Strong finish propels memorable
season for Lincoln-Way West
By Dave Owen
Emerging from a 7-6-0 midseason record to finish 17-8-1 tells only a small part about Lincoln-Way West’s successful season.
It was the clearing of unexpected obstacles, like the Class 2A regional final match, that showed the heart of the 2015 Warriors.
“I feel the moment that really defined our season occurred late in the regional final against Joliet Catholic Academy, when one of our senior captains Meghann Lange
went down with a knee injury,” Warriors coach Jeff Theiss said.
“All season long we relied on Meghann whipping balls into the box, whether it was during the run of play or off sets. And often she'd find Brianna Heyer (team-high 21
goals) on the end of them.”
The loss of key midfielder Lange (seven goals and a team-high 14 assists) couldn’t have come at a worse time. But it opened the door for another hero to emerge.
“Roles quickly shifted,” Theiss said. “Five minutes after Meghann came off the field, Brianna Heyer sent a ball to the back post and Olivia Judge buried it with her
head to push us past JCA (by an eventual 2-0 score) and into the sectional.
“This was only Olivia's second career varsity goal, which couldn't have come at a more opportune time.
“This sort of resilience and ability to lift each other when we needed it most was the difference in our season,” Theiss added. “Their willingness to embrace the
challenges that this game can so often present, rather than shy away from them, is truly what led to another special season.”
The Warriors eventually reached the Class 2A sectional finals for the second year in a row, a nice feat for a school that opened in 2010.
And as the quick response to Lange’s injury proved, the Warriors often had to dig deep to accomplish their latest successful season.
“As cliche as it sounds, it was a complete team effort that led to our 10-2-1 record after the PepsiCo Showdown,” said Theiss, who was aided during the season by
assistant coaches Sean Fahey, Joe Stephens, Luke Dauparas and E.J. Kirn. “Early in the season we were consistently manipulating our lineup, which led to some early
breakdowns.
“Once we established our system, and everyone bought in, you could recognize their confidence improving every day.”
A 2-0 win April 28 over eventual Class 3A sectional finalist Lincoln-Way North was one of the high points out of many during the late season run.
“Everyone took ownership and accountability in their responsibilities, which allowed us to focus on imposing what we do well, rather than worrying about adjusting to
our opponent” Theiss said.
“This led to a stingy back line led by Emily Wyskiel, Meredith Buldak, Brittany Stover, Teagan Lyke and Audrey Pearson (0.81 goals against average and 13 shutouts) in
goal.”
That defensive corps posted eight shutouts over the Warriors’ final 13 games. Pearson’s vocal leadership and energetic diving efforts to deny goals epitomized the
efforts of the Warriors.
“Audrey does a great job communicating in the back,” Lange said. “That’s one of her biggest strong suits. She’s always talking and letting our defenders know where
they need to be.
“And then she makes amazing saves. It’s nice to trust your goalie. It gives everyone on the field a lot of confidence.”
The Warriors allowed just 10 goals in their last 13 games.
“We’ve just kept working hard,” Buldak said after a May 7 win in PKs over Lincoln-Way East. “You have to keep going at it and keep trying to play as a team. You can’t
go off and try to do your own thing, but just stay together.”
At the other end of the field, the Warriors’ offense also got things done with a variety of players who finished scoring plays.
“We experienced the most balanced attack that we've ever seen here at West,” Theiss said.
After already mentioning Judge’s clutch finish against Joliet Catholic Academy, Theiss offered a chronology of his team’s scoring stars and their moments of glory.
“Brianna Heyer and Natalie Tannura connecting for our game-winning goals against Lincoln-Way North and Lockport (2-0, May 14),” he said. “Meghann Lange breaking out to
score the game-winner late in our match against Bradley-Bourbonnais (a 2-1 win April 23).
“Then Brianna Bembenek opening the scoring against Yorkville (a 7-1 win May 20) in the regional semifinal, Brianna Darlage creating our first goal 19 seconds into the
sectional semifinal against Dunlap (4-0 victory May 26), and Madison Mikalauski scoring our lone goal off a corner against Lincoln-Way East in a penalty kick shootout
victory, it was easy to recognize that anyone could contribute at any given moment.”
