Bonus Lyons-Hinsdale Central match promises to ratchet up intensity
9-match scoreless, win streaks on line for league-leading Lyons
By Curt Herron
When Lyons opened its season on April 23 with a 1-0 West Suburban Conference Silver Division road victory over longtime rival Hinsdale Central, few could have anticipated the streak that the Lions had just begun.
When the two teams meet again Tuesday at 6 p.m. on Bennett Field at Lyons' south campus in Western Springs, the Lions will attempt to win their 10th-straight match.
While that is obviously a very impressive feat, the way that they've gone about assembling that streak is truly special -- each victory has been a shutout.
Thanks to an amazing 37-0 advantage in goals, coach Bill Lanspeary's squad is also off to an 8-0 start in the WSC Silver and has had only two other matches that weren't won by large margins, two 1-0 wins over Glenbard West.
"We've really come together nicely over the last few weeks," Lanspeary said. "We seem to be clicking pretty well on both ends of the field, and we seem to have great chemistry. All the players really enjoy playing and competing together.
"It's a unique opportunity to play Hinsdale Central twice in a season. The first game was a hard-fought battle, and we know we'll get their best effort. We'll have to be on top of our game if we'd like to get the win. I think this group is pretty well focused and know that the next game is always our biggest game.”
In the opening match between the teams in Hinsdale, which the Red Devils entered with a 2-0-0 record, Jordan Lee-Caracci scored following an assist from Avery Livingston in the 25th minute and keeper Izzy Lee and her defense kept the hosts at bay to begin their incredible runs of shutouts.
Top scorers for the Lions include Eleanor Musgrove, Keira Sullivan, Katie O'Malley, Ava Dallavo, Elli Kosanovich and Lee-Caracci. The backline has primarily featured Kate Fulscher, Maddie McPartlin, Ava Pike and Kosanovich while Lee has been the primary keeper.
"Shutouts have been great and something the entire team takes great pride in," Lanspeary said. "While it’s a lot of fun, we realize winning and playing well is the most important."
The Lions, who moved into the 10th slot in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, have four matches left following Tuesday. They hope to continue their winning ways with home matches against Downers Grove North and York while playing road matches at Proviso West and Oak Park and River Forest to conclude regular season play.
While the programs have been accustomed to playing just one conference match a year, being able to meet twice in WSC Silver play is understandably exciting for both sides.
"This game, LT vs HC, is historic and always competitive," Red Devils coach Tony Madonia said. "Lyons is unscored upon, well-coached and has bagged many goals this season, so it will be a challenging opponent, no doubt.
“Our girls are beginning to embrace and look forward to these challenges, which is what makes this so much fun for the girls, the spectators, and the coaches too. I'm looking forward to seeing how our girls perform."
The Red Devils (6-3-0, 4-3-0) have recorded four shutouts. Each of their three defeates have been by one goal. They're currently in a battle with Downers Grove North and Glenbard West for second place in the division standings. They host York, Proviso West and Glenbard West before closing regular season play at Downers Grove North.
The Red Devils' team leaders include captain Emma Elliott (3 goals, 5 assists), Fallon Limberg (10 goals, 2 assists), captain Francesca Schiavitti (5 goals, 4 assists) and goalkeepers Rania Arain (2 shutouts) and captain Grace Clopton (2 shutouts).
"Some competitive matches this year have given us some serious and much needed, varsity playing experience," Madonia said. "Every player, from our freshmen to our seniors, have gotten better and stepped up this season more than coach (Maura) Langevin and I could have hoped for. Our team believes in each other, and they work so hard for each other regardless of the uncontrollables.
"Needless to say, Hinsdale Central has represented the program, school and community extremely well, both on and off the field so far this year. We have had opportunities to win each and every game that we have played, and the girls are turning a corner at a good time in the season."
Eleven of the 14 WSC teams are entered in the IHSA Class 3A Morton Sectional, so there could be some third-time Silver Division matches in the postseason. The only other teams in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 rankings who will be competing in the sectional are no. 2 Benet and no. 21 Young.
