GIERMAN MAKING HER OWN MARK
Youngest in line of soccer-player siblings, senior utilizes unique strength, accuracy
Location and family heritage practically mandated Lauren Gierman to gravitate toward playing soccer. The Hersey junior forward grew up across the street from the high school. More important, she had a deep family connection to the sport.
“I’m the youngest of five, and everybody played soccer,” Gierman said. “Growing up across the street from the school, it meant we had those huge fields to play on and develop, especially the deep balls.”
Her brother Brian and sister Kristen made their marks as defenders. Last year, Lauren played opposite her sister Nicole in the middle of the Huskies’ formation. From the start of her career, Lauren demonstrated strong playmaking and scoring skills.
She scored 14 goals and recorded 19 assists as the Huskies captured the Mid-Suburban East title last season. Her 10 goals and 10 assists are crucial factors in the rise of the No. 10 Huskies (10-3-4), who have lost just one game since late March.
Gierman’s signature weapons are the strength of her leg and the accuracy of kicks, especially on corner kicks and free kicks. She scored on a 37-yard free kick against Maine South earlier in the year. The time spent growing up with her older siblings, proved crucial in developing that part of her game.
“It definitely helps the team out and gives us more [scoring] opportunities,” she said.
Hersey coach Brad Abel has coached the Gierman sisters during his nine-year tenure. “Kristen and Nicole had it, too, but Lauren is the best I’ve ever coached as far as her field vision,” he said. “Her ability to read the game is just uncanny, and it’s a big reason why she’s so good on the set pieces, the corners and the free kicks.’’
Gierman played basketball and golf at the start of her career at Hersey, but has given them up to focus on soccer. She committed to Northern Illinois last fall, selecting the Huskies over DePaul.
“It was a hard choice, but I really like [NIU head coach John Ross],” she said.
With No. 2 Buffalo Grove having secured the division, Gierman said the team is concentrating on the state tournament. The Huskies are the No. 3 seed in the Class 3A Mundelein Sectional behind the Bison and No. 12 Carmel. Last year, Hersey started strong and faded down the stretch, being upset as top-seed in the first round of the state tournament.
“Last year we beat Buffalo Grove, won our division and let it get to our heads,” Gierman said. “We turned our season around when we beat Barrington, but we said then, we’re going to take it one game at a time and that’s how we’ve approached this season.”