It should come as no surprise that Homewood-Flossmoor’s Lilia Abramczyk has the composure to deliver under pressure.
Abramczyk plays the cello in the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. And when you’re accustomed to playing intricate pieces of music in front of big crowds, an overtime soccer game is no big deal.
“I think it definitely helps me,” Abramczyk said. “I’m not as nervous to play soccer.”
Abramczyk certainly was a cool customer Tuesday night. The sophomore midfielder delivered the game-winning goal in overtime as the Vikings rallied for a 2-1 win over host Argo in a Windy City Ram Classic first-round game in Summit.
Paris Jones also scored a goal for H-F (1-0), while Isla Thomson tallied two assists and Cristina Ramirez made four saves.
Klara Cicha came through with a goal for Argo (0-1). Damari Alcala-Gil notched seven saves.
Just over three minutes into overtime, Abramczyk took a pass from Thomson, made a quick turn on the right wing and ripped a 25-yard shot into the top of the net.
“It felt good,” Abramczyk said. “I did not know it was going to go in. At the very start of the game, I got a couple shots but they weren’t on target, so getting that one in was really nice.”
Abramczyk has been playing soccer since she was 3 or 4 years old. Cello has become her other passion. She started playing the instrument in fourth grade.
The Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra is her team away from the soccer field.
“It’s pretty fun,” Abramczyk said of the orchestra. “I get sad because I miss a couple soccer practices here and there because of that, but it always works out.
“The orchestra, we have a show in the fall and a show in the spring, so we practice for those. But I try my best to make it to soccer most of the time.”
H-F coach Ali Farkos is fine with the occasional missed practice because she knows how much the orchestra has helped Abramczyk became an unflappable athlete.
“I feel like her composure on the field is probably directly relocated from that,” Farkos said. “The way she can focus in. She’s always asking questions, she’s always trying to learn, and that composure just leads her to a different level when it comes to soccer.”
Abramczyk and Jones, a sophomore forward, both saw extensive playing time last season as freshmen on varsity.
With eight starters having graduated from that 2024 team, the sophomores know they need to step up.
“We’re rebuilding the team,” Jones said. “Lilia is a good player. I’m glad she got that goal. I’m really excited for her.”
Forget her overtime heroics for a minute. Abramczyk is thrilled just be on the field. She’s playing through a serious hip injury that will require two surgeries in the summer.
“I tore my labrum so I have to have surgery for that and then they also have to do a hip reconstruction,” she said. “It’s hard, but with the adrenaline, you don’t feel it as much.
“I try not to think about it as much since it’s not until the summer.”
Farkos sees Abramczyk playing with extra motivation as she looks to prove to everyone that the hip problems won’t slow her down.
“The doctor gave her the OK play in terms of it can’t get worse,” Farkos said. “That’s not the best prognosis. We were super worried. But she came in with a chip on her shoulder, and she’s been able to step in and really lead our team from that position.”
Getting cleared to play was the best news Abramczyk has received in a long time.
“I’m so happy,” she said. “It definitely made my day just hearing I could play.”