9-match scoreless, win streaks on line for league-leading Lyons
By Curt Herron
When Lyons opened its season on April 23 with a 1-0 West Suburban Conference Silver Division road victory over longtime rival Hinsdale Central, few could have anticipated the streak that the Lions had just begun.
When the two teams meet again Tuesday at 6 p.m. on Bennett Field at Lyons' south campus in Western Springs, the Lions will attempt to win their 10th-straight match.
While that is obviously a very impressive feat, the way that they've gone about assembling that streak is truly special -- each victory has been a shutout.
Thanks to an amazing 37-0 advantage in goals, coach Bill Lanspeary's squad is also off to an 8-0 start in the WSC Silver and has had only two other matches that weren't won by large margins, two 1-0 wins over Glenbard West.
"We've really come together nicely over the last few weeks," Lanspeary said. "We seem to be clicking pretty well on both ends of the field, and we seem to have great chemistry. All the players really enjoy playing and competing together.
"It's a unique opportunity to play Hinsdale Central twice in a season. The first game was a hard-fought battle, and we know we'll get their best effort. We'll have to be on top of our game if we'd like to get the win. I think this group is pretty well focused and know that the next game is always our biggest game.”
In the opening match between the teams in Hinsdale, which the Red Devils entered with a 2-0-0 record, Jordan Lee-Caracci scored following an assist from Avery Livingston in the 25th minute and keeper Izzy Lee and her defense kept the hosts at bay to begin their incredible runs of shutouts.
Top scorers for the Lions include Eleanor Musgrove, Keira Sullivan, Katie O'Malley, Ava Dallavo, Elli Kosanovich and Lee-Caracci. The backline has primarily featured Kate Fulscher, Maddie McPartlin, Ava Pike and Kosanovich while Lee has been the primary keeper.
"Shutouts have been great and something the entire team takes great pride in," Lanspeary said. "While it’s a lot of fun, we realize winning and playing well is the most important."
The Lions, who moved into the 10th slot in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, have four matches left following Tuesday. They hope to continue their winning ways with home matches against Downers Grove North and York while playing road matches at Proviso West and Oak Park and River Forest to conclude regular season play.
While the programs have been accustomed to playing just one conference match a year, being able to meet twice in WSC Silver play is understandably exciting for both sides.
"This game, LT vs HC, is historic and always competitive," Red Devils coach Tony Madonia said. "Lyons is unscored upon, well-coached and has bagged many goals this season, so it will be a challenging opponent, no doubt.
“Our girls are beginning to embrace and look forward to these challenges, which is what makes this so much fun for the girls, the spectators, and the coaches too. I'm looking forward to seeing how our girls perform."
The Red Devils (6-3-0, 4-3-0) have recorded four shutouts. Each of their three defeates have been by one goal. They're currently in a battle with Downers Grove North and Glenbard West for second place in the division standings. They host York, Proviso West and Glenbard West before closing regular season play at Downers Grove North.
The Red Devils' team leaders include captain Emma Elliott (3 goals, 5 assists), Fallon Limberg (10 goals, 2 assists), captain Francesca Schiavitti (5 goals, 4 assists) and goalkeepers Rania Arain (2 shutouts) and captain Grace Clopton (2 shutouts).
"Some competitive matches this year have given us some serious and much needed, varsity playing experience," Madonia said. "Every player, from our freshmen to our seniors, have gotten better and stepped up this season more than coach (Maura) Langevin and I could have hoped for. Our team believes in each other, and they work so hard for each other regardless of the uncontrollables.
"Needless to say, Hinsdale Central has represented the program, school and community extremely well, both on and off the field so far this year. We have had opportunities to win each and every game that we have played, and the girls are turning a corner at a good time in the season."
Eleven of the 14 WSC teams are entered in the IHSA Class 3A Morton Sectional, so there could be some third-time Silver Division matches in the postseason. The only other teams in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 rankings who will be competing in the sectional are no. 2 Benet and no. 21 Young.