In eighth grade, Erin O’Connor decided to give up soccer to focus on basketball. But when she arrived at Sandburg, she was convinced to give it another go on the field.
“Some friends told me I should try out for Sandburg soccer and I was like, ‘That’s not something I’d even thought about,'” O’Connor said. “I thought I was giving it up completely, but soccer is something I’ve loved. High school soccer being in the spring didn’t really conflict with anything basketball-wise, so I decided to give it a shot.
“I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.”
The Eagles are sure glad she came back. Now a senior defender, O’Connor has been a stalwart on the back line since her freshman season as a four-year starter.
“She’s incredible,” Sandburg coach Tom Kubowicz said. “For four years, we’ve known we were set at that spot. From the first time she stepped on the field as a freshman, she showed that she was ready to play there and take on that leadership role.
“She’s been a leader all four years and she will be missed.”
O’Connor and fellow senior Rosie Richardson have formed quite a defensive duo over their Sandburg careers.
“It all started freshman year,” O’Connor said. “I didn’t think I’d even be on varsity soccer, and then me and Rosie started as the center backs.
“We’ve built an unbreakable bond. We know how to work really well with each other. We know how to pump up the team, get them ready all throughout the season.”
Last season, Sandburg gave up just four goals, won a sectional title and finished 18-2.
“Last year was really special,” O’Connor said. “It’s the farthest I’ve ever gone for high school sports, and it was amazing seeing the whole school come out to support us at games.
“It was a whole community environment. I can’t even describe how great it was.”
Sandburg (3-4) has given up 14 goals already this season, but they all came while O’Connor and several other starters were away on spring break. The Eagles lost all four games at the Wheaton North Tournament.
The Eagles’ three wins have been shutouts, and O’Connor is ready for more.
“We took a lot of pride in allowing only four goals last season and that’s why it’s frustrating that in those four games we let up 14,” O’Connor said. “Our real season starts now, though.
“We’ll turn it around. We’ve been talking about starting another shutout streak.”
Sole senior: As Mother McAuley’s only senior, Angelina Garcia is stepping up to lead the way for the Mighty Macs (4-3). She has already scored eight goals.
“Angelina’s the person who knows what it’s all about,” McAuley assistant coach Megan McCauley said. “She’s our captain. She’s our leader. The girls look up to her, and she’s showing what she can do on the field.”
The 2020 season being shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic affected the Mighty Macs in 2021 as well. The team had to quarantine for the first two weeks of the shortened season.
“Angelina is the only one who’s experienced a normal season,” McCauley said. “We let them know they finally have a stage to show what they can do and who they are. They’ve took that and they’re showing what they’re capable of.”
Righting the ship: Homewood-Flossmoor (3-4) is off to a solid start under first-year coach Ali Farkos, a program alum. The Vikings are looking to improve upon a 5-10-1 record in 2021.
Sophomore forward Dakota Dixon leads H-F with four goals.
“It’s been nothing but exciting to say the least,” Farkos said. “We’ve got an extremely young team that’s still learning game maturity. We’ve been adjusting, and I’ve been very impressed our girls have been ready to learn every day.”
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.