As far as forwards go, junior Lucy Burk breaks the mold for Metea Valley.
Even though she can score goals, the Northern Michigan recruit is the rare attacking player who’s actually more dangerous up top as a playmaker than as a finisher.
“I honestly don’t know where that came from,” Burk said. “I think I just figured it out after my freshman year. In the past, I tried to start wide, then cut to finish in the middle.
“Last year, I realized I wanted to put my teammates in a better position to score.”
Burk’s versatility, athleticism and creativity proved invaluable last season for the Mustangs, capped by a 1-0 shootout win over Barrington in the Class 3A state championship game.
In a historic season, Burk scored seven goals and produced a team-high 16 assists for Metea (22-2-1), providing a relief valve to a pair of players who are now seniors.
Jordan Lange, a North Central College-bound midfielder, scored 17 goals with eight assists. Tyra King, a forward committed to Northern Illinois, had 20 goals and four assists.
Now, Burk, Lange and King lead six returning starters for the Mustangs, who look to answer without ambiguity the existential question confronting all defending state champions.
What can be done as an encore?
“We go into the season with the same approach or mentality that we want to finish on top,” Burk said. “We are training as if we are going to finish on top and go for the best.
“Last year, we showed what underdogs are capable of doing. Now, we are going to have a huge target on our backs.”
That target will be there because Metea went undefeated against in-state competition.
Making it work was Burk from the right forward position. Her top speed and ability to create space proved to be an ideal outlet for Lange and the perfect complement to King.
According to Metea coach Chris Whaley, Burk plays the game with an admirable innocence.
“She brings a childlike personality to the team,” Whaley said of Burk. “She doesn’t overthink or overcomplicate things. She has a simple and pure love of the game.”
Burk, meanwhile, pointed out how the Mustangs’ three offensive leaders also have an ideal feel and awareness of the other’s presence.
“Everything has really carried over from last year,” she said. “We have been scrimmaging with Jordan playing the ball out wide and then I will cross it to Tyra or back to Jordan.”
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Burk grew up in Oak Park, where she had her earliest organized connection with the game. Moving to the Aurora-Naperville soccer mecca at age 7 expedited her development.
“I felt like once I came out here, I surrounded myself with players who could make me better,” Burk said.
That feeling is contagious, senior defender Kaylee Bannack confirmed.
“She is probably the most selfless player I know when it comes to letting her teammates take opportunities toward goal,” Bannack said. “She had a crazy assist total just from making smart and humble decisions to give the ball to someone in a better position.”
Burk was also a starter in basketball, toggling between point guard and shooting guard. She averaged 6.8 points, 1.9 assists and 1.7 rebounds.
Chemistry is a connective thread of both sports, bound not in just the thrill and fun of competition but through being an unselfish and thoughtful player.
“She really values relationships,” Whaley said of Burk. “She is just happy to get to play and be a part of something that brings her joy and to the people around her.
“She is always smiling and enjoying herself.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.