Lancers put up 7 in win over Willowbrook
By Dave Owen

Lake Park went to great lengths to make Senior Day extra special. 

The Lancers’ 7-1 win over Willowbrook on Saturday featured goals by two seniors brought up for the game from the junior varsity squad, and a long sought dream come true for goalkeeper Jamie Crowley.

Moved to forward in the second half with the Lancers (12-5-1) in command up 6-0, Crowley’s sliding shot into the net off a short Rachel Garippo cross to the crease with 12:01 left to play set off the biggest celebration of the day.

“My first priority was getting a shutout for the first half,” Crowley said. “But something I’ve always wanted to do since freshman year was to score a goal. I was really glad I was able to do it on the varsity level on my home field, and on Senior Day...I'm so happy.”

Crowley had been barely denied by Willowbrook goalkeeper Allie Jones on a point blank shot off a Jillian Kent corner kick with 31:50 left in the game, but didn’t miss her next chance.

“It was a great feeling – I’ve only scored one other goal besides that in my entire life. Being a goalkeeper, I never really get that opportunity. So it was just really fun to be able to celebrate with my team, and come out and play for my teammates.”

Despite the lopsided final score, Crowley also figured prominently early in the match as a goalkeeper.

After Megan Lindbert scored just 17 seconds after the opening kickoff to give the Lancers a 1-0 lead, Willowbrook nearly responded.

Warriors’ standout Melissa Rader broke free in the box in the 5th minute of the match, only to have her 10-yard shot stopped point blank at the right post by Crowley.

“It’s a great feeling making that save,” Crowley said. “Obviously I loved scoring that goal, but making that save felt 10 times better than scoring that goal ever did.

“I was just happy to be able to do that (save) for my teammates.”

Crowley later withstood Rader breakaways in the 25th minute of the first half (a 25-yard shot sent just wide) and 13:15 before the break (diving to cover Rader's dribble into the box).

But by then, Lake Park's offense had removed any doubt about the Lancers' seventh win in their last eight games.

With 34:13 left in the first half, junior Jessica Berkshire sent a high 15-yard shot from near the end line that curled into the far corner of the net for a 2-0 lead.

Goals followed in quick succession by seniors Delaney Thompson (32:19) and Morghan Smith (29:35) to put the Lancers up 4-0. The two junior varsity players' mere presence in the lineup was another part of an extra-special Senior Day.

“We were supposed to play a JV and varsity game, and we just found out at game time that they (Willowbrook) weren’t able to field a JV team,” Lake Park coach Chris Fruehling said. “So what I did was invite the seniors on JV to come play with us.”

That classy move gave Thompson and Smith their first varsity goals, and usual JV players Rebecca Tipner, Nicole Graf, Irini Lipi and Hannah Garippo also saw extensive playing time Saturday. Thompson and Hannah Garippo were both in the starting lineup.

“Each senior was able to contribute today in their own way, even the ones we had up from JV,” Fruehling said. “Playing with us for the very first time, they did a nice job blending with us. And to be able to share this with the team and the program, it was a special day for me and for them.”

Defender Mary Reid was Lake Park’s 10th senior in the lineup Saturday, starting at defender and nicely denying a Rader shot attempt late in the first half.

Senior Rachel Garippo’s attacks on right wing and crosses were catalysts all day for Lake Park scoring attempts. She assisted on Thompson’s goal, and Smith scored on the rebound of a leaping deflection by goalkeeper Jones of a Garippo cross.

“Rachel’s a tremendous outside mid for us,” Fruehling said. “She will work tirelessly for runs up and down the line. And I can always count on her to get back (on defense) and help out too.
“She does what all coaches love: looks to execute what we’ve drawn up.”

Execution of a set play made the score 5-0 in the 24th minute. After an initial goalkeeper stop of Lindbert’s 25-yard free kick, Berskhire put away the rebound for her second goal of the game.

The lead became 6-0 with 8:11 left in the half when Lindbert lofted a high 40-yard shot just under the crossbar, the senior captain’s 21st goal of the season.

“There was a lot of emotion today because it’s my last year and I’ve been on varsity for four years now,” Lindbert said. “It’s been a tremendous time. It’s sad that it’s coming to an end.”

The Lancers’ offensive pressure produced 20 shots on goal on the day.

“It was possession and looking to go over the top over their defensive line, and having our players run on to it,” Lindbert said. “We were mainly looking for the seniors to get finishes.”
Lindbert was narrowly denied a hat trick with 2:15 when sliding goalkeeper Jones bravely blocked a point blank shot with her face.

Lake Park second half goalkeeper Rebecca Thorne made a great diving save of her own with 16:10 to go in the match on a 22-yard direct kick. But Willowbrook snapped the shutout bid with 15:36 left when Rader headed home a corner kick.

Crowley’s goal would follow minutes later, the culmination of a dream Senior Day for the Lancers.

“This was tremendous, and it’s all about the seniors,” Fruehling said. “As a coach I told them this is the most special day for me, to get to see them have fun and play together. To be able to come up with a win makes it a picture perfect day.”

Among the underclassmen, starters Berkshire, Jillian Kent, Emily Adelman, Lindsey Troyke and Casey Harris helped the Lancers to their big early lead. Lake Park has poured in 36 goals over its last eight matches.

“This year we have girls back healthy who were out last year with ACL injuries from last year,” Fruehling said. “With them being back we definitely have more offense that we wanted to capitalize on. We’re very fortunate to have that in the attacking third and be able to finish opportunities that we have. They have tremendous determination to finish those opportunities.”

After a Senior Day to remember, Lake Park is now determined to make the entire month of May special when postseason play begins on familiar turf. 

“We’re hosting regionals, and I don’t want to play my last game here,” Crowley said. “I want to finish out my season strong, and every person on this team wants to win a regional championship and play two games in the sectional tournament (at Hoffman Estates).”