Shea Krakowski knows her mother and her older sister have earned trophies while playing for the Libertyville girls soccer team. Nothing else motivates the freshman midfielder to win quite like that.
In fact, Shea Krakowski said her family’s success “makes me want it even more.” It doesn’t daunt her.
“I never back down from a challenge,” she said.
Shea Krakowski, one of the top underclassmen in the state, certainly hasn’t backed down in her first high school season.
Playing with her older sister Jenna, a senior midfielder, Shea Krakowski has 10 goals and three assists as the North Suburban Conference champion Wildcats (12-2-2) enter the postseason with a 10-game unbeaten streak.
“Shea is a tough girl, like her sister,” Libertyville coach Daniel DePaz said. “Shea’s fearless and has strength. When she goes into a tackle with another player in a 50-50 (situation), she’s going to come out on top.”
With the Krakowski sisters, the Wildcats will try to come out on top in the postseason for the first time since 2001 and for the third time in program history.
Their mother, Nikki, was a forward on the first state championship team in 1991. There are regular reminders of her legacy, Jenna Krakowski said, noting “the banner in the stadium, the picture in the west gym and the Hall of Fame glass collection.”
Jenna Krakowski played an instrumental role as a sophomore during Libertyville’s run to the Class 3A third-place trophy in 2021. She joined the team after playing only club soccer during her freshman year.
Shea Krakowski, knowing she had a chance to play with her big sister, made a different decision.
“I’ve looked up to her since I was a little girl,” Shea Krakowski said. “We have never played together on the same team. I wanted to have the experience of being a part of something bigger in your community, playing for your high school. I watched my sister and mom play for the town and community. It pushed me to work harder to play in high school.”
Jenna Krakowski, who has five goals and six assists this season, has recorded an assist on several of Shea Krakowski’s goals. Nikki Krakowski, whose husband, Kevin, was a football player and wrestler at Libertyville, said seeing their daughters on the field together is a memorable experience.
“As parents, it’s been so fun watching both of them on the field,” Nikki Krakowski. “I think both of them are proud to go to the same high school I went to and represent the varsity program. I think of that every time I sit in that stadium. I’m so proud of them.”
Jenna Krakowski said she’s also proud to be a team captain in her final season of competitive soccer. The Wildcats, who have won five games in a row, are seeded second in the Class 3A Glenbrook North Sectional and will play 15th-seeded Waukegan in the Glenbrook South Regional semifinals at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
“I definitely took it upon myself to be the face of the program, helping to bring all the levels together,” Jenna Krakowski said.
Her effort has helped Shea Krakowski adjust to varsity soccer, according to DePaz.
“I think Jenna is a fantastic older sister and role model for Shea to follow in her footsteps,” DePaz said. “Shea had an easier transition than the other freshmen because of her sister. She already knew a number of players and was more comfortable. Plus, her ability to play soccer translated to the varsity.”
That has translated into a successful season for Shea and Jenna Krakowski and the Wildcats.
“My sister is my best friend, and playing in the midfield, you can see our chemistry,” Shea Krakowski said. “When we are on the field, we hold each other accountable and always make each other better. It’s been a special season playing with my sister.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.