Stagg and second-seeded Andrew and split a pair of regular season matches with third-seeded Lincoln-Way Central.
“There are probably seven or eight teams that could win the sectional,” Theiss said. “It’s up for grabs.”
Piecing together the puzzle
Theiss tweaked his lineup several times throughout the season, but believes he’s found the right combinations now.
“We move players regardless, whether there’s success or not,” he said. “You know girls are going to get banged up. We want to get girls more aware of the system and get them more comfortable playing in different spots. I think right now we’re all settled in with the girls in the spots they’re in.
“Sarah Wintercorn’s been a tank up-top. We’ve been confident with what we’ve had in the middle all year, and our defense has been very strong of late.”
A key move has been the full-time promotion of sophomore Grace Pearse to starting goalkeeper midway through the season after her part-time gig earlier.
The Warriors closed the regular season with three consecutive shutouts.
"Grace has been doing an outstanding job," Theiss said. "Our defenders are playing well in front of her, and she steps up and makes a big save when she needs to."
Sara’s a star
Junior midfielder Sara Loichinger leads the Warriors with 10 goals, but her value extends beyond her finishing ability.
Loichinger is a versatile player who can drop back and aid the defense when needed and is terrific at helping the Warriors transition into their attack.
“’Loich’ does such a great job holding the ball for us,” Theiss said. “She’s everywhere.”