Lake Forest senior midfielder Madelyn Cummins is no stranger to tense playoff games.
A four-year starter, Cummins helped the Scouts advance to a Class 2A supersectional when she was a freshman.
More Top Picks Best Mattress Toppers For Chronic Back Pain
So when Cummins was awarded a penalty kick during the second half of the scoreless Lake Zurich Sectional championship game on Friday, she was prepared for the moment.
“We’ve been practicing PKs a lot, so I felt pretty prepared,” Cummins said. “We lost last year in regionals on PKs, so that’s big pressure. You have to get used to that pressure. Stepping up there is not comfortable, but obviously that’s something you have to do to win the game.”
Cummins delivered, converting the penalty kick in the 55th minute to lift the third-seeded Scouts to a 1-0 victory over fifth-seeded Lake Zurich.
Lake Forest (15-7), which also defeated the Bears (16-6-1) by one goal in a North Suburban Conference game, will play Crystal Lake Central (19-2) in the Lake Zurich Supersectional at 6 p.m. Monday. That’s the team that beat the Scouts in the supersectional in 2023.
“My freshman year, we lost a tough game, so we’re hoping to get past the supersectional,” Cummins said. “It’s such an honor to advance. I was so happy and had so many thoughts going through my mind after the game. Everyone played their hearts out. We worked hard.”
On Cummins’ team-high 14th goal of the season, Lake Zurich senior goalkeeper Kelly Nelson got both hands on the shot to the upper-left corner but couldn’t secure it.
Several minutes later, Cummins was hit in the nose by the ball and had to leave the game.
“I was exhausted,” she said. “But I was ready for that PK. I wanted it.”
Lake Forest coach Ty Stuckslager also wanted Cummins to take it after speedy freshman forward Avery MacArthur was tripped in the box.
“Maddy is a competitor,” Stuckslager said. “She is deceiving with her speed and has a great first touch and understands what has to be done. She is working in these situations, and toward the end of the game, she exhibited the most poise she had all game.”
Lake Forest senior midfielder Tess Uihlein, a captain like Cummins, said she wasn’t surprised Cummins scored on the penalty kick.
“Maddy dictates the whole field, and her ability to perform under pressure is like nothing I’ve seen,” Uihlein said. “Her sinking that PK in a moment we’ve been working toward for four years showed that today.”
More Top Picks Nanan Healthy Faucet
Cummins has faced additional challenges during her varsity career. Right before her sophomore season, she suffered a broken bone in her left arm for the second time in a little more than two years.
“I had to get a big surgery and was out for six months,” Cummins said. “I was super behind, and it was such a mental block for me. I was wearing a cast for the start of my sophomore season. I was scared to injure it again, but also my skill went away from being out so much.
“But last year toward the end of my junior season was the first time I felt fully back. It took me a long time to fully get over the fear and get my skill back. I feel this is one of the best seasons I’ve played in soccer.”
Lake Forest senior midfielder Anna Jasper said she has admired Cummins’ resilience.
“Maddy goes to every single ball and has the most competitive spirit of anyone I know, and that’s because of her determination,” Jasper said. “She just wants to win and motivates the team to win. She’s a great teammate.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.