Team preview: Lake Park
By Ken Keenan
Lake Park is eager to show it has the pieces in place to bounce back in a big way after enduring a rough ride a year ago.
The Lancers (4-17-2, 1-6-0 in DuKane Conference play in 2019) return a bundle of experienced veterans, and at the same time welcome an infusion of talent in the form of six club-level freshmen.
"This is my fourth year as (Lake Park) coach, and I can't be more impressed," said Lancers skipper Sean Crosby. "This is a group, collectively, that is probably the most talented depth-wise that we've had. All these players belong on the field. Every one of them can impact a game -- all areas of the field."
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, Crosby & Co. are currently playing the waiting game, along with every other squad in the state.
"I feel terrible we're not on the field," Crosby said. "We're upset. We'd much rather be on the field than at home."
Seasoned senior defender Olivia Wroblewski, one of several top returnees, feels much the same as her coach.
"This is the season I'm most excited about all four years," she said. "It was very sad when it got postponed. In summer league, we all got together and we were working well as a team. We could tell, there was a lot of potential. We were growing and getting better."
Wroblewski continued: "With these incoming freshmen, they're pretty good, to say the least. They have a lot of talent, and we can learn from them as well. We're very excited to see what the season was going to bring us."
The flock of freshmen include: forward Peyton Olinski, defender Peyton Sarubbi, midfielders Jacqueline Alongi and Janice Hernandez-Bustos, and defender/mids Gianna Kubica and Lauren Malone.
"They're on varsity for a reason," Crosby said. "They've come from great clubs, and they're very mature in their ability on the field -- a great soccer knowledge and great technical ability and fitness. Between the six of them, they can cover every area of the field. They're all very eager to be at the top level, and they're showing they belong at the top level."
In addition to Wroblewski, the newcomers will be mentored by fellow returning starters Sarah Novak, also a senior defender; senior twin sisters Sophie and Lilli Giron, respectively a defender and forward; senior goalkeeper Lilija Briedis; junior defender/mid Emma Thorne (all-conference first team in 2019); and junior forward/middie AnnMarie Ahrens (all-conference honorable mention last season).
"Olivia (Wroblewski) is a very strong and smart center back," Crosby said. "She can cover ground with her speed, plus she has a fighting instinct. She'll make it tough for opposing forwards. She never quits on a play. She's a lot better ballhandler, too. She can create and distribute as well as being a solid defensive force.
"As an outside back, (Novak's) strength is being able to move forward -- an attack-minded defender. She can get in the mix as a box-to-box defender. She has a nose for the goal, so she can get in the box for set pieces as well. As a true defender, she's good at backing up and supporting her center defenders. She really covers a lot of ground ... finds a way to get in good position."
Crosby continued: "Sophie (Giron) is one of our most versatile defenders. She's a very strong ballhandler -- great vision, very composed -- and can control the ball under pressure. She's defensive-minded first, but she can find teammates. Her distribution helps generate attacks from a defensive position on the field.
"Traditionally, Lilli (Giron) is a center forward, but also a winger. Speed and physicality are her strengths. She's good at receiving and turning to get attacks started, and can create shots or free up a teammate with her movement. She also has that desire to win every play."
Briedis was thrust into the top keeper spot last season, after veteran senior starter Sarah Yochem was lost to injury. In her debut, Briedis allowed no goals during a scoreless match against St. Laurence, which the Lancers eventually won via a 4-2 count on penalty kicks.
"A great way to be introduced to varsity," said Crosby, noting that Briedis was the starter in three of the team's four wins last year. "This year, we've already seen more growth. Her confidence has grown tremendously, and with offseason training, she committed herself to being the best goalkeeper she can. She's also a voice in the back -- a great teammate and communicator."
Concerning Thorne and Ahrens, each a varsity player beginning as freshmen, Crosby said, "They're extremely impactful players ... both very versatile. Emma (Thorne) is very strong. She's great as a defender and at center mid ... always moving, very competitive and smart-minded.
"(Ahrens) is one of our top attacking forwards, and also very much an engine in the midfield. She can run all game long and not get tired -- incredible endurance, a non-stop worker. She can beat opponents with speed and a tremendous foot -- a laser shot. Her distribution has improved as well."
Thorne returns to the pitch after helping the Lancers' girls basketball team finish fourth in the recently completed IHSA Class 4A basketball tournament.
"She has a lot of character and leadership skills," Crosby said. "She always brings her teammates up."
Other key returnees include junior midfielders Patty Lachowiez, Cecilia Defino and Katie Schwegler, and a pair of sophomores: forward Ana Odisho and defender Isabella Witt.
"They all have experience, most of them as starters," Crosby said. "We'll definitely lean on them. They've all grown so quickly. We're really excited to see them make a jump forward."
Wroblewski simply wishes the Lancers could jump into action, sooner rather than later.
"If we get to play, I think we can be a really good team," she said. "If we work hard and stay positive, trust each other on the field, we can reach our goal of winning more games."
Meanwhile, Crosby said his "tight-knit group" will do whatever it can to keep the fire stoked with the season on hold.
"They're eager to play, but health and safety come first," he said. "We all have to take it day by day, stay positive and keep a level head. Still stay fit and stay positive, stay in touch with each other, and hope we can get back to the field as soon as we can."
Click here to see Lancers team page!
