Team preview: Lyons
By Dave Owen
Can the Lions roar to an encore?
After placing fourth in Class 3A last year, the program’s best finish since also taking fourth in 2006, Lyons faces a dual challenge in their bid to build on that success.
The graduation of star midfielder Eileen Murphy (22 goals en route to all-state honors) and a strong senior class presents one clear obstacle.
“Every year we graduate our seniors and wonder how are we going to replace those players,” Lyons coach Bill Lanspeary said. “It's not just Eileen, who was obviously a special player (who played in 15 games as a freshman at Illinois last fall), it's all the seniors.
“We've seen that our younger players have trained with them a bit, learned from them and are excited for their opportunity. To me, it's never about just one player but getting an entire team to step up, take on bigger roles, and become the best team we can be each year.”
With 20 regional titles in the last 23 years, the Lions have a history of doing just that.
But a less typical second challenge has emerged: the Coronavirus’ delay in the start to the season, with the opening date of play currently in doubt.
“It’s obviously disappointing to have all of these changes to the start of our season,” Lyons senior defender Peri Kracker said of the suspension of practices and March games, “but I’m very confident that our team is going to come out even stronger once we can get back to playing.
“We’re all working hard to stay in shape and get touches on our own, and we still communicate with each other daily in order to keep the team spirit and morale high. In some ways, I feel like we haven’t even skipped a beat.”
Kracker, senior Nora Blake and junior Elli Kosonovich are top returners from a defender corps that helped produce 13 shutouts last season.
Goalkeeper Sophie Grabis notched a 0.45 goals against average in 11 games before a late-season injury, and Eden Suda enters the mix in the nets after missing 2019 with a shoulder injury.
“I think we'll be pretty solid in the back with a lot of returning players,” Lanspeary said. “We need to figure out our midfield and our forwards to capitalize on our opportunities.”
Two proven finishers provide a good foundation at forward.
Ava Dallavo was the squad’s second leading scorer behind Murphy last spring with eight goals and eight assists, and Olivia Wirtz (five goals, three assists in 2019) had the goal in Lyons’ 2-1 state semifinal loss to eventual 3A champion Naperville North.
Tess Grzegorek (three goals, two assists in 2019) and Colleen Kulinski (one goal) also return at forward.
Lily Mattern figures to anchor the midfield, moving there after playing defender last season.
Mattern, Dallavo, Wirtz and Grabis were all on the Chicagoland Soccer All-State Watch List.
Beyond its nucleus of returning players, the Lions have plenty of strong newcomers set to make an impact.
Maddie McPartlin, Emma Wheling and Kate Fulscher join the already formidable backline.
Reese Koemsthoeft, Avery Livingston, Eleanor Musgrove and Sophie Kochanek will fill midfield spots left vacant by 2019 graduations. Jordan Lee-Caracci and Isabel Kochanek join the mix at forward.
“I definitely expect the returning players to lead the way, but the newcomers will make a big impact,” Lanspeary said. “Maddie McPartlin will likely start at center back.
“We'll need some of the new midfielders to really step up, Reese, Avery and Eleanor, and I am looking for a player like Tess to take on a bigger role in the offense along with newcomers Jordan and Isabel.”
The dream destination for the 2020 Lions is a familiar one.
“We’ve created lots of goals as a team,”Kracker said, “but last year’s state run is our single greatest motivator this season.
“It helped unite this year’s team very quickly, because we are all focused and working towards the same goal. Whether we’re doing fitness or just taking a water break, one of us is always reminding the team of what we’re working for — which is to go back to state.”
The impact of last year’s state run on the current squad’s confidence was quickly clear.
“I think it's huge,” Lanspeary said. “I feel like we've been knocking on that door (to state) for quite a while and come up just short in many recent years. I think it will be most important when you get to the playoffs (later this year) and you've been through that experience.”
However this unusual preseason and beyond plays out, there is a familiar and very positive vibe around the Lions’ program.
“One of the biggest reasons that last year’s team was so successful was our unbreakable camaraderie,” Kracker said, “and I see the same thing in this year’s team.
“Even with just our first few practices this year, I’m excited because I can see that this team has a strong connection. We all love being around each other off the field, which can be seen through our play on the field. We root for each other and want each other to do well, even just at practice.”
After an 18-4-1 record last spring, including a 10-game winning streak from April 23 through supersectionals, the Lions are hungry for more.
“We definitely have some big shoes to fill from seniors who graduated last year,” Kracker said, “but we know that and we’ve already made some great progress.
“I can’t wait to see this team in action because we have a strong, dedicated core of returning players, as well as extremely talented new players.”
