Lyons, Hinsdale Central rivalry
continues with conference title on line
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Slightly more than four miles separate Lyons and Hinsdale Central. That proximity is a dominant factor shaping the emotion, intensity and depth of feeling when these teams meet.
Pick a sport, and chances are these two programs have a shared a deep rivalry.
"The thing about Lyons and Hinsdale Central, as far as girls soccer, is that many of these girls have grown up together and learned to play against one another," Hinsdale Central coach Michael Smith said.
On Thursday afternoon at 5 p.m. Hinsdale Central, the rivalry resumes as No. 20 Lyons does battle with the No. 10 Red Devils, with two significant prizes at play. Hinsdale Central (13-4 overall) and Lyons (9-4-3) are both 4-0 in the West Suburban Silver. The winner takes a significant stride toward capturing the conference.
The other significant storyline is the outcome of the match on sectional seedings. Hinsdale Central hosts a Class 3A sectional, and the two schools figure to make their bid for the top-seed based on what unfolds Thursday.
Smith said the familiarity of the programs and the direct connections players have with each other produces a very particular dynamic.
"Before the game starts, there are going to be some hugs, people are going to get reacquainted, but as soon as the whistle sounds, those teams are both going to compete hard against each other," he said.
Both programs have encountered high level competition in order to prepare for this moment. Lyons and Hinsdale Central have just come out of playing, simultaneously, in the season two best in-season tournaments, the PepsiCo Showdown and the Naperville Invitational.
"We experienced some bumps and bruises going through those two tournaments, but I think ultimately, it was an empowering action, because we learned about ourselves and where we have to improve," Smith said.
Last year Lyons defeated Hinsdale Central 1-0.
The teams suggest mirror images of each other: both are disciplined, organized teams noted for their strong defenses and offenses that know how to capitalize on other teams' mistakes.
The Lions' Lidia Breen, a team captain, is an elite keeper. She organizes the team's backline. Forwards Margaret Lynch and Grace Salvino are skilled and versatile playmakers who exert tremendous pressure and funnel the team's offensive attack.
"We have a lot of respect for the job Bill Lanspeary does with that program," Smith said. "They're an organized and athletic team and the big thing about Lyons is that they don't waste a lot of chances."
The Red Devils also feature an athletic backline keyed by defenders Erin Smith and Jenny Saviski. Junior Katy Coseglia is a dynamic keeper. Forwards Emma Dannhausen-Brun and Erin Otto are the offensive catalysts. Both teams also feature excellent depth, and run a lot of players in.
In other words, this is a classic clash between historic programs who always find a little extra when their teams meet. Thursday is likely to be the next chapter.
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Slightly more than four miles separate Lyons and Hinsdale Central. That proximity is a dominant factor shaping the emotion, intensity and depth of feeling when these teams meet.
Pick a sport, and chances are these two programs have a shared a deep rivalry.
"The thing about Lyons and Hinsdale Central, as far as girls soccer, is that many of these girls have grown up together and learned to play against one another," Hinsdale Central coach Michael Smith said.
On Thursday afternoon at 5 p.m. Hinsdale Central, the rivalry resumes as No. 20 Lyons does battle with the No. 10 Red Devils, with two significant prizes at play. Hinsdale Central (13-4 overall) and Lyons (9-4-3) are both 4-0 in the West Suburban Silver. The winner takes a significant stride toward capturing the conference.
The other significant storyline is the outcome of the match on sectional seedings. Hinsdale Central hosts a Class 3A sectional, and the two schools figure to make their bid for the top-seed based on what unfolds Thursday.
Smith said the familiarity of the programs and the direct connections players have with each other produces a very particular dynamic.
"Before the game starts, there are going to be some hugs, people are going to get reacquainted, but as soon as the whistle sounds, those teams are both going to compete hard against each other," he said.
Both programs have encountered high level competition in order to prepare for this moment. Lyons and Hinsdale Central have just come out of playing, simultaneously, in the season two best in-season tournaments, the PepsiCo Showdown and the Naperville Invitational.
"We experienced some bumps and bruises going through those two tournaments, but I think ultimately, it was an empowering action, because we learned about ourselves and where we have to improve," Smith said.
Last year Lyons defeated Hinsdale Central 1-0.
The teams suggest mirror images of each other: both are disciplined, organized teams noted for their strong defenses and offenses that know how to capitalize on other teams' mistakes.
The Lions' Lidia Breen, a team captain, is an elite keeper. She organizes the team's backline. Forwards Margaret Lynch and Grace Salvino are skilled and versatile playmakers who exert tremendous pressure and funnel the team's offensive attack.
"We have a lot of respect for the job Bill Lanspeary does with that program," Smith said. "They're an organized and athletic team and the big thing about Lyons is that they don't waste a lot of chances."
The Red Devils also feature an athletic backline keyed by defenders Erin Smith and Jenny Saviski. Junior Katy Coseglia is a dynamic keeper. Forwards Emma Dannhausen-Brun and Erin Otto are the offensive catalysts. Both teams also feature excellent depth, and run a lot of players in.
