Just like a hockey coach, Bill Lanspeary is waiting for his gut to tell him which of his three Lyons soccer goalkeepers will become his No. 1 starter.
Lyons, the defending West Suburban Silver champion, has used three keepers in its first two games. The team played to a scoreless tie Saturday at St. Ignatius in a nonconference match. The Lions have yet to allow a goal yet.
The Lyons coach started senior Sam Kopping, then used junior Molly Henderson in the second half.
The Wolfpack (1-1-1) took their only shots of the game in the first half on a direct free kick by Caroline Coughlan and another attempt by Jill Porretta.
Lyons (1-0-1) dominated but could not put the ball in the net. Emily Lange’s shot with 18 minutes, 54 seconds to go in the second half was batted away by St. Ignatius keeper Michell Loyo. Grace Salvino’s left-footed liner scooted past the goal and went wide right 11 minutes later.
“I am giving each (goalkeeper) an opportunity,” Lanspeary said. “We will not go through the season on a rotation.”
His dilemma was created by the graduation of two-year starter Maggie Orlowski. She replaced Renata Butikas, who had tended goal for three years.
Sophomore Lida Breen started the first game, a 2-0 win over Waubonsie Valley Thursday. She played in the sophomore game Saturday.
“We knew coming in (to the season) that we would all be on edge at first,” Henderson said. “We knew (coach) had to figure it out. All three of us expected that from coach.”
Henderson has come back from serious injuries. She had surgery in August to repair a torn meniscus in each knee. She said she feels 100 percent, but ices her knees after every game.