By Dave Owen
Can the Lions roar to an encore?
After placing fourth in Class 3A last year, the program’s best finish since also taking fourth in 2006, Lyons faces a dual challenge in their bid to build on that success.
The graduation of star midfielder Eileen Murphy (22 goals en route to all-state honors) and a strong senior class presents one clear obstacle.
“Every year we graduate our seniors and wonder how are we going to replace those players,” Lyons coach Bill Lanspeary said. “It's not just Eileen, who was obviously a special player (who played in 15 games as a freshman at Illinois last fall), it's all the seniors.
“We've seen that our younger players have trained with them a bit, learned from them and are excited for their opportunity. To me, it's never about just one player but getting an entire team to step up, take on bigger roles, and become the best team we can be each year.”
With 20 regional titles in the last 23 years, the Lions have a history of doing just that.
But a less typical second challenge has emerged: the Coronavirus’ delay in the start to the season, with the opening date of play currently in doubt.
“It’s obviously disappointing to have all of these changes to the start of our season,” Lyons senior defender Peri Kracker said of the suspension of practices and March games, “but I’m very confident that our team is going to come out even stronger once we can get back to playing.
“We’re all working hard to stay in shape and get touches on our own, and we still communicate with each other daily in order to keep the team spirit and morale high. In some ways, I feel like we haven’t even skipped a beat.”
Kracker, senior Nora Blake and junior Elli Kosonovich are top returners from a defender corps that helped produce 13 shutouts last season.
Goalkeeper Sophie Grabis notched a 0.45 goals against average in 11 games before a late-season injury, and Eden Suda enters the mix in the nets after missing 2019 with a shoulder injury.
“I think we'll be pretty solid in the back with a lot of returning players,” Lanspeary said. “We need to figure out our midfield and our forwards to capitalize on our opportunities.”
Two proven finishers provide a good foundation at forward.
Ava Dallavo was the squad’s second leading scorer behind Murphy last spring with eight goals and eight assists, and Olivia Wirtz (five goals, three assists in 2019) had the goal in Lyons’ 2-1 state semifinal loss to eventual 3A champion Naperville North.
Tess Grzegorek (three goals, two assists in 2019) and Colleen Kulinski (one goal) also return at forward.
Lily Mattern figures to anchor the midfield, moving there after playing defender last season.
Mattern, Dallavo, Wirtz and Grabis were all on the Chicagoland Soccer All-State Watch List.
Beyond its nucleus of returning players, the Lions have plenty of strong newcomers set to make an impact.
Maddie McPartlin, Emma Wheling and Kate Fulscher join the already formidable backline.
Reese Koemsthoeft, Avery Livingston, Eleanor Musgrove and Sophie Kochanek will fill midfield spots left vacant by 2019 graduations. Jordan Lee-Caracci and Isabel Kochanek join the mix at forward.
“I definitely expect the returning players to lead the way, but the newcomers will make a big impact,” Lanspeary said. “Maddie McPartlin will likely start at center back.
“We'll need some of the new midfielders to really step up, Reese, Avery and Eleanor, and I am looking for a player like Tess to take on a bigger role in the offense along with newcomers Jordan and Isabel.”
The dream destination for the 2020 Lions is a familiar one.
“We’ve created lots of goals as a team,”Kracker said, “but last year’s state run is our single greatest motivator this season.
“It helped unite this year’s team very quickly, because we are all focused and working towards the same goal. Whether we’re doing fitness or just taking a water break, one of us is always reminding the team of what we’re working for — which is to go back to state.”
The impact of last year’s state run on the current squad’s confidence was quickly clear.
“I think it's huge,” Lanspeary said. “I feel like we've been knocking on that door (to state) for quite a while and come up just short in many recent years. I think it will be most important when you get to the playoffs (later this year) and you've been through that experience.”
However this unusual preseason and beyond plays out, there is a familiar and very positive vibe around the Lions’ program.
“One of the biggest reasons that last year’s team was so successful was our unbreakable camaraderie,” Kracker said, “and I see the same thing in this year’s team.
“Even with just our first few practices this year, I’m excited because I can see that this team has a strong connection. We all love being around each other off the field, which can be seen through our play on the field. We root for each other and want each other to do well, even just at practice.”
After an 18-4-1 record last spring, including a 10-game winning streak from April 23 through supersectionals, the Lions are hungry for more.
“We definitely have some big shoes to fill from seniors who graduated last year,” Kracker said, “but we know that and we’ve already made some great progress.
“I can’t wait to see this team in action because we have a strong, dedicated core of returning players, as well as extremely talented new players.”