In other words, this is a classic clash between historic programs who always find a little extra when their teams meet. Thursday is likely to be the next chapter.
continues with conference title on line
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Slightly more than four miles separate Lyons and Hinsdale Central. That proximity is a dominant factor shaping the emotion, intensity and depth of feeling when these teams meet.
Pick a sport, and chances are these two programs have a shared a deep rivalry.
"The thing about Lyons and Hinsdale Central, as far as girls soccer, is that many of these girls have grown up together and learned to play against one another," Hinsdale Central coach Michael Smith said.
On Thursday afternoon at 5 p.m. Hinsdale Central, the rivalry resumes as No. 20 Lyons does battle with the No. 10 Red Devils, with two significant prizes at play. Hinsdale Central (13-4 overall) and Lyons (9-4-3) are both 4-0 in the West Suburban Silver. The winner takes a significant stride toward capturing the conference.
The other significant storyline is the outcome of the match on sectional seedings. Hinsdale Central hosts a Class 3A sectional, and the two schools figure to make their bid for the top-seed based on what unfolds Thursday.
Smith said the familiarity of the programs and the direct connections players have with each other produces a very particular dynamic.
"Before the game starts, there are going to be some hugs, people are going to get reacquainted, but as soon as the whistle sounds, those teams are both going to compete hard against each other," he said.
Both programs have encountered high level competition in order to prepare for this moment. Lyons and Hinsdale Central have just come out of playing, simultaneously, in the season two best in-season tournaments, the PepsiCo Showdown and the Naperville Invitational.
"We experienced some bumps and bruises going through those two tournaments, but I think ultimately, it was an empowering action, because we learned about ourselves and where we have to improve," Smith said.
Last year Lyons defeated Hinsdale Central 1-0.
The teams suggest mirror images of each other: both are disciplined, organized teams noted for their strong defenses and offenses that know how to capitalize on other teams' mistakes.
The Lions' Lidia Breen, a team captain, is an elite keeper. She organizes the team's backline. Forwards Margaret Lynch and Grace Salvino are skilled and versatile playmakers who exert tremendous pressure and funnel the team's offensive attack.
"We have a lot of respect for the job Bill Lanspeary does with that program," Smith said. "They're an organized and athletic team and the big thing about Lyons is that they don't waste a lot of chances."
The Red Devils also feature an athletic backline keyed by defenders Erin Smith and Jenny Saviski. Junior Katy Coseglia is a dynamic keeper. Forwards Emma Dannhausen-Brun and Erin Otto are the offensive catalysts. Both teams also feature excellent depth, and run a lot of players in.
In other words, this is a classic clash between historic programs who always find a little extra when their teams meet. Thursday is likely to be the next chapter.
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Slightly more than four miles separate Lyons and Hinsdale Central. That proximity is a dominant factor shaping the emotion, intensity and depth of feeling when these teams meet.
Pick a sport, and chances are these two programs have a shared a deep rivalry.
"The thing about Lyons and Hinsdale Central, as far as girls soccer, is that many of these girls have grown up together and learned to play against one another," Hinsdale Central coach Michael Smith said.
On Thursday afternoon at 5 p.m. Hinsdale Central, the rivalry resumes as No. 20 Lyons does battle with the No. 10 Red Devils, with two significant prizes at play. Hinsdale Central (13-4 overall) and Lyons (9-4-3) are both 4-0 in the West Suburban Silver. The winner takes a significant stride toward capturing the conference.
The other significant storyline is the outcome of the match on sectional seedings. Hinsdale Central hosts a Class 3A sectional, and the two schools figure to make their bid for the top-seed based on what unfolds Thursday.
Smith said the familiarity of the programs and the direct connections players have with each other produces a very particular dynamic.
"Before the game starts, there are going to be some hugs, people are going to get reacquainted, but as soon as the whistle sounds, those teams are both going to compete hard against each other," he said.
Both programs have encountered high level competition in order to prepare for this moment. Lyons and Hinsdale Central have just come out of playing, simultaneously, in the season two best in-season tournaments, the PepsiCo Showdown and the Naperville Invitational.
"We experienced some bumps and bruises going through those two tournaments, but I think ultimately, it was an empowering action, because we learned about ourselves and where we have to improve," Smith said.
Last year Lyons defeated Hinsdale Central 1-0.
The teams suggest mirror images of each other: both are disciplined, organized teams noted for their strong defenses and offenses that know how to capitalize on other teams' mistakes.
The Lions' Lidia Breen, a team captain, is an elite keeper. She organizes the team's backline. Forwards Margaret Lynch and Grace Salvino are skilled and versatile playmakers who exert tremendous pressure and funnel the team's offensive attack.
"We have a lot of respect for the job Bill Lanspeary does with that program," Smith said. "They're an organized and athletic team and the big thing about Lyons is that they don't waste a lot of chances."
The Red Devils also feature an athletic backline keyed by defenders Erin Smith and Jenny Saviski. Junior Katy Coseglia is a dynamic keeper. Forwards Emma Dannhausen-Brun and Erin Otto are the offensive catalysts. Both teams also feature excellent depth, and run a lot of players in.
In other words, this is a classic clash between historic programs who always find a little extra when their teams meet. Thursday is likely to be the next chapter.