WESTERN SPRINGS -- Lyons senior Peyton Israel was easily able to recall, with regret, what happened when her team faced Hinsdale Central in last year’s playoffs.

In a Sweet 16 matchup, the Lions fell to the Red Devils 2-1 in double overtime in the Reavis Sectional championship.

When Lyons met its longtime rivals Tuesday in a key West Suburban Conference Silver Division tilt, Peyton and her teammates had that tough loss on their minds.

“They’re the ones who ended our state run last year,” said Israel. “So, we knew we had to win this game today to get revenge.”

And on a windy, blustery day, in a game moved to Bennett Field on Lyons’ South Campus in case of wet weather, the Lions, who are ranked eighth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, did just that.

They built a 2-0 lead, then held off no. 14 Hinsdale Central down the stretch for a 2-1 conference win.

“They’re the closest school to us, and it’s a rivalry every year,” added Israel. “It’s always great beating them.”

With the victory, Lyons improved to 3-0-x in the division (11-1-2 overall), and moved into a tie with York for the Silver Division lead.

Hinsdale Central fell to 11-3-0, 2-1-x. Despite the loss, Red Devils senior forward Cate McDonnell said that she was proud of the way her team battled.

“We always take positives out of every game we play,” said McDonnell, “and it was encouraging how hard we fought.

“Lyons is a great team. They put up a great performance, but we kept fighting. And we never stopped.”

The Lions had a stiff wind at their backs in the first half and took advantage in the fifth minute.

Israel scored off an assist from senior defender Caroline McKenna. McKenna headed a corner kick to Israel, who booted it in from three yards away.

“I honestly saw it (the corner kick) coming straight at my head,” said McKenna. “I thought I could put it in, but I hit it wrong, and it deflected right to Peyton’s feet.

“She had a great finish, so it really worked out well for us.”

Israel added that getting the first goal of the game gave her team a big boost.

“We were super-energized (at the beginning of the game) and motivated,” said the senior forward. 

“We were like ‘We got this.’ and ‘Let’s get one in the first five minutes.’ It was great to get that early goal, because it picked up the energy for the rest of the game.”

Hinsdale Central coach Tony Madonia felt his crew was strong in the opening stanza.

“They got that score in the first few minutes, and that’s always rough,” said Madonia. “We gave up that goal, but the rest of the first half we shut them out with nothing but a few corner kicks.”

Lyons controlled play through most of the first 40 minutes. Junior Caroline Mortonson led the way for the home team.

The forward sent a rocket of a header toward the Hinsdale Central goal in the 14th minute, but Hinsdale Central keeper Emeline McClenahan was up to the task with a great save.

Mortonson created several more chances for her teammates, but at intermission the score still stood at 1-0.

“We were focused on hunkering down and defending,” said Madonia. “I thought we defended really well in the first half, and that was kind of our focus.”

After halftime Lyons stayed on the attack. In the 48th minute, Mortonson drove the ball toward the Red Devils goal. The play culminated in a PK when a handball was called on Hinsdale Central in the box.

Izzi Wirtz took the attempt but couldn’t solve McClenahan, who made a great block on the try.

“Props to our goalkeeper (McCenahan),” said Madonia. “She was able to persevere and make an amazing save.”

Ten minutes later, though, Lyons broke through for a second time.

McKenna again came through again with an assist after she found Mortonson with a long pass. The All-Stater split defenders and finished from 10 yards to make it 2-0.

At that point, McKenna added that there was nothing for her team to do but “keep our foot on the gas.

“We just had to keep pushing,” said the senior. “We point to this game every year, and we couldn’t let up.”

For her inspired play and pair of assists, the defender claimed the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor.

Lyons almost made it 3-0 in the 69th minute. Mortonson fielded a terrific cross from teammate Josie Pochocki. She turned and fired a shot on goal from 20 yards, but 
once again McClenahan was there for the clutch save.

But Hinsdale Central didn’t quit. With 6:08 left in regulation, the got one back.

Red Devils sophomore defender Addisyn Krogstie sent the ball from deep in her own territory to classmate Piper Bingham.

The midfielder passed the ball forward to McDonnell, who outraced two defenders and sent the ball to the back of the net to make it 2-1.

It was the 10th-consecutive game that the senior had at least a goal or assist.

“Toward the end of the game you start to get hungry,” said McDonnell, “and I wanted to put something on frame. I just followed through, and it went in.”

Lyons denied a Hinsdale Central push in the final few minutes. The Lions kept the ball in Red Devils territory until just 30 seconds remained in the game.

“It was frustrating to watch them hold the ball in the corner,” said McDonnell, “but that’s part of the game. That was their strategy, but we tried to stay clean and get the ball out.”

Hinsdale Central was finally able to advance the ball past the mid-pitch stripe, but a deflection by McKenna, who was outstanding on both ends of the pitch, sent the ball sailing beyond the touch line.

The Red Devils got a throw-in at the 30-yard line, but the final horn sounded before they could get a shot on goal.

Revenge was served.

“Our whole team played great the entire game,” said Israel. “We knew if we kept the energy up and kept the positivity up, we could succeed.”

Madonia was disappointed in the loss, but added that there’s no shame in falling to a stellar side such as Lyons.

“You look at LT,” said the Hinsdale Central coach, “and they’re a great team, no two ways about it.

“But our girls all said that this shows we’re capable of competing against teams like this. Now we’re looking forward to playing (top-ranked) Barrington (in the Naperville Invitational quarterfinals) Thursday. We’re coming right back and playing against another top team in the state.”

Starting lineups

Hinsdale Central
GK: Emeline McClenahan
D: Julia Marinaccio
D: Claire Snodgrass
D: Addisyn Krogstie
D: Adriana Giannini
M: Emily DiTomasso
M: Avery Edgewater
M: Peyton Rohn
M: Piper Bingham
F: Cate McDonnell
F: Caitlin Doherty

Lyons
GK: Nora Ezike
D: Jillian Herchenroether
D: Caroline McKenna
D: Brennan Israel
D: Abby Brown
M: Josie Pochocki
M: Izzi Wirtz
M: Leahla Frazier
F: Caroline Mortonson
F: Izzy Lebar
F: Peyton Israel

Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match
Caroline McKenna, Sr., D, Lyons

Scoring summary

First half
LT: P. Israel (McKenna), 5'

Second half
LT: Ca. Mortonson (McKenna), 58'
HC: McDonnell (Bingham), 74'