Flynn Meyer’s Transition from High School Soccer to College Diving

After a four-year tenure as the starting varsity goalkeeper for Lincoln-Way Central, Flynn Meyer is bidding farewell to soccer as she embarks on a college diving career at Southern Illinois. She leaves with great memories and pride in her team’s performance during her final game, the most significant match she has played. Meyer expressed, “I think we really did battle until the end. We did all we could. All the seniors, we can be proud of our last game. We left it all out there. No complaints there.”

Meyer made nine saves in her final match, and the Knights shut out the strong Edwardsville team for 100 minutes. However, Edwardsville won a penalty-kick shootout 3-1, securing a 1-0 victory in the Class 3A Bloomington Supersectional. Lincoln-Way Central was fortified by a heroic defensive effort from Ella Forystek, Jolie Kolosh, Aly Sudkamp, and Millikin recruit Taylor Watt. Jules Rafacz successfully converted the team’s lone penalty kick.

Throughout the season, Lincoln-Way Central celebrated achievements, clinching their second sectional title in five years and maintaining a flawless 8-0 record in the SouthWest Suburban Conference. This was achieved under the guidance of first-year coach Breanna Bembenek. Meyer reflected, “I’m happy with our season. Having a new coaching staff was a little nerve-racking, but in the end, we did great. All of us were very united. We were best friends off the field, and I think that chemistry carried us on the field and that’s what got us this far.”

Meyer also acknowledged fellow senior Genny Burroughs, who made three crucial saves in the shootout, contributing to Edwardsville’s victory and progression to the state competition.

Meyer’s contribution was pivotal in extending the game, making significant saves including a critical diving stop with 8:30 left in regulation and blocking a tricky shot in overtime. Coach Bembenek praised Meyer, “Flynn was an absolute leader for us. A lot of our games this year, a lot of our success was because she was in net saving us. In all our conference games this year, she only allowed one goal in eight games.”

Meyer, a tri-sport athlete at Lincoln-Way Central, has excelled in gymnastics along with soccer and diving. Her future is bright in diving, a sport she hadn’t focused on until recently. She acknowledged soccer’s role in preparing her for college diving, saying, “These big moments in soccer, like this game, I have come up big in them sometimes over the years. And the nerves that come up, it prepares me for the big moments in diving where it’s dead silent and I have to go perform.”

Even as Meyer and other seniors move on, the team is laid on a solid foundation. The Knights started seven underclassmen, including the offensively gifted Rafacz and most of their starting back line. Junior defender Sudkamp commented, “We’ve got to keep this going for next season and remember how this ended. We’ve got to be willing to put the work in again just like we did for this season.” Meyer looks forward to supporting them in their future endeavors.

Meyer cherishes the relationships she has built, stating, “It’s not about any championships or anything like that. I build families in every sport I’m in. So, it’s my best friends. It’s building those relationships. That’s the best part.”