Gianna Cisneros gets first varsity goal for Lockport. She knows about pressure. But? ‘It's also a big opportunity.'

Chicago Tribune

25-04-2025

Freshman defender Gianna Cisneros already has a ton of weight on her shoulders in the early stages of her Lockport career.
She's starting on the back line for a team with high expectations, part of an overhauled defense that is replacing a veteran group that only allowed 10 goals all of last season.
'It's a lot of pressure,' Cisneros said. 'But it's also a big opportunity that I'm grateful to have. Playing more experienced and older girls who have a lot of talent is a big challenge, but I try to handle it as best as I can.'
Cisneros has more than held her own. And Thursday night will be unforgettable for her. She scored her first high school goal to spark the visiting Porters to a 4-1 SouthWest Suburban Conference win over Andrew in Tinley Park.
Marquette recruit Ava Kozak scored twice for Lockport (10-3, 3-0). Hayden Spodarek added a goal and an assist, while Lily Nonte chipped in an assist and Olivia Luecke made four saves.
Emily Crotty scored for Andrew (9-4-2, 2-2). Annabel Walsh finished with seven saves.
Cisneros' big moment came just over six minutes into the game when Spodarek took a corner kick and sent a well-placed cross toward the far post. Cisneros crashed in and ripped a hard shot into the back of the net.
'It was very exciting and exhilarating, and I feel like it brought out a lot in me,' Cisneros said. 'After that, it was all very smooth play, I think.
'I love doing corners because I love going for the ball. Those are my chances, and I try to bury them as much as I can, any chance I get.'
Cisneros' early goal gave the Porters some much-needed momentum after Saturday's 7-0 loss to Naperville Central. Cisneros did not play in that game as she was away on a family Easter trip.
The lopsided defeat was humbling and stunning for Lockport but certainly served as a motivator.
'We were very fired up,' Kozak said. 'We definitely came with the energy. We've been working hard in practice and we just delivered (Thursday).
'(Cisneros') goal was so big for us. That was just a great finish. She had so much power on that shot.'
Of course, Cisneros' typical contributions come on the other end of the field where she has stepped up as a lockdown defender, according to coach Todd Elkei.
'I think it's just her athleticism and her confidence in herself,' Elkei said. 'She's a quiet kid, but she just finds a way to make a statement on the field. It doesn't matter who she's going against, she goes 110 miles per hour.
'When you get quality players, you use them, and she's one of them.'
Kozak has certainly been impressed by Cisneros.
'She's insane,' Kozak said. 'She's relentless. She literally goes in for any ball. We need her out there. She's a very key player for us and we're lucky to have her.'
Kozak scored twice in the first half as the Porters stretched their lead to 3-0, including a dazzling goal in the 33rd minute when she juked a defender and ripped a left-footed, 20-yard strike inside the far post.
'Ava's Ava,' Elkei said. 'That left-footed strike she scored on was just pure genius. It was quality.'
And Cisneros has delivered quality play beyond her years. She hasn't always been a defender, but she's certainly found her home in the back for Lockport.
'I've played all over the place, including goalie from about when I was 8 to 12 years old because my team didn't really have a goalie,' Cisneros said. 'But defense is fun.
'It's very exciting when you make a big block or stop someone from having a chance to score. It's a big adrenaline rush.'