Lange’s early spark lifts Lyons

Emily Lange’s high school career got off to an inauspicious start when the Lyons freshman forward broke her tailbone in the first game of the season.

“It was pretty bad and not what I wanted to have happen in my first game,” Lange said. “It felt like it was very slow to heal, but eventually I got back to playing after about three weeks.”

Since then, she’s been making up for lost time.

Lange scored her 10th goal of the season 47 seconds into the first half to spark No. 5 Lyons to a 5-0 victory Tuesday over Hinsdale Central in a sectional semifinal at York.

Lange also has three assists on the season as she’s emerged as an attacking option for Lyons coach Bill Lanspeary.

“She’s very athletic and she can finish, that’s a pretty good combination to have up top,” Lanspeary said. “As the year has gone on she’s just got more comfortable playing at this level and with this group of kids and she’s just been getting better.”

Lange set off the Lions’ five-goal outburst when ran onto a pass from Emma Meyering and split two defenders before sliding the ball past Red Devils goalie Riley Glenn (three saves).

“I play with a lot of really great players, so I’m getting a lot of good chances,” Lange said. “[Playing as a freshman on varsity] was different at first, but I feel like I’ve grown a lot as a player.”

Lauren Moberg scored twice and Abbie Pasquinelli and defender Sarah Mazur each added a goal for Lyons (20-4-1), which was one win away from making the state tournament last season – losing to eventual Class 3A champion Waubonsie Valley in the supersectional.

Ari Kowalski and Coco Corrigan had assists for the Lions to compliment strong performances from senior standouts Kelsey Holbert and Elise Gordon.

“We have a good group of girls and were excited to make it as far as we can,” Moberg said. “We had a good regular season with a tough loss to York at the end of it. So we’re looking to play well to make it the supersectionals again and maybe finally get to state this year.”

Kate Shea cleared a shot off the line for Hinsdale Central (10-12-2).

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