Lincoln-Way West's quality efforts also included a 1-0 loss to eventual Class 3A Lincoln-Way North Sectional champion Stagg on March 26, and a 0-0 tie with Class 2A semifinalist Lemont on April 25.
Many of the team;s top moments down the stretch belonged to Tannura, who closed the year on an amazing scoring tear.
One of the Warriors’ top scorers all year with 19 goals and 11 assists, Tannura was completely unstoppable in May.
Over the last six games of her Lincoln-Way West career, Tannura had eight goals and four assists to play a role in more than half of the Warriors’ 21 goals in that
span. She also scored the game-winning goal in three of the last four Warrior victories of 2015 (with four game-winners for the year).
Wyskiel (six goals, four assists), Lange, Tannura, Buldak and Pearson were all senior starters for the Warriors.
Tannura and Wyskiel were freshmen on the 15-win team of 2012, the first regional championship squad in program history.
“As with all of our senior classes, this senior class is going to truly be missed and their absence is going to present new challenges,” Theiss said. “However, we feel
the culture and winning attitude that they have established over the past four years is going to remain within our program.
“Additionally, we're excited to see them move on to their next chapter of their lives and display the same positive values that they have demonstrated during their
time at West.”
The future of the Warriors is very bright, starting with Heyer. Her 21 goals and eight assists included a team-high five game winning goals.
Heyer and fellow junior Brianna Darlage (six goals, nine assists) have both been on varsity since the start of their freshman seasons, and Mikalauski had a strong
offensive year (nine goals, seven assists) that included a trio of game-winning goals.
Sophomores Lyke and Bembenek and junior Stover were key contributors defensively as underclassmen.
The Warriors’ junior varsity went 10-7-1 this spring, and provide part of the enthusiasm for the next wave of talent on its way.
“In terms of next season, we’re confident that with our balance of returning varsity athletes, up and coming junior varsity athletes, and a strong incoming freshman
class, we will continue the success and winning tradition that we have established over the past few years,” Theiss said.
season for Lincoln-Way West
By Dave Owen
Emerging from a 7-6-0 midseason record to finish 17-8-1 tells only a small part about Lincoln-Way West’s successful season.
It was the clearing of unexpected obstacles, like the Class 2A regional final match, that showed the heart of the 2015 Warriors.
“I feel the moment that really defined our season occurred late in the regional final against Joliet Catholic Academy, when one of our senior captains Meghann Lange
went down with a knee injury,” Warriors coach Jeff Theiss said.
“All season long we relied on Meghann whipping balls into the box, whether it was during the run of play or off sets. And often she'd find Brianna Heyer (team-high 21
goals) on the end of them.”
The loss of key midfielder Lange (seven goals and a team-high 14 assists) couldn’t have come at a worse time. But it opened the door for another hero to emerge.
“Roles quickly shifted,” Theiss said. “Five minutes after Meghann came off the field, Brianna Heyer sent a ball to the back post and Olivia Judge buried it with her
head to push us past JCA (by an eventual 2-0 score) and into the sectional.
“This was only Olivia's second career varsity goal, which couldn't have come at a more opportune time.
“This sort of resilience and ability to lift each other when we needed it most was the difference in our season,” Theiss added. “Their willingness to embrace the
challenges that this game can so often present, rather than shy away from them, is truly what led to another special season.”
The Warriors eventually reached the Class 2A sectional finals for the second year in a row, a nice feat for a school that opened in 2010.
And as the quick response to Lange’s injury proved, the Warriors often had to dig deep to accomplish their latest successful season.
“As cliche as it sounds, it was a complete team effort that led to our 10-2-1 record after the PepsiCo Showdown,” said Theiss, who was aided during the season by
assistant coaches Sean Fahey, Joe Stephens, Luke Dauparas and E.J. Kirn. “Early in the season we were consistently manipulating our lineup, which led to some early
breakdowns.
“Once we established our system, and everyone bought in, you could recognize their confidence improving every day.”
A 2-0 win April 28 over eventual Class 3A sectional finalist Lincoln-Way North was one of the high points out of many during the late season run.
