And the winner is ... Fuller and Lyons
Long-ball connects to overcome conditions, LWN
By Dave Owen
If and when the award for “Best Goal in the Worst Weather” is presented, Lyons’ Jenna Fuller should have a spot in the trophy case ready.
Fuller’s amazingly placed 30-yard free-kick in high winds and 35-degree temperatures was the difference Saturday for the eighth-ranked Lions (3-0-1) in a 1-0 nonconference win over no. 16 Lincoln-Way North (5-2-0).
But whether it was showing humility or considering the bizarre weather conditions, Fuller downplayed the planned intention of the play.
“It was originally intended as a cross, but it was very windy so the wind kind of took it,” she said. “I guess it was kind of lucky.”
Luck, skill or both, Fuller’s clutch strike ranks as one the best and most important goals of the young season.
“She’s a great player,” Lyons coach Bill Lanspeary said. “She’s off to a great start for us (four goals in four games).
“She’s dangerous – she creates things for herself and for other players too. We had another great opportunity late with her individual play laying it across.”
Fuller’s nice pass with 15:50 left was chipped inches wide from 6 yards by Delaney Fox. But five minutes earlier, Fuller had defied the elements and the odds to produce the game-breaking moment.
After a foul along the left sideline, Fuller perfectly tucked the ensuing free-kick high inside the far (right) post to put the Lions up 1-0.
“She’s been great at corners and is really dangerous on the outside,” Lyons standout striker Grace Salvino said. “The way she plays, it was an easy kick for her to make that shot.”
Nothing else was easy for anything but penguins and polar bears Saturday.
“I’ve never seen a game like that,” Fuller said. “We’ve all played in high winds before, and snow, but never all in one game.”
The match began with snow flurries and heavy winds from the north. And while the snow would essentially dissipate -- except for a short time early in the second half and then immediately after the game -- the winds and bitter cold were a constant.
“We played well in the adversity of the weather,” Salvino said. “At the beginning we were having the ball on the ground and struggling to get the ball forward, but we played the ball to feet and our mids worked really hard today.”
With the winds making every pass up or across the field an adventure, the Lions’ midfielders were critical to controlling play.
“I thought Eileen Murphy played well in the middle for us,” Lanspeary said.
“There were stretches when our center midfielders Eileen, Lizzy (Hall) and Sheila (Murphy) were playing some of their best soccer. But there were other times we were bypassing them.
“Sometimes we were really connecting and possessing through them,” Lanspeary said, “and other times we didn’t seem to find them enough. But it’s getting better.”
Playing into the wind in the first half, the Lions still manufactured many threats.
Eight minutes in, Kaelan Lee’s 20-yard shot was caught by Phoenix goalkeeper Maria Fields.
Then in the 15th minute, a well-defended Fuller sent an 18-yard left-footed try that Fields stopped at the left post. Then Salvino nicely sidestepped a defender and lined a low 22-yarder that Fields caught.
With 16:10 left in the half, Fuller’s 30-yard try curled just wide of the post and a diving Fields.
Eileen Murphy also had a 25-yard shot that Fields saved.
Lyons goalkeeper Emily Johnson made her own nice first half saves on a tough, skipping 25-yard shot by Bianca Galassini and a left-footed redirect inside the box by Lincoln-Way North’s Grace Murphy.
“We put Lyons on the schedule for a reason because they’re always a top 10 team in the state,” Phoenix coach Mike Murphy said.
“I thought we played well. We had a couple opportunities to score, and I thought we did a good job keeping them out of dangerous spots. I can’t complain. Sure I’d like 0-0 or a 1-0 win, but to come away 1-0 against a good team like this in weather conditions like this is outstanding.”
The Phoenix defense had opened the season with five-straight shutouts before a 3-0 loss to Plainfield Central, which came with several starters missing over spring break.
Back with their full lineup back intact, the Phoenix defense stood tall again except for Fuller’s perfect strike.
With the strong wind in Lyons’ favor, the second half attack began with a Fuller 20-yard drive off a Salvino pass that Fields dove to save and cover with 33:50 left.
A Salvino 23-yard free-kick with 28:30 to go was blocked by a Phoenix wall of defenders. But the next Lions set-piece (Fuller’s free-kick) brought different results.
“In the grand scheme, with our whole team here that’s the first goal we’ve given up,” Murphy said.
The dual challenge of the weather and facing the 2014 Class 3A semifinalist Phoenix were a familiar test for the Lions, who have already defeated Waubonsie Valley and tied Metea Valley this spring.
“We have really good team chemistry,” Fuller said. “We’ve done more team bonding and things where we’re all together on and off the field.”
The teamwork is paying off on the scoreboard.
“This year we’ve started off stronger than last year,” Fuller said. “But we have to stay focused on every game and not look ahead for too many games coming up.”
Lanspeary has the same perspective, especially with a hectic start to April.
“We look at our schedule and every game is tough,” he said. “It’s hard to look ahead but we do a little bit. We have a busy week – Downers North on Monday is very good, Proviso West on Tuesday. Oak Park on Thursday is off to a good start, and then the Pepsi (tournament).
