Lincoln-Way East goalkeeper Lindsay Fortier’s junior season ended on the first day of tryouts last spring when she tore the ACL in her right knee.
Fortier took on a coaching role instead, but now she’s back for her senior year and coming up big in the net for the Griffins.
“It’s amazing to be back,” Fortier said. “It’s like I never left. The love of the game is there every game because you can’t take it for granted. I’m so glad to be on the field.”
Fortier made five saves and recorded a shutout Tuesday night as Lincoln-Way East won the penalty-kick shootout 4-3 for a 1-0 victory over Andrew in the Windy City Ram Classic semifinals at Reavis.
The Griffins (4-0) will take on Lincoln-Way Central (4-0), a 1-0 winner over Glenbrook South, in the championship game of the 32-tournament at 6 p.m. Thursday.
Ellie Feigl, Thea Gerfen, Cami Butler and Olivia Desjardins scored in the shootout for Lincoln-Way East.
Emily Tobin, Leah Crotty and Maria Perez scored shootout goals for Andrew (3-1). Adelynn Kreydich made five saves in regulation and overtime.
After suffering the injury last season, Fortier stayed very involved with the team.
“I love my sport and I love my teammates, and I wanted to still be part of the team and surrounded by the atmosphere of soccer,” she said. “I wanted to help my team off the field even when I couldn’t help my team on the field.”
Her biggest role was helping Mattea Arroyo, who was a freshman when she took over for Fortier and had a strong season.
“Confidence is a big part of being a goalkeeper,” Fortier said. “As a freshman, it’s intimidating coming up to play varsity, so I just tried to boost her confidence and motivate her to know that she can do anything.
“She is such a skillful goalkeeper that it was so easy to teach her. I’m so glad it worked out.”
Fortier has been playing strong in her comeback.
On Tuesday, she made a big save in the 30th minute to deny Taylor London, who had a good look from in front of the net off a cross from Anna Dennis.
Fortier made three saves in the second half, all on shots from distance.
“She’s a captain, and if I had to pick a No. 1 captain, it’s her,” Lincoln-Way East coach Mike Murphy said. “The kids look up to her. They understand that what she did last year — to stay with the team and train our keeper, who was a freshman — was such a great thing for the team.
“It stunk when the injury happened because she’s one of the nicest kids. For her to come back and be able to play at this level, it’s heartwarming.”
In the shootout, Lincoln-Way East’s first shooter missed, but the Griffins responded by making the next four.
Andrew had two shooters fire off the mark.
Desjardins delivered in the fifth round, scoring on a shot to the top left corner, to put Lincoln-Way East ahead for good.
“The last PK I took, I missed it, so I was really scared that I was going to miss again, but I just went in and gave it my all and just took it,” Desjardins said.
Desjardins, Maggie Haverstock, Mia Hedrick and Brianna Meehan led the Lincoln-Way East defense to the shutout.
The Griffins are happy to have their leader back in the net.
“She was like a third coach last year,” Desjardins said of Fortier. “It’s great to have her back. She’s a great player.”
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.