The annual Kick 4 A Cure breast cancer awareness game between Lincoln-Way East and Lincoln-Way West held significant meaning for the Griffins’ Ava Feigl.
Feigl, a junior defender, paid tribute before the game to her grandmother, Betty Lingle, a cancer survivor.
“It was great,” Feigl said. “It’s definitely an extra-special night, knowing my grandma fought through that and being able to help give back to other people who are fighting it and who we want to have the same chance to survive.
“It’s a great night for the community and it definitely lights an extra fire in us as players to get the job done on the field.”
Feigl definitely did her part Tuesday night. The Belmont recruit scored the lone goal and led a dominant defensive performance as host Lincoln-Way East held on for a 1-0 SouthWest Suburban Conference win over Lincoln-Way West in Frankfort.
Sunny Swierczewski notched the assist for the Griffins (4-1-1, 1-0), while Logan Murphy made three saves for the shutout. Feigl, Lorigan Wrzesinski, Leila Othman and Emma Lukin led the back line in front of Murphy.
Skyler Zahorik finished with three saves for Lincoln-Way West (6-2, 0-1).
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Feigl, meanwhile, scored her first goal of the season with 14:03 left in the game when she headed in Swierczewski’s corner kick.
“Playing center back, scoring goals isn’t necessarily my job on the field,” Feigl said. “But whenever the team can get us a corner, I love to get into the box and have a chance to score.
“I was hungry for the ball there and was able to put it in.”
The truth is, Feigl is being asked to do many jobs this spring. She’s one of just two returning starters — along with fellow defender Lukin — from last year’s team that won a sectional title.
Lincoln-Way East coach Mike Murphy has given Feigl the freedom to insert herself into the offense when possible.
“Ava is our best player, hands down,” Mike Murphy said. “Nobody’s going to question that. She’s our center back, but I told her that sometimes I need to move her up because if we don’t have anything going, she’s the catalyst for us. She’ll take all our free kicks.
“I want to utilize her every way we can.”
Logan Murphy, Mike’s daughter, is certainly glad to have Feigl helping cut down the amount of shots she has to face.
“Her communication is huge,” Logan said. “She keeps everything in the back very organized. Then she just goes hard after every ball.
“If she goes up for a ball, I know I can count on her winning it and I can count on her keeping it.”
Feigl’s goal made the Griffins victorious on a night that went beyond soccer. It was the 17th annual Kick 4 A Cure game between the two programs, raising money for the Silver Cross Foundation.
“We’ve donated over $30,000 over the years and they just sent me a letter saying they were going to put a plaque out saying we were one of the contributors,” Mike Murphy said. “It’s a great cause and that’s what this evening is about.”
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At the same time, Feigl has stepped up as the leader for the Griffins. She’s a captain, a position Murphy confirmed he rarely entrusts to a junior.
“I was definitely ready to take on that role this year,” Feigl said. “We’re kind of the underdogs this year. We’re building into a new team. It’s definitely been a challenge but it’s also a great opportunity for us to build something special here.
“We’ve taken a few big steps so far and I think we’re going to have a great rest of the season.”