“It’s a busy week, so getting a win here is nice. It gets things rolling a little bit.”
Up 1-0, the Lions kept the pressure on with 18:30 left on a tough 20-yard shot by Fox that Fields short hopped on the slick turf. Then with 4:20 to go, Salvino nicely intercepted a goal kick, raced in and chipped an 18-yarder just over the crossbar.
The Lyons defense made three late stands against moderate pressure. Sarah Fitzgerald and Halee Stirrat combined to clear an attack from 25-yards, and Lee was fouled after controlling a Phoenix throw-in chance with 2:30 to go.
Then in the final 30 seconds, Izy Scott cleared an attack out of bounds 45 yards out. And a low 30-yard try by Galassini with 10 seconds left was repelled by the Lions.
While still seeking more consistency, Lanspeary was pleased with his team’s ability to endure a tough opponent and brutal elements.
“There were some times where we did some good things, and others when you look out there and ‘what’s going on,’”Lanspeary said. “That’s kind of how it’s been early in the season.
“But we’re starting to see more and more of those times when we’re looking better, and the ‘what’s going on’ part is being minimized a little bit.”
“You could tell our kids weren’t going as hard to loose balls in some other games. But these were miserable conditions.
“You try not to talk about the conditions too much,” Lanspeary added. “It’s going to be there anyway and in their heads, so we focus on things we can do to be successful. We didn’t sub as often as we usually do. We try to sub more in different conditions, but here it was they have to get warm and leave them in a little longer.”
While the temperatures remain iffy short-term, the Lions seem to be heating up just in time for a key conference stretch.
“This is a good win over a good team,” Salvino said. “Now we’re starting conference play next week, and we’re looking forward to starting that season off strong and hopefully winning the conference.”
Starting line-ups:
Lincoln-Way North
GK: Maria Fields
D: Carolyn Waleski
D: Ava Eggert
D: Carly Marchal
D: Amanda Logan
MF: Bianca Gallasini
MF: Kelsey McInturff
MF: Grace Sheridan
MF: Amber Brooks
F: Grace Murphy
F: Rachel Pappas
Lyons
GK: Emily Johnson
D: Keira Frese
D: Catherine Johnson
D: Kaelan Lee
D: Izy Scott
MF: Sheila Murphy
MF: Eileen Murphy
MF: Lizzy Hall
MF: Mary Devine
F: Jenna Fuller
F: Grace Salvino
MVP of the Match: Jenna Fuller, F, Lyons
Long-ball connects to overcome conditions, LWN
By Dave Owen
If and when the award for “Best Goal in the Worst Weather” is presented, Lyons’ Jenna Fuller should have a spot in the trophy case ready.
Fuller’s amazingly placed 30-yard free-kick in high winds and 35-degree temperatures was the difference Saturday for the eighth-ranked Lions (3-0-1) in a 1-0 nonconference win over no. 16 Lincoln-Way North (5-2-0).
But whether it was showing humility or considering the bizarre weather conditions, Fuller downplayed the planned intention of the play.
“It was originally intended as a cross, but it was very windy so the wind kind of took it,” she said. “I guess it was kind of lucky.”
Luck, skill or both, Fuller’s clutch strike ranks as one the best and most important goals of the young season.
“She’s a great player,” Lyons coach Bill Lanspeary said. “She’s off to a great start for us (four goals in four games).
“She’s dangerous – she creates things for herself and for other players too. We had another great opportunity late with her individual play laying it across.”
Fuller’s nice pass with 15:50 left was chipped inches wide from 6 yards by Delaney Fox. But five minutes earlier, Fuller had defied the elements and the odds to produce the game-breaking moment.
After a foul along the left sideline, Fuller perfectly tucked the ensuing free-kick high inside the far (right) post to put the Lions up 1-0.
“She’s been great at corners and is really dangerous on the outside,” Lyons standout striker Grace Salvino said. “The way she plays, it was an easy kick for her to make that shot.”
Nothing else was easy for anything but penguins and polar bears Saturday.
“I’ve never seen a game like that,” Fuller said. “We’ve all played in high winds before, and snow, but never all in one game.”
The match began with snow flurries and heavy winds from the north. And while the snow would essentially dissipate -- except for a short time early in the second half and then immediately after the game -- the winds and bitter cold were a constant.
“We played well in the adversity of the weather,” Salvino said. “At the beginning we were having the ball on the ground and struggling to get the ball forward, but we played the ball to feet and our mids worked really hard today.”
With the winds making every pass up or across the field an adventure, the Lions’ midfielders were critical to controlling play.
“I thought Eileen Murphy played well in the middle for us,” Lanspeary said.
“There were stretches when our center midfielders Eileen, Lizzy (Hall) and Sheila (Murphy) were playing some of their best soccer. But there were other times we were bypassing them.
“Sometimes we were really connecting and possessing through them,” Lanspeary said, “and other times we didn’t seem to find them enough. But it’s getting better.”
