After two varsity seasons with the Lyons Township High School girls soccer team, senior forward Zibby Michaelson took a year off from high school play to focus on her club team and college recruiting.
“Playing (again) my senior year is amazing,” Michaelson said. “Playing club for me was super important and I didn’t want to leave the program my junior year. We have such a good team. I think the girls are a big aspect, too. We have each other’s backs and I think that’s what makes us so good.”
Saturday felt like the good old days for Michaelson and the Lions, but not without a lot of stress. They finally scored two goals in the first five minutes of overtime to fight off Downers Grove North 2-0 and win the Class 3A LT Regional title for their 13th consecutive regional championship.
LTHS (16-2-3), the No. 2 seed in the Downers Grove South Sectional, played No. 7 Oak Park and River Forest (9-7-2) Tuesday. The winner plays No. 1 Hinsdale Central (15-6-1) or No. 6 St. Laurence (11-7-3) for the sectional title Friday, May 29, and berth to the Dominican University Super-Sectional, June 2.
The Lions are trying to win sectionals for the first time since 2024 after winning their first West Suburban Conference Silver Division since 2023, when Division I Mercer recruit Michaelson and senior midfielder Carolina Capizzi were freshman starters.
The Lions finished Silver play 6-0 after beating OPRF 4-1, May 12, and Glenbard West 2-1, May 14, on a goal in the final minute of overtime by sophomore Lauren Salvino assisted by Michaelson.
“That’s probably one of my favorite parts of the whole season, probably of my high school career,” Salvino said. “We put in a lot of effort and that was one we deserved to get. It was fun to win that in double overtime and especially to win that for my team.”
Since the 5-0 loss, April 24, to top-rated Naperville Central, LTHS has won nine straight, starting with consecutive wins over area-rated Oswego, Benet and Hinsdale Central.
“It’s been a great season. Against the competition we play, it’s been fantastic,” LTHS coach Bill Lanspeary said after the 9-0 regional semifinal win over Kenwood May 20.
Downers North (6-14-2) proved much stingier than the Lions’ 3-0 victory April 21.
Freshman Abby McKenna scored first off a cross by Salvino. Michaelson added her team-high 16th goal after stealing the ball from a defender.
“The first 80 minutes I think was a little bit frustrating for our side because we had chances. Downers did a good job defensively,” Michaelson said. “We all stepped up together in the overtime. Once you get frustrated, it gets hard but we kept our composure and got it done.”
Against Glenbard West, Michaelson kept her composure after saying she put too many shots at the goalkeeper. Salvino converted the beautiful pass.
“I just remember seeing Lauren making the run and turning and chipping over the top and she just ran onto it,” Michaelson said. “It was just a great moment for our team to have that assist to Lauren’s amazing poise and control with like a minute left.”
RBHS girls soccer
The Riverside Brookfield girls soccer team’s season came down to one final battle and 2-1 overtime loss to Wheaton Academy for the 2A Wheaton Academy Regional championship Saturday morning. The No. 5-seeded Bulldogs (9-10-1) trailed and faced even more adversity early in the second half when senior starting defender Abby Ford went down with a sprained ankle within the first five minutes.
“We all talked about how we have to play for each other no matter the outcome of the game,” senior defender Audrey Raymond said. “We fought so hard to get back into the game, so it’s something I will always be proud of.”
Then came the moment the Bulldogs were searching for. With just 51 seconds left in regulation, Raymond found the back of the net to tie the game and force overtime.
“As the kick was going in, I was trying my hardest to put any pressure on the ball to get it into the net.” Raymond said.
No. 3 Wheaton Academy (13-5-5) eventually won by finding the game-winner in the opening portion of overtime on a breakaway, catching RBHS with just one defender against three forwards. The Bulldogs continued to push with Ford returning to the field during the second overtime.
RBHS coach Ivek Halic said the response from his team reflected the resilience showed all season long.
“Amazing,” Halic said. “They never hung their heads. They fought through it. It was a hell of a battle.”
For Ford, the emotional ending marked the close of a special season with a close-knit team.
“I wanted to be fully in the moment for what could be my last game. I broke down, even before the game, knowing it could be the final bus ride all together as a team, I was upset,” Ford said.
“This group has made my last year playing soccer very special. Some of the best soccer years and friendships were made together at RB.”
RBHS senior goalkeeper Maya Tennicott came up with a key first-half save while defenders Ford and Megan Tumpach helped hold the Warriors scoreless for much of the opening half. Wheaton Academy finally broke through with just 17 seconds remaining before halftime.
The defense tightened after halftime. Senior Sofia Sanchez created chances on several free kicks, including the goal. Junior Ruby Boyle also stepped up in a major way.
In the regional semifinals, RBHS defeated Hancock 2-0 in overtime May 18 on goals by freshman Lea Becker assisted by Boyle and senior Michelle Panduro.