Junior forward Ava Kozak was excited for her first season of high school soccer at Lockport.
Kozak, a Marquette recruit who previously played exclusively for her club team, had heard plenty of good things about the experience of suiting up for the Porters.
But her first month with the team this spring has blown her expectations out of the water.
“A lot of my teammates from my club team told me how fun it was and said it was just a great environment, so I wanted to give it a shot,” Kozak said. “I definitely expected it to be fun, but it’s a lot more fun than I thought it would be. I’m really enjoying it.”
Kozak is having plenty of success along the way.
She scored her 14th goal of the season Thursday, sparking host Lockport to a 2-0 victory over Wheaton North in the Porter Cup championship game.
Yuridia Hernandez also scored for the Porters (11-0), who won their home tournament for the first time. Milwaukee recruit Natalie Zodrow and Tiffany Giannese each had an assist, while Liz Rock made two saves for the shutout.
Leah Roe finished with 12 saves for Wheaton North (6-2-2), which won the tournament championship each of the last two seasons.
Lockport’s Ava Kozak (6) pushes the ball up the field against Wheaton North during the Porter Cup championship game in Lockport on Thursday, April 11, 2024. (Nate Swanson / Daily Southtown)
Kozak scored in the 12th minute, knocking the ball in from the front of the net off a cross from Zodrow that followed a corner kick.
While Kozak continues to pile up goals, she’s quick to credit her teammates.
“The team has been helping create so many great opportunities,” Kozak said. “We’ve been creative and we’ve just got to keep building. I love the team.
“It’s a great group of girls, and they’ve just made me feel so welcome.”
Lockport coach Todd Elkei is sure glad to have Kozak in his lineup.
“She’s a humble kid, but she’s determined and she’s got a great drive to succeed,” Elkei said. “She’s a great character kid who fits in well with the group. She’s as happy for someone else when they score as when she scores. She’s a perfect addition for our team.”
Lockport’s Meghan Mack (26) completes a pass against Wheaton North’s Casey Kenny (16) during the Porter Cup championship game in Lockport on Thursday, April 11, 2024. (Nate Swanson / Daily Southtown)
Kozak has been playing soccer since she was 6 years old. She was also a cross country runner, but gave that up after her freshman year.
“My parents were just throwing me into a bunch of sports and I fell in love with soccer,” Kozak said. “I love to run. I’m very energetic.”
Hernandez finished off a beautiful combination play as Green Bay recruit Alyssa Flood played a cross to Giannese, who slipped a pass to a wide-open Hernandez in front of the net for a tap-in goal that made it 2-0 in the 24th minute.
The defense led by Flood, Milwaukee recruit Brinlee McNabb, SIU Edwardsville commit Emma Czech and Cumberlands recruit Meghan Mack made sure the lead held up.
Rock recorded one huge save in the second half, denying Jane Rogers, as the Porters avenged last season’s Porter Cup semifinal loss to Wheaton North.
“It’s amazing to finally actually win the Cup,” Rock said. “I’m so glad we pulled it off this year. We have a really strong team, and we’re going to go places.”
Lockport’s Ava Kozak (6) converges on Wheaton North goalkeeper Leah Roe (0) during the Porter Cup championship game in Lockport on Thursday, April 11, 2024. (Nate Swanson / Daily Southtown)
Kozak is ready to lead the way.
“I think we have great team chemistry,” Kozak said. “We work really well together, and I’m really excited to see what the season holds for us.”
Hernandez, a freshman midfielder who now has eight goals, said Kozak’s presence elevates the entire attack for the Porters.
“It’s amazing playing with her,” Hernandez said. “She knows how to hold the ball really well in front, which helps us wingers get up and then we just go score.
“She’s such a crazy player. Absolutely crazy.”
