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Chagrin Falls senior named soccer All-American
(by Steve Novak - December 16, 2009)
Chagrin Falls senior named soccer All-American
By STEVE NOVAK
Three years ago, one of Erika Ilkanich's assignments in freshman health class was to formulate three long-term goals. When she turned in the assignment, one of the goals she chose was to become an All-American.
It turned out to be a well-chosen goal. Earlier this month, the 18-year-old Chagrin Falls senior was selected a high school soccer All-American.
The award was the culmination of a series of postseason awards for her. Ilkanich was chosen first team All-Chagrin Valley Conference, Division II first team All-Ohio and player of the year by the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association.
Ilkanich plays midfield, which is a traditionally a position that is high on guts and low on glory. At the midfield position, Ilkanich is often the player designated as a shadow defender.
During several games this season, her defensive task was to mark the best scorer on the opposing team. Marking a player is following that player on offense.
"We've assigned Erika to mark the best player on a team this season," Chagrin Falls coach Pam Malone said. "When she marked Kori Chapic, of West Geauga, Kori didn't score a goal on us. We did this for other teams, too."
But Ilkanich's duties weren't just restricted to defense. When Chagrin Falls had the ball, one of her primary assignments was to get the ball moving across midfield and toward the opponent's goal.
Despite playing the bulk of her offensive time near midfield, Ilkanich scored nine goals this season and had 10 assists. Last season, she scored 11 goals.
However, she said one of her favorite things on offense has nothing to do with making a goal. She loves to make the first pass that sets up a shot for one of her teammates.
"I like to see the field and to make those passes, and to see that they're going toward making a goal," she said.
Malone said there were numerous reasons why Ilkanich developed the talents of an All-American. But the first reason she listed merely involved Ilkanich's refusal to take a vacation.
"She plays year-round," she said. "She plays (indoor leagues) when she's not playing high school. Something like that sets any girl apart. She has made a commitment to soccer. She's one of the workhorses of the team. She's exceptional in her defense."
Ilkanich is in select company as a Chagrin Falls All-American. She is one of three Chagrin Falls High School soccer players to win the award. Katie Carson and Brye Gerhardt were named All-Americans in the mid-1990s.
Ilkanich helped the Lady Tigers finish 16-2-3 this season. The team advanced to the Division II regional final before losing in overtime to Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown, 2-1. Chagrin Falls' goal in the game came on an assist by Ilkanich.
However, despite all of the postseason awards, she said this game still remains a sore point in her memory.
"That's still hard to think about," she said. "For that game, I wanted to leave it all on the field. But I still think our team could have won the state championship."
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