Senior outside defender Harrison Kittridge usually helps the unbeaten Lyons Township High School boys soccer team keep other teams from finding the net. In the biggest game so far this season, Kittridge found the net for the first time Sunday – even when looking directly at the sun.  

“It felt amazing. I didn’t really have any celebrations planned,” Kittridge joked. “I wasn’t expecting to score, especially two goals.”  

Kittridge’s first two goals this season helped the Lions defeat previously unbeaten St. Laurence 3-0 in La Grange in the BodyArmor championship showdown between the two top-rated Chicago area teams by ChicagolandSoccer.org. 

“We won BodyArmor last year but it feels different this year. We had more competition and it felt like we earned it,” said Kittridge, the tournament MVP who scored off a rebound and beautifully headed home Rocco King’s corner kick. “It’s been a great season. We haven’t really had many ups and downs. I hope we can keep it going for playoffs.” 

The No. 2-ranked Lions (13-0-1) led 15-10 in shots (5-5 on goal) and 5-2 in corner kicks. 

The victory had extra meaning because LTHS lost to the Vikings (17-1-2) in last year’s Class 3A sectional semifinals 1-0. St. Laurence finished second in state. That’s the Lions’ last loss. They’ve won 11 straight with nine shutouts since a 1-1 tie with New Trier, Aug. 29. 

“This is the best win we’ve had this year,” LTHS coach Paul Labbato said. “That Lane Tech win on Homecoming was great (2-1, Sept. 25) and they’re really good but (St. Laurence) is great.” 

Kittridge first scored by rebounding Julian Avdiu’s shot with 33:57 left in the first half. The Vikings began pressuring the latter part of the half, but the Lions regained control in the second half. With 15:15 remaining and the sun setting, Kittridge was looking west yet somehow deposited King’s right-side corner kick. Avdiu then scored with 2:42 left off a left-wing cross from Cormac Moran. 

“(King’s corner kick) felt perfect. It came off the head perfectly,” Kittridge said. “You know, (the sun) kind of was in my eyes. But it just worked out. I did (see the ball).”    

Labbato said King usually doesn’t take corner kicks but the three starting midfielders that usually do were on the sidelines preparing to return for the final 12-minute push. 

“Especially from that side, we’ll usually use a left-footed kicker,” said the right-footed King. “The past couple of days at practice, I’ve actually been taking a couple of corners, just in case. I don’t know how Harry saw it but perfect header, perfect placement.”  

The tall Kittridge and senior Owen Kachmarik headed and cleared several potential dangerous balls for goalie Wolfie Ketterling along with senior central defender Ari Chen.  

“You wake up St. Laurence after that first goal and they woke up. Hats off to our defense, winning and winning (balls) over and over again,” Labbato said. “Ari was a difference maker. (Kittridge also) doesn’t come off the field. He’s probably one of the top defenders in the state that doesn’t get probably the accolades that he deserves. Our whole back line deserves a ton.”   

LTHS girls volleyball 

The Lions received an opportunity to play among the state’s and nation’s best with an invite to the ASICS Challenge hosted by Mother McAuley. They proved they’re right there by taking sixth Saturday with a 3-2 overall record. LTHS (22-3) was the third-highest finishing Illinois team behind champion Mother McAuley and Marist, also both ranked ahead of them by IlPrepVolleyball. Senior Taylor Carroll was named to the all-tournament team. 

“I just hope that the team takes that we deserve to be where we are right now and that the hard work we put in this season paid off,” said senior starting outside hitter Blake Spreyne. “How well we did can prove how well we can do in the playoffs and get us to where we want to be. I feel like the high level of volleyball we’re at now has allowed us to build our confidence.” 

The Lions lost to Papillion-LaVista South (Papillion, Neb.) for fifth 25-18, 25-20 after losing to top-seeded, nationally-ranked and tournament runner-up Assumption (Ky.) in the Gold bracket quarterfinals. The Lions took the first set but lost 20-25, 25-16, 25-20. 

“It’s incredible to be at this tournament to play some nationally ranked teams and to play with those nationally ranked teams,” LTHS coach Jill Bober said. “I’m proud of the way we played. Am I little disappointed that two of our three losses are from this tournament? No. They’re against good teams.” 

LTHS beat Divine Savior Holy Angels from Milwaukee 25-20, 25-21 Saturday in the Gold consolation semifinals. In Friday’s pool play, the Lions went 2-0 by beating perennial Nebraska power Skutt Catholic in three sets and Illinois power St. Francis in two. Saturday marked the Lions’ first losses since the two-set home defeat to Glenbard West, Sept. 8. 

“We beat some of the nation’s best and hung with some even better ones. I think that it’s proven to ourselves just how great a team we can be,” said senior back row starter Avery Lee. “If we go out and play our game, we can beat anyone. This weekend has really boosted our confidence.”