By Ken Keenan
Lake Park is eager to show it has the pieces in place to bounce back in a big way after enduring a rough ride a year ago.
The Lancers (4-17-2, 1-6-0 in DuKane Conference play in 2019) return a bundle of experienced veterans, and at the same time welcome an infusion of talent in the form of six club-level freshmen.
"This is my fourth year as (Lake Park) coach, and I can't be more impressed," said Lancers skipper Sean Crosby. "This is a group, collectively, that is probably the most talented depth-wise that we've had. All these players belong on the field. Every one of them can impact a game -- all areas of the field."
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, Crosby & Co. are currently playing the waiting game, along with every other squad in the state.
"I feel terrible we're not on the field," Crosby said. "We're upset. We'd much rather be on the field than at home."
Seasoned senior defender Olivia Wroblewski, one of several top returnees, feels much the same as her coach.
"This is the season I'm most excited about all four years," she said. "It was very sad when it got postponed. In summer league, we all got together and we were working well as a team. We could tell, there was a lot of potential. We were growing and getting better."
Wroblewski continued: "With these incoming freshmen, they're pretty good, to say the least. They have a lot of talent, and we can learn from them as well. We're very excited to see what the season was going to bring us."
The flock of freshmen include: forward Peyton Olinski, defender Peyton Sarubbi, midfielders Jacqueline Alongi and Janice Hernandez-Bustos, and defender/mids Gianna Kubica and Lauren Malone.
"They're on varsity for a reason," Crosby said. "They've come from great clubs, and they're very mature in their ability on the field -- a great soccer knowledge and great technical ability and fitness. Between the six of them, they can cover every area of the field. They're all very eager to be at the top level, and they're showing they belong at the top level."
In addition to Wroblewski, the newcomers will be mentored by fellow returning starters Sarah Novak, also a senior defender; senior twin sisters Sophie and Lilli Giron, respectively a defender and forward; senior goalkeeper Lilija Briedis; junior defender/mid Emma Thorne (all-conference first team in 2019); and junior forward/middie AnnMarie Ahrens (all-conference honorable mention last season).
"Olivia (Wroblewski) is a very strong and smart center back," Crosby said. "She can cover ground with her speed, plus she has a fighting instinct. She'll make it tough for opposing forwards. She never quits on a play. She's a lot better ballhandler, too. She can create and distribute as well as being a solid defensive force.
"As an outside back, (Novak's) strength is being able to move forward -- an attack-minded defender. She can get in the mix as a box-to-box defender. She has a nose for the goal, so she can get in the box for set pieces as well. As a true defender, she's good at backing up and supporting her center defenders. She really covers a lot of ground ... finds a way to get in good position."
Crosby continued: "Sophie (Giron) is one of our most versatile defenders. She's a very strong ballhandler -- great vision, very composed -- and can control the ball under pressure. She's defensive-minded first, but she can find teammates. Her distribution helps generate attacks from a defensive position on the field.
"Traditionally, Lilli (Giron) is a center forward, but also a winger. Speed and physicality are her strengths. She's good at receiving and turning to get attacks started, and can create shots or free up a teammate with her movement. She also has that desire to win every play."
Briedis was thrust into the top keeper spot last season, after veteran senior starter Sarah Yochem was lost to injury. In her debut, Briedis allowed no goals during a scoreless match against St. Laurence, which the Lancers eventually won via a 4-2 count on penalty kicks.
"A great way to be introduced to varsity," said Crosby, noting that Briedis was the starter in three of the team's four wins last year. "This year, we've already seen more growth. Her confidence has grown tremendously, and with offseason training, she committed herself to being the best goalkeeper she can. She's also a voice in the back -- a great teammate and communicator."
Concerning Thorne and Ahrens, each a varsity player beginning as freshmen, Crosby said, "They're extremely impactful players ... both very versatile. Emma (Thorne) is very strong. She's great as a defender and at center mid ... always moving, very competitive and smart-minded.
"(Ahrens) is one of our top attacking forwards, and also very much an engine in the midfield. She can run all game long and not get tired -- incredible endurance, a non-stop worker. She can beat opponents with speed and a tremendous foot -- a laser shot. Her distribution has improved as well."
Thorne returns to the pitch after helping the Lancers' girls basketball team finish fourth in the recently completed IHSA Class 4A basketball tournament.
"She has a lot of character and leadership skills," Crosby said. "She always brings her teammates up."
Other key returnees include junior midfielders Patty Lachowiez, Cecilia Defino and Katie Schwegler, and a pair of sophomores: forward Ana Odisho and defender Isabella Witt.
"They all have experience, most of them as starters," Crosby said. "We'll definitely lean on them. They've all grown so quickly. We're really excited to see them make a jump forward."
Wroblewski simply wishes the Lancers could jump into action, sooner rather than later.
"If we get to play, I think we can be a really good team," she said. "If we work hard and stay positive, trust each other on the field, we can reach our goal of winning more games."
Meanwhile, Crosby said his "tight-knit group" will do whatever it can to keep the fire stoked with the season on hold.
"They're eager to play, but health and safety come first," he said. "We all have to take it day by day, stay positive and keep a level head. Still stay fit and stay positive, stay in touch with each other, and hope we can get back to the field as soon as we can."
Click here to see Lancers team page!