Naperville Central’s Lauren Thorne had long been on the fence about playing college soccer.
As time passed, it seemed to become less likely.
“I always wanted to go to a bigger school, so that already canceled out soccer a little bit just because my recruiting process was really slow,” Thorne said. “I didn’t get onto stuff as much as I should have if I wanted to play in college, so the doors kind of closed fast as I got older.”
Then they slammed shut when Thorne suffered a torn ACL on May 9. That ended her junior season and any thoughts she had of playing at the next level.
“With the ACL, some coaches say you can, but it’s mentally and physically hard to think about that,” Thorne said. “My brother plays college sports, so seeing the commitment and the time that he puts in, it’s like a full-time job in college.”
Thorne’s brother, Payton, will be a sixth-year quarterback at Auburn next football season. Lauren Thorne will be joining her brother in the SEC, but not as an athlete. She and teammate Chloe Mowry are planning to room together at Kentucky and focus on academics.
Thorne and Mowry are enjoying their final season together. The four-year varsity players are co-captains on a team filled with young up-and-comers.
“Ever since freshman year, me and Chloe have felt very excited for our senior year, to be able to lead the team,” Thorne said. “That’s one of the more natural things that comes to both of us is leading.
“My brother is also a leader. I’ve seen him lead, and I understand what that means, and I think that’s essential for a team. I am super grateful for also doing it with Chloe because we are best friends since sixth grade, so we are on the same page about things.”
They’ve worked hard to get the Redhawks (5-3) on the same page.
“It started all the way back in September with them wanting to meet head of time, talk about things that we think we can be better at,” Naperville Central coach Troy Adams said. “They weren’t even soccer-related — things like team building, team effort and attitude. Both of them have done a great job of leading that.
“They are two of the better leaders that we’ve had in a long time as far as wanting to make sure that it’s about the team, not individuals.”
Neuqua Valley’s Alaina Chandola (17) and Naperville Central’s Lauren Thorne (10) go for the ball during a DuPage Valley Conference game in Naperville on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. (Trent Sprague / Naperville Sun)
Thorne’s resilience after her ACL injury shows she puts the team first.
“She has kept a really positive mindset, and she’s determined to work hard, not only for herself but also the team,” Mowry said. “That kind of rubs off on the team. Here’s someone coming off a nine-month injury and giving it 110%. She puts her best foot forward, even though she might be pushing it a little bit too much at times.”
Indeed, Thorne is not pain-free. In the five games since she was cleared to play, she has dealt with shin splints, which caused her to sit out the second half of Naperville Central’s 4-0 home loss to unbeaten Lockport on Saturday.
“It’s been a little bit rough,” Thorne said. “There’s been times, like right now, where I’m hurting, but I still have physical therapy going on to help the recovery, and I still need to strengthen it.”
Thorne has strengthened the Redhawks no matter what position she plays. She was a forward during her first two seasons and a midfielder last season. Adams has moved her to defender to play alongside Mowry and ease Thorne’s load.
“There is a lot of wear and tear on a midfielder,” Adams said. “We weren’t sure she would be able to handle playing 60-70 minutes in the midfield coming off of an ACL. She may end up back in the midfield or back up top as the season goes forward.”
Naperville Central’s Chloe Mowry (2) kicks the ball away from Lockport’s Natalie Zodrow (15) and Karolina Skubisz during a game in Naperville on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Jon Langham / Naperville Sun)
Mowry has been impressed with Thorne’s transition.
“That’s even more difficult, not playing what you’re used to and comfortable with,” Mowry said. “She’s done a great job. Even if it’s not exactly what she would desire, she’s making it seem as if it is something she would want because she’s working so hard.”
True to her unselfish attitude, Thorne takes playing defense in stride.
“It’s definitely different than what I’ve been used to, but as a good soccer player, you have to understand how to play anywhere on the field,” she said. “You have to do what’s best for the team.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
