Phoenix fall to Lyons Twp. for first loss of season

By Eddie Burns

Lincoln-Way North had won its first four matches this season but the Phoenix received their first stiff test at Lyons Township on a soggy Saturday.

The Phoenix lost the match 2-0 but coach Michael Murphy was encouraged by what he saw from his youthful squad, which is competing at the varsity level for the second year.

("Lyons) was by far the best team we've seen and we were excited to see where we stood," Murphy said.

"We are a very young team and I was very encouraged about the way we played."

A year ago when these squads met, the Lions won 8-1, but this year's match had a much different tone as it was competitive from start to finish.

"The main thing is that we've improved," said Phoenix sophomore midfielder Rita Craven.

"If you look at the scores the past two seasons, I feel that we really gave them tough competition."

Lyons (3-1) did establish control early with a goal in the opening minutes, but North (4-1) managed to hold its own to keep the deficit at 1-0 at the intermission.

Early in the second half, Kelsey Holbert and Katie Nasenbenny teamed up to score and give the Lions a two-goal lead.

"Lyons is an outstanding team, but when you look at the two goals they had two good opportunities to score and they did," Murphy said.

"That is what a good team does. At the end, we were pressuring them and putting some good shots on goal."

A big reason North stayed in the match was because of the play of its backline.

Defenders Alexa Eggert, Mandy Beniac, Lauren Sajewich and Dena Waldier were solid in front of goalie Michelle Balcerzak.

"The whole game was very encouraging," Murphy said. "We have six freshmen, six sophomores and six juniors -- we're young and to come out and play a quality program like this tells us that we are headed in the right direction.

"We have some work to do, but by the end of the season I'll be eager to see where we stand."

Kaci Jazo, Leigh Larocco and Craven were instrumental in helping the Phoenix create their offensive runs.

Lyons coach Bill Lanspeary noticed a difference in North.

"They might not have the name of some other schools yet, but they are a tough team," he said. "They are much more skilled and more athletic than when we saw them a year ago. They were very tough in the back.

"They have a few more athletes, which makes them better. I thought they knocked the ball around and possessed the ball really well."

The Phoenix began the season with a 4-2 win against Downers Grove South.

"When we first started practicing I was like, 'Oh yeah, we'll be pretty decent,' " said Craven, who is among the team leaders with six goals.

"But in that first game against Downers South we all just clicked and I was so surprised. I was surprised we beat them like we did."

North will look to build upon its performance against Lyons as it moves into conference play.

"We have to learn from this experience and use what worked and try to avoid what didn't work," Craven said.

"The improvement we've made at this point from last year is really encouraging, but there is plenty of work to be done."