Naperville North’s Lucy Iverson plans to study graphic design in college.
“I like being creative,” Iverson said. “I really like drawing — any type of art.”
While Iverson has plenty of original ideas, the senior defender is following the template made by her older brother, Colin, on the soccer field.
Colin, who is three years older, was a starting center back who helped lead Naperville North to three straight state championships. The 2018 Naperville Sun Boys Soccer Player of the Year, he currently plays at Carthage.
Lucy didn’t intend to follow exactly in her brother’s footsteps.
“I actually had played forward up until eighth grade,” Iverson said. “Then I switched clubs and the coaches put me back there. I just fell in love with it.
“That’s what my brother had always played. I thought it was a cool position for him, so it was fun to start digging into his role and learning from him.”
The Calvin-bound Iverson has been a diligent understudy for the Huskies, who beat Barrington 2-1 in double overtime Saturday to win the prestigious Naperville Invitational.
The 6-foot-1 Iverson, who has the same type of lanky yet strong frame as Colin, has modeled her style of play after him.
“Colin left his heart out on the field every game and really showed me the dedication to win and be a good player for North,” Iverson said. “So much of my play I’ve learned from him, especially in the air.”
Both Iversons are known for their airborne prowess at both ends of the field. Lucy, who has three goals and six assists, is always a threat to score on headers.
“They both found a way to be tough in the air,” Naperville Central coach Ed Watson said. “It helps to be tall, but there’s a lot of tall kids who aren’t very good in the air.
“There’s a knack to it.”
Naperville North coach Steve Goletz said that knack is not easy to master.
“It’s a hard piece to judge a ball,” Goletz said. “Lucy consistently does it, puts herself in harm’s way, and she’s such a big piece of the puzzle. She’s a fantastic, all-around kid.”
The top-ranked Huskies (14-1-2) have allowed only five goals this season. Iverson’s presence looms large.
Junior defender Maggie Fizgerald, who scored the winning goal against Barrington on a throw-in from Norah Barry, looks up to Iverson.
“She’s like a tower,” Fitzgerald said. “Every time she goes up for the ball, she gets her head on it, and if she doesn’t, then we’re all ready if the ball comes behind her.
“But that rarely happens. I’m so confident in her.”
Iverson patrols the field with a quiet confidence. Colin has attended several of her games this season, and while his cheering helps, she said his influence isn’t necessarily verbal.
“It’s more of what he’s shown me,” Iverson said. “He has shown me the mental toughness on the field and his work rate. He’s going to battle until the last minute.
“That influenced and inspired me.”
Goletz, who also is an assistant for the boys team, has enjoyed coaching both players.
“The Iversons are a great family,” Goletz said. “The kids are built on just working hard, doing everything the team needs to win.”
There has been a lot of winning.
Iverson’s mother, Laura, coached Naperville North’s boys volleyball team to the 1997 state title. Their father, Dan, has led the girls cross country team to nine state championships.
Lucy ran cross country all four years for her dad and was a member of the 2019 state title team, although she did not run at state.
Winning a soccer state championship would be the perfect ending to her high school career.
“It would be phenomenal to do that,” Iverson said. “All we can do is just give it our all and see where that takes us.
“Hopefully, it will be to state, but we can’t ever be disappointed if we give our best.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.