Logan Murphy used to split time between goalkeeper and playing in the field, but she made the decision in eighth grade to move to the net full time in anticipation of beginning her high school career.
Logan, the daughter of Lincoln-Way East coach Mike Murphy, felt she had the right mentality to handle the position for the Griffins.
“I do very well under pressure and I think that helped make the decision — and I don’t like running, either,” she said with a laugh. “But I feel like I’m good under pressure and ready for those moments, and that pushed me to be a goalie.”
Logan Murphy certainly thrived in the most intense times Friday night.
The sophomore goalkeeper saved four of the five shots she faced in the shootout, which the host Griffins won 2-1 in penalty kicks for a 2-1 victory over Andrew in the Class 3A Lincoln-Way East Regional championship game.
Murphy also made 11 saves through regulation and overtime. Alina Puri scored in regulation for the Griffins (14-4-1), while Benedictine recruit Emma Lukin and Belmont commit Ava Feigl converted in the shootout.
Third-seeded Lincoln-Way East will take on sixth-seeded Sandburg (9-7-3) at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in an Andrew Sectional semifinal. The Eagles upset second-seeded Marist 1-0.
It’s the sixth straight regional championship for the Griffins.
“It feels good to keep the streak going,” Puri said. “We had 11 seniors graduate last year and I know our coach at the beginning of the year was a little bit worried.
“But everyone stepped up and it’s a total team effort.”
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Illinois-Chicago recruit Emily Crotty scored in regulation for fifth-seeded Andrew (10-9-1). Ava Karnezis netted the lone successful penalty kick, while Cassaday Heise made two saves in the shootout and eight in regulation play.
Murphy, though, had the Thunderbolts’ number in the shootout. She stopped Andrew’s first two shooters, while Lukin and Feigl scored in the first two rounds to give the Griffins a quick 2-0 lead.
“My only goal is to save the first one,” Logan said. “If you can do that, you get so much momentum. I just try to read the player, based on vibes, on where they’re going, but it’s always luck. I was glad to get to a few of those.”
Murphy actually got her hands on all five shots in the shootout as Karnezis’ hard liner deflected off her and into the net.
Dad was impressed.
“In the second half, she made two phenomenal saves and my assistant coach Karen (Iliff) went up to her before PKs and said, ‘You’re having the game of your life. You’re ready for this,’” Mike Murphy said. “Then she makes four saves and almost five in the PKs.
“For any keeper, that’s outstanding.”
When Logan and older sister Teagan — who switched to water polo in high school and has signed to play that sport at St. Mary’s — were young, Mike’s feelings about coaching them shifted.
“When they first started, I said I never wanted to coach my kids,” he said. “But we went to one club where it wasn’t a very good experience and my wife said, ‘Why don’t you coach them?’
“I’ve loved it ever since.”
Logan, who spent some time on varsity as a freshman but is the full-time starting goalkeeper for the first time this spring, has also enjoyed playing for her dad.
“It’s nice,” Logan said. “I used to play for him when I was younger and it’s great. It’s a lot of fun. He’s got a lot of coach in him when he’s at home, too, but I don’t feel like it’s any different than when I was younger.
“It’s just, ‘Have fun and do your best.’”