Playing into the wind in the first half, the Lions still manufactured many threats.
Eight minutes in, Kaelan Lee’s 20-yard shot was caught by Phoenix goalkeeper Maria Fields.
Then in the 15th minute, a well-defended Fuller sent an 18-yard left-footed try that Fields stopped at the left post. Then Salvino nicely sidestepped a defender and lined a low 22-yarder that Fields caught.
With 16:10 left in the half, Fuller’s 30-yard try curled just wide of the post and a diving Fields.
Eileen Murphy also had a 25-yard shot that Fields saved.
Lyons goalkeeper Emily Johnson made her own nice first half saves on a tough, skipping 25-yard shot by Bianca Galassini and a left-footed redirect inside the box by Lincoln-Way North’s Grace Murphy.
“We put Lyons on the schedule for a reason because they’re always a top 10 team in the state,” Phoenix coach Mike Murphy said.
“I thought we played well. We had a couple opportunities to score, and I thought we did a good job keeping them out of dangerous spots. I can’t complain. Sure I’d like 0-0 or a 1-0 win, but to come away 1-0 against a good team like this in weather conditions like this is outstanding.”
The Phoenix defense had opened the season with five-straight shutouts before a 3-0 loss to Plainfield Central, which came with several starters missing over spring break.
Back with their full lineup back intact, the Phoenix defense stood tall again except for Fuller’s perfect strike.
With the strong wind in Lyons’ favor, the second half attack began with a Fuller 20-yard drive off a Salvino pass that Fields dove to save and cover with 33:50 left.
A Salvino 23-yard free-kick with 28:30 to go was blocked by a Phoenix wall of defenders. But the next Lions set-piece (Fuller’s free-kick) brought different results.
“In the grand scheme, with our whole team here that’s the first goal we’ve given up,” Murphy said.
The dual challenge of the weather and facing the 2014 Class 3A semifinalist Phoenix were a familiar test for the Lions, who have already defeated Waubonsie Valley and tied Metea Valley this spring.
“We have really good team chemistry,” Fuller said. “We’ve done more team bonding and things where we’re all together on and off the field.”
The teamwork is paying off on the scoreboard.
“This year we’ve started off stronger than last year,” Fuller said. “But we have to stay focused on every game and not look ahead for too many games coming up.”
Lanspeary has the same perspective, especially with a hectic start to April.
“We look at our schedule and every game is tough,” he said. “It’s hard to look ahead but we do a little bit. We have a busy week – Downers North on Monday is very good, Proviso West on Tuesday. Oak Park on Thursday is off to a good start, and then the Pepsi (tournament).
“It’s a busy week, so getting a win here is nice. It gets things rolling a little bit.”
Up 1-0, the Lions kept the pressure on with 18:30 left on a tough 20-yard shot by Fox that Fields short hopped on the slick turf. Then with 4:20 to go, Salvino nicely intercepted a goal kick, raced in and chipped an 18-yarder just over the crossbar.
The Lyons defense made three late stands against moderate pressure. Sarah Fitzgerald and Halee Stirrat combined to clear an attack from 25-yards, and Lee was fouled after controlling a Phoenix throw-in chance with 2:30 to go.
Then in the final 30 seconds, Izy Scott cleared an attack out of bounds 45 yards out. And a low 30-yard try by Galassini with 10 seconds left was repelled by the Lions.
While still seeking more consistency, Lanspeary was pleased with his team’s ability to endure a tough opponent and brutal elements.
“There were some times where we did some good things, and others when you look out there and ‘what’s going on,’”Lanspeary said. “That’s kind of how it’s been early in the season.
“But we’re starting to see more and more of those times when we’re looking better, and the ‘what’s going on’ part is being minimized a little bit.”
“You could tell our kids weren’t going as hard to loose balls in some other games. But these were miserable conditions.
“You try not to talk about the conditions too much,” Lanspeary added. “It’s going to be there anyway and in their heads, so we focus on things we can do to be successful. We didn’t sub as often as we usually do. We try to sub more in different conditions, but here it was they have to get warm and leave them in a little longer.”
While the temperatures remain iffy short-term, the Lions seem to be heating up just in time for a key conference stretch.
“This is a good win over a good team,” Salvino said. “Now we’re starting conference play next week, and we’re looking forward to starting that season off strong and hopefully winning the conference.”
Starting line-ups:
Lincoln-Way North
GK: Maria Fields
D: Carolyn Waleski
D: Ava Eggert
D: Carly Marchal
D: Amanda Logan
MF: Bianca Gallasini
MF: Kelsey McInturff
MF: Grace Sheridan
MF: Amber Brooks
F: Grace Murphy
F: Rachel Pappas
Lyons
GK: Emily Johnson
D: Keira Frese
D: Catherine Johnson
D: Kaelan Lee
D: Izy Scott
MF: Sheila Murphy
MF: Eileen Murphy
MF: Lizzy Hall
MF: Mary Devine
F: Jenna Fuller
F: Grace Salvino
MVP of the Match: Jenna Fuller, F, Lyons