Senior Brennan Israel has played for two consecutive Lyons Township High School girls soccer Class 3A sectional finalists. The biggest thrill for the starting central defender remains when twin sister Peyton made the varsity for the first time last season.
“I was so happy for her,” Brennan said. “I started crying because I knew how much she wanted to be on the team and her being on the team with me made it so much more special.”
Special bonds will fuel the Lions and Riverside Brookfield when they meet at 11 a.m. Saturday for the 3A LT Regional title in Western Springs.
In Monday’s semifinals, LTHS (16-3-2, 5-1 in West Suburban Conference Silver), the No. 2 seed in the Hinsdale Central Sectional, defeated No. 15 Curie 11-0, and No. 7 RBHS (12-7-2, 5-1 in Metro Suburban Conference) topped No. 11 Oak Lawn 4-0 in a steady or driving rain. Saturday’s winner advances to the sectional semifinals at 6:30 p.m., May 21, most likely against No. 3 Hinsdale Central (13-7, 3-3 in WSC Silver).
“We lost some really big threats [to graduation] but I feel like this season our team is more connected and really connected outside of soccer,” said LTHS junior all-state forward Caroline Mortonson (8 goals, 7 assists this season). “It makes it so fun to play together and the bus rides are so fun. I feel like we’ve translated it onto the field.”
The Lions are ranked No. 8 in the area by ChicagolandSoccer.com and have won 10 straight regional titles. Their hopes of a seventh straight WSC Silver title ended May 6 when they lost their finale to York on penalty kicks to settle a 1-1 tie. The Dukes (15-1-1, 6-0 in WSC Silver) are ranked No. 4 and are the No. 1 seed in the Hinsdale Central Sectional.
The Bulldogs seek their first regional title since 2016 in 2A. On Monday, they got goals from Michelle Panduro, Hazel Hall (two) and Ella Caputo in the final 34:10 after Oak Lawn missed a first-half penalty kick.
The Bulldogs lost their last three regular season games but only after a 7-0-2 run that included a 4-2 victory at Elmwood Park, April 25, to earn a share of the Metro Suburban Conference title with the Tigers (11-2-1, 4-1 in MSC), who won the first meeting 2-1 in overtime, April 4.
With the rematch tied 2-2, senior Niamh Larson scored in the 64th minute and assisted Hall in the 70th minute. The attempted clear struck Hall in the face and rolled into the net.
“I think we pretty much underestimated them the first time. When we went back to go play them, everyone wanted conference so we pushed,” Larson said.
“We were definitely a lot more locked in the second game,” senior Maddie Bisiules added. “We all knew how much the game meant so we got it done.”
The Lions boast two sets of senior twins, the fraternal Israels and identical Avery and Riley Wengerd, and another pair of sisters with Mortonson and freshman Claire Mortonson.
Riley (8 games) and Avery (6 games) Wengerd have just returned to the lineup mid-season after both undergoing ACL surgery on their right knees in 2023. Each has scored a goal. Riley never played last season. She underwent surgery April 19, 2023, the day after Avery suffered the exact same injury and had surgery in May.
“I think me and Riley are probably the closest siblings on the team for sure,” Avery said. “She’ll play right wing and I’ll play right back [defense]. We kind of have that connection.”
“It’s such an instinct,” Avery said. “I know what she likes. We can read each other’s minds and we’re basically alike in literally everything.”
On the field, it’s the same telepathy for the Israels. Peyton is a starting forward and Brennan anchors the interior defense with senior Caroline McKenna.
“Sometimes on the field, I don’t feel like we need to talk. We just know what the other person is going to do,” Brennan said. “She’ll start running so that I can give her the ball.”
“I just would rather score goals than play defense and over time Brennan liked stopping and shutting down the other team,” Peyton said.
The Israels and Wengerds have been teammates since their youth soccer days. This is first time for the Mortonsons.
“It’s like a new experience and really fun for me. It’s great to play with [Caroline],” Claire Mortonson said. “It’s been my goal ever since she made varsity freshman year to make it, too, so we could play together. And so I could make [varsity], too, like her.”