Lyons faces WSC roadblock
in Downers Grove North
Traditional power travels to face streaking Trojans
By Dave Owen
The usual two-team race for the West Suburban Conference Silver title has a dark horse candidate.
While Lyons’ May 7 trip to Hinsdale Central remains the marquee match of the conference season, the Lions’ 4:45 p.m. Tuesday battle at Downers Grove North has quickly grown in its significance.
The Lions (7-4-2, 3-0-0 in the Silver) enter Tuesday tied with the Red Devils atop the conference.
The Trojans (9-3-0, 1-1-0) have won 8-of-their-last-9 games since a late March setback at Hinsdale Central. That run includes shutout wins in their last four matches and eight shutouts on the year.
“Just playing as a team, supporting each other and playing hard,” DGN coach Robert Calder noted as keys to his team’s rapid rise. “That’s what they’ve been doing recently, and it’s producing success.”
Midfielder Ellie Campos has been one of the senior standouts.
“We’re really coming together and playing as a team, and we’re keeping ourselves composed,” Campos said after the Trojans’ April 22 shutout win over Lincoln-Way West.
Staying cool and collected will be essential against Lyons. The Lions played well in their first two matches at the Naperville Invitational, beating Oswego 1-0 Saturday after falling 2-0 to Naperville North in the opener.
“Naperville North is one of the top teams in the state, and we competed very well with them,” Lyons coach Bill Lanspeary said. “We possessed the ball quite a bit against them, and our defense did a nice job against them and their player of the year candidate (Abbie Boswell).”
The defending sectional champion Lions have rebounded nicely from a rare three-game losing streak in early April.
The two teams' one common WSC Silver opponent produced identical overtime results: the Lions and Trojans each defeated York in penalty kicks on consecutive days last week.
Senior goalkeeper Lidia Breen has starred defensively for the Lions. Grace Salvino and sophomore Jenna Fuller are among the offensive leaders for a versatile Lyons squad.
“Sometimes our defense has kept us in games,” Lanspeary said, “sometimes our midfield had won 50-50 balls and played in transition very well, and sometimes our offense has taken over and been very dangerous. If we could put it all together at the same time, we could be a tough team to beat.”
Downers North’s impressive play in April has come despite a key injury to defender Arlinda Osmani. Seniors Metros, Lexi Cittadine, Kacey Ford and Jessica Ridderhoff have been standouts for a team that often starts five freshmen or sophomores (including freshman goalkeeper Grace Stevenson).
The Lions edged the Trojans 1-0 last season, and expect to have to execute well in several areas to win Tuesday.
“Winning 50-50 balls, playing quickly but with poise, and finishing the opportunities you do get,” Lanspeary said of keys to the match. “They are solid defensively, so any chance we get we need capitalize on.”
in Downers Grove North
Traditional power travels to face streaking Trojans
By Dave Owen
The usual two-team race for the West Suburban Conference Silver title has a dark horse candidate.
While Lyons’ May 7 trip to Hinsdale Central remains the marquee match of the conference season, the Lions’ 4:45 p.m. Tuesday battle at Downers Grove North has quickly grown in its significance.
The Lions (7-4-2, 3-0-0 in the Silver) enter Tuesday tied with the Red Devils atop the conference.
The Trojans (9-3-0, 1-1-0) have won 8-of-their-last-9 games since a late March setback at Hinsdale Central. That run includes shutout wins in their last four matches and eight shutouts on the year.
“Just playing as a team, supporting each other and playing hard,” DGN coach Robert Calder noted as keys to his team’s rapid rise. “That’s what they’ve been doing recently, and it’s producing success.”
Midfielder Ellie Campos has been one of the senior standouts.
“We’re really coming together and playing as a team, and we’re keeping ourselves composed,” Campos said after the Trojans’ April 22 shutout win over Lincoln-Way West.
Staying cool and collected will be essential against Lyons. The Lions played well in their first two matches at the Naperville Invitational, beating Oswego 1-0 Saturday after falling 2-0 to Naperville North in the opener.
“Naperville North is one of the top teams in the state, and we competed very well with them,” Lyons coach Bill Lanspeary said. “We possessed the ball quite a bit against them, and our defense did a nice job against them and their player of the year candidate (Abbie Boswell).”
The defending sectional champion Lions have rebounded nicely from a rare three-game losing streak in early April.
The two teams' one common WSC Silver opponent produced identical overtime results: the Lions and Trojans each defeated York in penalty kicks on consecutive days last week.
Senior goalkeeper Lidia Breen has starred defensively for the Lions. Grace Salvino and sophomore Jenna Fuller are among the offensive leaders for a versatile Lyons squad.
“Sometimes our defense has kept us in games,” Lanspeary said, “sometimes our midfield had won 50-50 balls and played in transition very well, and sometimes our offense has taken over and been very dangerous. If we could put it all together at the same time, we could be a tough team to beat.”
Downers North’s impressive play in April has come despite a key injury to defender Arlinda Osmani. Seniors Metros, Lexi Cittadine, Kacey Ford and Jessica Ridderhoff have been standouts for a team that often starts five freshmen or sophomores (including freshman goalkeeper Grace Stevenson).
The Lions edged the Trojans 1-0 last season, and expect to have to execute well in several areas to win Tuesday.
“Winning 50-50 balls, playing quickly but with poise, and finishing the opportunities you do get,” Lanspeary said of keys to the match. “They are solid defensively, so any chance we get we need capitalize on.”