“Everyone took ownership and accountability in their responsibilities, which allowed us to focus on imposing what we do well, rather than worrying about adjusting to
our opponent” Theiss said.
“This led to a stingy back line led by Emily Wyskiel, Meredith Buldak, Brittany Stover, Teagan Lyke and Audrey Pearson (0.81 goals against average and 13 shutouts) in
goal.”
That defensive corps posted eight shutouts over the Warriors’ final 13 games. Pearson’s vocal leadership and energetic diving efforts to deny goals epitomized the
efforts of the Warriors.
“Audrey does a great job communicating in the back,” Lange said. “That’s one of her biggest strong suits. She’s always talking and letting our defenders know where
they need to be.
“And then she makes amazing saves. It’s nice to trust your goalie. It gives everyone on the field a lot of confidence.”
The Warriors allowed just 10 goals in their last 13 games.
“We’ve just kept working hard,” Buldak said after a May 7 win in PKs over Lincoln-Way East. “You have to keep going at it and keep trying to play as a team. You can’t
go off and try to do your own thing, but just stay together.”
At the other end of the field, the Warriors’ offense also got things done with a variety of players who finished scoring plays.
“We experienced the most balanced attack that we've ever seen here at West,” Theiss said.
After already mentioning Judge’s clutch finish against Joliet Catholic Academy, Theiss offered a chronology of his team’s scoring stars and their moments of glory.
“Brianna Heyer and Natalie Tannura connecting for our game-winning goals against Lincoln-Way North and Lockport (2-0, May 14),” he said. “Meghann Lange breaking out to
score the game-winner late in our match against Bradley-Bourbonnais (a 2-1 win April 23).
“Then Brianna Bembenek opening the scoring against Yorkville (a 7-1 win May 20) in the regional semifinal, Brianna Darlage creating our first goal 19 seconds into the
sectional semifinal against Dunlap (4-0 victory May 26), and Madison Mikalauski scoring our lone goal off a corner against Lincoln-Way East in a penalty kick shootout
victory, it was easy to recognize that anyone could contribute at any given moment.”
Lincoln-Way West's quality efforts also included a 1-0 loss to eventual Class 3A Lincoln-Way North Sectional champion Stagg on March 26, and a 0-0 tie with Class 2A semifinalist Lemont on April 25.
Many of the team;s top moments down the stretch belonged to Tannura, who closed the year on an amazing scoring tear.
One of the Warriors’ top scorers all year with 19 goals and 11 assists, Tannura was completely unstoppable in May.
Over the last six games of her Lincoln-Way West career, Tannura had eight goals and four assists to play a role in more than half of the Warriors’ 21 goals in that
span. She also scored the game-winning goal in three of the last four Warrior victories of 2015 (with four game-winners for the year).
Wyskiel (six goals, four assists), Lange, Tannura, Buldak and Pearson were all senior starters for the Warriors.
Tannura and Wyskiel were freshmen on the 15-win team of 2012, the first regional championship squad in program history.
“As with all of our senior classes, this senior class is going to truly be missed and their absence is going to present new challenges,” Theiss said. “However, we feel
the culture and winning attitude that they have established over the past four years is going to remain within our program.
“Additionally, we're excited to see them move on to their next chapter of their lives and display the same positive values that they have demonstrated during their
time at West.”
The future of the Warriors is very bright, starting with Heyer. Her 21 goals and eight assists included a team-high five game winning goals.
Heyer and fellow junior Brianna Darlage (six goals, nine assists) have both been on varsity since the start of their freshman seasons, and Mikalauski had a strong
offensive year (nine goals, seven assists) that included a trio of game-winning goals.
Sophomores Lyke and Bembenek and junior Stover were key contributors defensively as underclassmen.
The Warriors’ junior varsity went 10-7-1 this spring, and provide part of the enthusiasm for the next wave of talent on its way.
“In terms of next season, we’re confident that with our balance of returning varsity athletes, up and coming junior varsity athletes, and a strong incoming freshman
class, we will continue the success and winning tradition that we have established over the past few years,” Theiss said.