Porters wrap up another perfect SWSC Blue championship

 

 

By Curt Herron

Eight different players scored goals, including three who collected their first career tallies.

A nice senior day ceremony where 10 athletes were recognized for their contributions toward the program.

An easy triumph to wrap up a second-straight unbeaten SouthWest Suburban Conference Blue Division title.

And an enjoyable post-match gathering where Todd Elkei and Chris Beal both got their faces covered with frosting.

Tuesday turned out to be a truly memorable afternoon as Lockport celebrated a special class and its accomplishments.

The Porters capped a 6-0 SWSC Blue championship with an 8-0 victory over Joliet Central, just as it did a year ago.

This is not only LTHS's second consecutive conference title, but also just the second in the program's history.

Elkei was happy to honor a senior class that has also recorded a program-best 44 wins during the past three years.

The 10 seniors who were honored with their families included Ally Brehm, Alyssa DeYoung, Brynn Feeley and Allison Gamperl.

Other senior honorees were Jessica Liutkus, Jenny Meyer, Shannon Pedone, Leah Plescia, Melina Ramirez and Frannie Vargas.

"They're just a real close group that pulls for and cheers for each other," Elkei said. "So it was nice to see that we had eight different people score, four girls scored their first goals of the year and three of them their first goal ever.

"They're great in the classroom, too, being recognized as a two-time NCAA all-academic team. I like the confidence that they have and the expectations that we're going to come out and be a contending program every year and that's something the younger kids can look up to.

"They work hard and take pride in everything that they do. These girls started working in the weight room in November and some of them are power lifting all year. So they sacrifice a lot during the year for the spring."

It says a great deal about the character of this squad that they've been able to put together such a fine season.

The Porters closed out regular season at 13-3-1 after posting their ninth straight win and third consecutive shutout.

But in a year filled with a wide range of issues which tested everyones' resolve, the Porters continued to battle.

"That's the type of kids that they are," Elkei said. "Some teams would have said, 'we lost these players, we don't have anything left so we're done.' But these kids regrouped and decided to keep working hard because the kids who were hurt would be upset if they gave up.

"The second season starts now. but we've been building all year for this. We kind of build in the preseason to get to the Pepsi Showdown and then after that we build for Iowa and conference. Now we get a tough team in Plainfield South and we'll battle and see what happens."

Like so many other quality teams, the Porters got put in the brutal Bolingbrook Sectional, where they're the eighth seed.

That means to win another regional, LTHS has to defeat Plainfield south and then defending state champ Naperville North.

But none of that was on the players' minds on Tuesday, when the home crowd was treated on one of the season's best days.

Plescia handed out four assists with Courtney Hackett, Pedone and Ramirez all collecting their first career goals.

Vargas picked up her initial goal of the season while Lacey Clarida, Mary Licata, Feeley and Brehm also connected.

Clarida also had a pair of assists while Brehm and Meyer, who split time in net with DeYoung, also helped on goals.

Pedone put the Porters up for good in the opening minutes when she scored her first goal, off of a Clarida assist.

"A lot of people have been flexible with us pulling up other players and have been able to work with people who we may not have played with before," Pedone said. "I like how we're able to step up and play positions that we normally don't play.

"We have a hard-work mentality so we fight through things since nothing was going to keep us down. I like how at times we can be silly and fun but when it comes down to it, we're focused and ready to play and willing to do what we need to get it done.

"I love being with these girls since they're so happy and optimistic and nothing gets them down."

A bit later, Clarida scored on a header following a cross from Plescia and then Brehm found Feeley, who connected.

In the 23rd minute, Brehm made it 4-0 following a pass from Clarida and then Hackett scored off a Plescia assist.

Late in the half, Plescia found Ramirez, who got her first score, and then Licata tallied, thanks to a Meyer pass.

"We graduated a lot of seniors from last year and then we had a lot of injuries this season," Ramirez said. "But this kind of lays a foundation for Lockport history that even though you are down you can always come back up, so you never should give up.

"A lot of it comes from attitude since we have been playing together for years and we have the power to not let each other down and I think that's important. A lot of us are seniors and will be graduating so this is the legacy that we want to leave at Lockport.

"I like our attitude, which is to get back up and on your feet and don't let each other down. That's mostly what helped power us through this season."

Up by seven at the break, the Porters only needed to play 20 minutes in the final half and added one more score.

Plescia collected her fourth assist of the afternoon after finding Vargas, who scored her first goal of the year.

Although she has had to watch her teammates from the bench due to injury, Gamperl is proud of this senior class.

"I had a different view since I was on the bench instead of on the field this year," Gamperl said. "You could really see how the attitude affected the team. We had a lot of injuries and had our ups and downs but the girls never let their heads hang low.

"If someone had a reason not to play, they'd look over at the bench and see us and they would play for us. We're very close since all of us have been in the program for four years. We've all grown as a family and Elkei's taken the program to what it is now.

"We're proud to be a part of another conference championship team. Skill is definitely a big part of it but you always have to try to work harder, you can't be satisfied with where you are."