Metea Valley’s Tyra King just had a week she’s not likely to forget.
She scored both goals Monday for the Mustangs in a 2-1 DuPage Valley Conference victory over district rival Neuqua Valley.
The junior forward achieved the perfect bookend by scoring three goals Sunday during a 4-2 victory over Maine South in the BodyArmour Sports Series at Lyons.
“Seeing good results just makes you want to keep going harder and harder,” she said.
King, who has scored 12 goals and added an assist this season for the Mustangs (12-2-1, 2-0), has drawn recruiting interest from Missouri, Cincinnati, Oregon State and Valparaiso.
Soccer, family and a fiercely competitive mentality have all come together in her quest to be one of the best players in her class.
King grew up in the suburbs of San Diego. She spent time in Dallas before arriving at Metea for the start of her freshman year.
She’s the youngest of four daughters. Her oldest sister, Jordyn, is a senior defender at Eastern Washington.
“When my oldest sister started playing, the next oldest one followed her,” Tyra said. “And it just went from there.”
The pandemic season deprived her of a chance to play with her second-oldest sister, Jaelyn, who is now an college art student in Chicago.
Her nearest sister, Justyce, is a senior defender for Metea.
“She is competitive on the field and at home,” Justyce said of Tyra. “She is always trying to one-up somebody.
“On the field, she can be kind of shy. Outside she is actually outgoing and a funny person, and you wouldn’t think she would be that way.”
Having her sister around helps.
“I love playing with Justyce because we connect really well, especially off the field,” Tyra said. “We play together very well, and sometimes I get the ball from her.”
The 5-foot-9 King combines ideal size with a physical style and a breathtaking athleticism.
“I like to play pretty fast and forward,” Tyra said. “I like to play quick with one or two touches and go to the goal. When I have the shot open, I like to take it.”
As a newcomer who lost her freshman year, King was a bit of an unknown factor in her varsity debut as a sophomore.
She immediately made difference by scoring a team-best 15 goals and contributing seven assists for a Class 3A regional champion.
“I’d hate to be a defender against her because she is just relentless,” Metea coach Chris Whaley said. “One of the things people first notice about her is just how hard she works.
“She has a nose for the goal. She just drives at you and punishes you.”
King also provides a release valve for standout midfielder Jordan Lange, another top junior.
“Tyra always has grit,” Lange said. “She is always striving to be the best player on the field. She always wants to score. She is so strong, and I love playing with her.”
Metea has upcoming conference showdowns with nationally ranked Naperville North and Naperville Central.
The Mustangs have lost a combined five one-goal games to those programs, including Naperville Central in a sectional semifinal.
“I like playing really good teams because it makes me work harder,” King said.
Tyra is named for her father, Ty, who had a competitive background running track. Her mother, Tiffany, played softball.
“A lot of the game is personal to me,” she said. “I want to see myself succeed and also my parents happy because they put so much time, effort and money into letting me play and enjoy the game.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.