The deeper Lincoln-Way Central got into the playoffs last season on its way to a third-place finish in Class 3A, the more excitement built around the school.
Alex Lehnert, who chose to play exclusively with her club team, watched from the stands and realized she was missing out. This season, the Indiana State recruit joined the Knights.
“When they were at state, everybody was going crazy at school,” Lehnert said. “It was a really exciting time for them and I wanted to be a part of it.
“So, hopefully this year, we can make it back to state.”
Lehnert certainly enjoyed being at the center of the excitement Thursday night.
The junior forward scored the clinching penalty kick as the Knights won the shootout 5-3 for a 1-0 victory over Lockport in the Windy City Ram Classic championship game at Reavis.
Christine Erdman, Abby Sudkamp, Lila Hadley and Madisyn Kenworthy also scored in the shootout for the Knights (5-0), who won their second straight title in the 32-team tournament. Sofia Jumes recorded the shutout.
Heather Canny, Emma Czech and Natalie Zodrow scored in the shootout for Lockport (4-1), while sophomore goalkeeper Liz Rock kept the Knights off the scoreboard for 80 minutes.
Lehnert said the adjustment to high school soccer has presented some challenges, noting the busy practice schedule.
“It’s a lot different from club,” Lehnert said. “I wasn’t expecting it to be every day, but I love being around all my teammates. I’m glad I did high school this year.
“It’s been a very exciting time and experience so far.”
Lehnert buried a shot into the top left side of the net for the clinching goal.
“I’ve never had that moment before,” she said. “It was kind of nerve-wracking, but I was just thinking in my head, ‘Pretend like no one’s around you, pretend it’s just the goalkeeper and yourself, and just think about how you’re going to get the ball in the back of the net.’
“I just wanted to be able to run to my teammates and be excited. I wanted that moment. That was a moment I’ll never forget. I loved that moment.”
Jumes had no doubt Lehnert would deliver — just as Lehnert has lived up to her reputation when she took the field with the Knights.
“When I knew she was going up for that last PK, I had full confidence in her,” Jumes said. “I was like, ‘She’s making this.’ Every day in practice, she makes her shots.
“The first time I saw her in practice, I was like, ‘Oh my God, she lives up to her word. She’s so good.’”
Jumes also got plenty of help from a defense led by Erdman, Sudkamp, Brittney Veugeler and Chloe Grundhofer as the Knights recorded their fifth straight shutout.
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Jumes had to come up huge one time in the second half, leaping to knock TCU recruit Bella Diorio’s shot off the crossbar and out of danger.
Lockport, which had a huge defensive effort from Czech, Brinlee McNabb, Kaylin Klutcharch and Meghan Mack, was left frustrated by near misses. Diorio also hit the post on a shot.
“There’s plenty to build on,” Lockport coach Todd Elkei said. “We did a lot of good things. It’s a frustrating game sometimes where you can do everything right and you still don’t score.”
The Knights, meanwhile, left with another trophy. And Lehnert got her moment.
“Alex works tirelessly,” Lincoln-Way Central coach Sean Fahey said. “She was on an island a lot in this game because we had to commit some people back. They had a couple very talented defensive players on her. To be able to settle herself and finish that one on the spot was awesome.
“I’m super happy for her.”
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
