It has been the perfect time for Kyra Lilly to flourish in an expanded role for Kaneland.
The sophomore central midfielder was happy to take up the challenge and answer the call to action as the Knights were facing the dilemma of being down multiple starters due to injuries.
“The coaches have given me a lot more chances to prove myself,” Lilly said. “And that has definitely boosted my confidence and allowed me to be a different kind of player.
“I’ve definitely been able to prove myself.”
Lilly was the bright spot Thursday afternoon for Kaneland in a 3-1 nonconference loss against host Hampshire. She ended up scoring her 11th goal of the season for the Knights.
Her goal total puts her second on the team behind senior midfielder Jade Schrader, who has 17.
Showing off her creativity with the ball, Lilly also has recorded seven assists for the Knights (12-7), It’s part of a rapidly developing and versatile offensive game she has being showing this spring.
“Kyra is night and day compared from a varsity standpoint of where she was a freshman,” Kaneland coach Scott Parillo. “She’s at another level and just vital to our control of the midfield.
“I don’t know what we would do without her. She’s showing leadership and game intelligence that we really need right now.”
Kaneland’s Kyra Lilly (13) lines up a shot against Hampshire during the second half of a nonconference game in Hampshire on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Brian O’Mahoney / The Beacon-News)
If her freshman season was about assimilating the speed and physical nature of play, the 5-foot-6 Lilly has utilized size, quickness and strength to reveal new facets of her game.
“Even if I didn’t get a lot of playing time last year, I really liked being on varsity because it gave me the experience and knowledge,” she said. “Now, I feel so much more comfortable and confident.
“My teammates are doing a great job of finding me or playing me balls like on corner kicks.”
To wit, Lilly combines size, balance, composure and a keen sense of where to be on the field. Her ascendancy on the soccer field mirrors her varsity basketball debut as a point guard.
This winter, she was named the Knights’ most improved player. She has learned to fuse the two sports together.
“Playing the point in basketball has allowed me to see the field better in soccer because you always have to know where your players are as a point guard,” Lily said. “With soccer, I just feel so much freedom playing as a central midfielder.
“I can move and run, play balls to the corner or also shoot more from distance.”
Kaneland’s Kyra Lilly (13) works the ball up the field against Hampshire during the first half of a nonconference game in Hampshire on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Brian O’Mahoney / The Beacon-News)
The older players have certainly taken notice, mentoring her and accelerating the improvement, according to senior defender Casey O’Brien.
“Kyra’s speed, skill and strength on and off the ball has been a tremendous help in the middle,” O’Brien said. “She is challenging every ball. No girl is able to just dribble around her because of her patience on the ball and just waiting for the right time to step up.”
Lilly’s earliest influence was her older brother, Austin, an offensive lineman who just completed his freshman season at Augustana.
“I’ve always been very athletic because of him,” she said. “He played all kinds of sports, like football, baseball and basketball. I think that helped me find my style and identity.”
Lily picked up soccer on her own at age 5.
“At first, I tried softball, but I was so bored because of all the standing and waiting around,” she said. “I loved soccer because it was so fast-paced and you were always moving.”
The season moves on as well. Kaneland begins the playoffs by hosting a regional, playing the winner between IMSA and Harvard at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
“The older players helped me get here, but now it’s always been in the back of my head that I want to be one who steps up and scores goals,” she said. “I’m ready to be that player.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
