Girls Soccer: ‘We knew it was game time’ Jordan Lee-Caracci, unbeaten Lyons rally past Sandburg in second half to head back to state

BURBANK – With one half left to earn a trip to state, Lyons found itself in a position it had not been in all season.

The undefeated Lions had not trailed the entire year until Sandburg scored late in the first half of Monday’s Class 3A Reavis Supersectional.

“In a snap, we needed to realize that we were still in it,” Lyons senior Jordan Lee-Caracci said. “There were 40 minutes left. We had to give it all we got and that’s what we did. We knew it was game time. We put our heads down and we went to goal, and we won.”

Lyons rallied with a pair of second-half goals as Lee-Caracci provided the game-winner in a 2-1 victory over the Eagles.

The Lions (19-0) will make their return to state after finishing fourth in 2019. Last season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Lyons is set to take on the winner of Tuesday’s match between Barrington and St. Charles East in a semifinal at 4:30 p.m. Friday at Hoffman Estates.

“We showed how we work as a team,” Lee-Caracci said. “I’m so excited. It feels amazing to be going back to state with this team.”

Sandburg (18-2) struck in the 36th minute when Emily Ibrahim made a strong run down the right side of the field and played a pass to the middle, where Ashley Sak slammed it into the back of the net.

It was just the second goal Lyons had allowed all season.

“The goal they had was a great goal, but it wasn’t like they had a ton of chances,” Lyons coach Bill Lanspeary said. “So, we’re like, ‘Look, it’s not like we can’t get out and get one back. We’re creating opportunities. Let’s keep going and see what we can generate.’”

The momentum flipped just over five minutes into the second half when Lyons defender Kate Fulscher played a long pass ahead. Sandburg goalkeeper Molly Fischer attempted to beat Lee-Caracci to the loose ball in the box, but Fischer collided with Lee-Caracci and the Lions were awarded a penalty kick.

Eleanor Musgrove converted to tie it with 34 minutes, 47 seconds to go.

“Usually it’s pretty stressful, but I’ve been practicing them a lot lately,” Musgrove said of the penalty kick. “It’s all about confidence. You have to have that practice mentality and just get up there and go for it. There was a little bit of anxiety. It’s practice makes perfect on those, though.

“That got our team going. We felt like we had the momentum to get another one. We don’t want to go into overtime or PKs, so it was a whole team effort and we all gave it our all to get that second goal by Jordan.”

With just over 20 minutes to go, Lee-Caracci took a pass from Rielly Chesna on the right side of the field, made a quick move into the box and ripped a shot on goal. Fischer got her hand on the ball, but it trickled over the goal line to give Lyons the lead.

“I cut in, hit it with my left foot and it slowly went in,” Lee-Caracci said. “I saw it roll in, but I could not tell you how it all happened. I forgot. It was just all a flash.

“It was this huge, ‘Oh my goodness.’ It was a sigh of relief. Then the fans are amazing. Hearing them make so much noise fired us up and we all felt it.”

Lyons held on from there, the comeback keeping the perfect season alive.

“It’s fantastic,” Lanspeary said. “I’m so happy for these kids. It’s a special group and to get here, it’s just awesome for them.”