Naperville North’s Lily Radek has made an immediate impact on her team’s defense as a freshman, earning a starting spot at outside back. Radek’s relentless effort and composed demeanor have drawn praise from her coach and teammates.
Radek’s journey to becoming a vital part of the Huskies’ defense began last summer when she impressed coach Steve Goletz at a summer camp. Goletz saw potential in Radek and offered her a starting role, where she has excelled at shutting down even the toughest opponents.
Goletz praised Radek’s relentless play, saying, “The biggest thing for me is she plays 100 miles an hour all the time, and she does such a great job.” He also highlighted her versatility, as she has played on both sides of the field this season.
Radek credits her teammates with helping her transition seamlessly into the team’s defense. Senior Reagan O’Malley, juniors Abby Penn and Emily Buescher, and sophomore Addison Sitzman have provided support and guidance to the freshman.
“They’ve kind of taken me under their wing,” Radek said. “They’re very good at communicating, and they always make sure I know what I’m doing. If I’m struggling, I always know that I can turn to them.”
Radek’s mental approach has also contributed to her success. She uses a unique strategy to deal with mistakes, pretending to be a goldfish with a short-term memory.
“The thing that helps me the most is just pretending I’m a goldfish because they’ve got really short-term memories,” she said. “So if I make a mistake, I always know that I’ll get back for the next play.”
Radek’s love for soccer has been a driving force in her development. She began playing at a young age and finds solace and joy in the sport.
“It’s always an outlet,” she said. “If I’m having a bad day, I’ll always go outside and play soccer, shoot around. It always makes me better, and it’s just so fun.”
Radek’s future in soccer is bright. Coach Goletz believes she has the potential to become one of the best outside backs in Naperville North history.
“If she continues to develop like we’re hoping for, she could go down as one of the best outside backs we’ve ever had here,” Goletz said. “That’s saying a lot as a freshman to come in and have the impact that she’s had.”
Radek’s positive attitude, hard work, and respect for the game have made her a valuable asset to the Naperville North Huskies, and she is poised for continued success both on and off the field.
