Jillian Herchenroether certainly is among the longest last names in her senior class at Lyons Township High School.
“I don’t know, but I know it was really hard to learn how to spell in kindergarten,” Herchenroether said. “We got sweatshirts this year and I just put Herc [on the back]. That’s easier than the long last name for sure.”
As a girls soccer player, Herchenroether continues to make a name for herself. She’s part of another strong defense for one of the state’s best teams.
The Lions (9-1-1) already have eight shutouts and have allowed just six goals. They moved to 2-0 in the West Suburban Conference Silver, Monday, by beating Downers Grove North 4-2 in La Grange.
“We’ve all known each other for a long time and I think our positive talk on the field and throughout practice really helps out,” Herchenroether said. “We’re all just a close team. You can tell through our play.”
Herchenroether and senior Abby Brown start at outside defender with seniors Caroline McKenna and Brennan Israel in the center. Sophomore Anna Bigenwald and junior Nora Ezike have been splitting time at goalie.
There’s also offensive punch, led by returning all-state junior forward Caroline Mortonson (7 goals, 5 assists), sophomore Zibby Michaelson (9 goals) and seniors Josie Pochocki (3 goals, 5 assists), Peyton Israel (4 goals, 4 assists), Leahla Frazier (3 goals, assist) and Izzy Lebar (2 goals, 2 assists).
The Lions began the season with seven shutouts. Now they’re in the thick of another challenging schedule against other top-10 teams ranked by ChicagolandSoccer.org.
In the Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic semifinals, Thursday, the Lions lost 2-1 to eventual champion Evanston (9-0-1). In group play, the Lions had a 2-2 tie with Glenbrook South (8-1-2), April 8, and beat Loyola 1-0, April 10, and Lake Forest 2-0, April 6.
“We’ve been off to a really good start. We were toe-to-toe with Evanston. I thought we had the better of the play in the second half,” LTHS coach Bill Lanspeary said.
“A little bit of a frustrating game [Monday] because I think our girls expect our level of play to be a little bit higher. Maybe it was playing on the grass [field] for the first time. Hopefully this is something we learn from.”
The Lions saw Downers North (6-6, 0-2 in Silver) tie the game 1-1 late in the first half and 2-2 on a counterattack with 24:44 remaining.
Michaelson scored the game-winner with 19:45 remaining with her 30-yard blast into the upper right corner of the goal.
“I just had the chance, took a couple of dribbles and shot,” said Michaelson, a part-time starter who scored the equalizer against Glenbrook South and both goals against Lake Forest.
“There’s so many good players [on LTHS], starting spots are never guaranteed. If I can get on the field and make something happen, I’m good with it.”
McKenna maintained the lead by heading out a header on goal off a corner kick in the 68th minute. Mortonson then converted a penalty kick with 4:45 to go after Lebar was fouled.
“That was really good [by McKenna]. She’s a good, strong player in the back,” Herchenroether said.
Mortonson scored first off a pass by Lebar. After a handball on Potocki’s shot, senior Izzi Wirtz put LTHS ahead 2-1 by rebounding her stopped penalty kick with 37:10 remaining.
This week’s Naperville North Invite begins with top-20 Fremd, Thursday, and Fenwick, Saturday. Fremd handed the Lions their only 2023 regular-season loss.