Lane shutout secures 10th consecutive city title

By Dominic Scianna

As soccer scores go, a 5-0 win is a big margin and one would think the game was not much of a contest – but in the Chicago Public League Girls Soccer Varsity City Championship this past Wednesday, May 14, there was nothing short of excitement and intrigue between Amundsen and Lane Tech.

Lane has been the hunted team all season and its 5-0 win over Amundsen raised its impressive season record to 17-2-2. The victory was the Champions’ unprecedented tenth straight city title.

The underdog Vikings (9-6-1) held the high-power Champions attack to just three goals at the halftime break, but couldn’t push through with a host of chances to sneak one past senior goalkeeper Cynthia Waller.

“The Amundsen team is fantastic and they have a ton of talent,” Lane coach Sean Harkness said. “They play really well together and are an incredibly impressive team. The game was definitely closer than the scoreline indicated.”

The 10-straight titles has been impressive and certainly dynasty-like in Lane’s approach each season that starts with a humbleness and preparation.

“I think we don’t expect it, to be honest. We play each game hard and give 100 percent. That’s our mentality going into each game knowing it’s not going to be easy,” said Lane’s four-year starting forward, and leading goal scorer, Grace Carman, who also scored in the city final.

The remarkable achievement is not lost on Harkless who continues to marvel at this team’s tenacity and willingness to put in the hard work.

“A lot of our success is the daily intensity in practice. The girls bring it every single day and push each other, and that’s the competitiveness that sets a standard for our team,” Harkness noted. “The girls watch a ton of film (on their play and their opponents) and want to get better. Plus, they’re so driven to win that it carries over onto the field.”

Junior Jackson Caffey led the way for Lane with two goals and an assist to go with strong performances by freshman Rebecca LoVerde, and seniors Luzmarie Razo and Olive Tinucci, who had a goal apiece in the win.

But, maybe the most important play of the game came midway through the first half.

Waller made an unbelievable save diving backwards as her momentum carried her over the goal line, but she miraculously was able to keep the ball from going over the goal line to preserve a 2-0 lead.

“Our defense slowed the shot down (from Amundsen sophomore forward Marlowe Buchanan) and I had time to get there but I kept sliding into the net but kept my arms forward to keep the ball from going in,” said Waller about her big save.

Buchanan had several chances as the lead attacker to go with key performances by goalkeeper Helena Shingler, defender Olivia Chier, and forward Raisa Yuille for the Vikings in defeat.

NORTHSIDE GIRLS SOCCER TAKE WINDY CITY CUP IN WIN OVER HUBBARD

Senior forward Phoebe Phonwiang was emotional after her Northside team captured the Windy City Cup on May 14 at Rockne Stadium in a tough 1-0 win over Hubbard.

“I was counting down the minutes and I couldn’t believe it (when the horn sounded to end the game). It’s been a long four years and I’m so glad to have done it with this team and been a part of it,” Phonwiang said.

Mustangs goalkeeper Angie Vasquez pitched a shutout and got the game-winning assist after her free kick from 40 yards out hit the top crossbar after hitting off Hubbard goalkeeper Jocelyn Segura’s hands, but Phonwiang was there to head the rebound in for the only goal of the game.

The defense was also a key to victory for Northside led by the senior leadership of Allie Boubik. Coach Robert Albritton’s Northside squad finished the regular season with a 10-5-2 record, and a 4-0-1 CPL conference finish.

Hubbard played valiantly in the loss and had its chances as Segura kept the game close with some key saves the entire contest.

Coach Franco Ocampo’s talented team finished the regular season as Windy City Cup runners-up, as the Greyhounds finished with a 7-3 record and a 4-1 mark in CPL conference play.

Photos by Hannah Henderson/OSA

Varsity City Championship Photos