Flynn Meyer Transitions from Soccer to College Diving

Flynn Meyer, the starting varsity goalkeeper for Lincoln-Way Central over the past four years, is transitioning from soccer to pursue college diving at Southern Illinois. Reflecting on her soccer journey, Meyer feels pride in her team’s performance in her final game, which was the most significant match she played. “I think we really did battle until the end,” Meyer remarked. “All the seniors, we can be proud of our last game. We left it all out there. No complaints there.”

In the Class 3A Bloomington Supersectional, Meyer made nine saves as Lincoln-Way Central managed to shut out Edwardsville for 100 minutes. Despite this effort, Edwardsville secured a 1-0 victory by winning the penalty-kick shootout 3-1. Key defensive players Ella Forystek, Jolie Kolosh, Aly Sudkamp, and Taylor Watt supported Meyer’s strong performance, while Jules Rafacz scored the Knights’ only successful penalty kick.

Meyer acknowledged the team’s achievements under first-year coach Breanna Bembenek. Lincoln-Way Central ended the season with their second sectional title in five years and an undefeated 8-0 sprint to the SouthWest Suburban Conference championship. “I’m happy with our season,” Meyer said, appreciating the unity among the team. “We were best friends off the field, and I think that chemistry carried us on the field.”

She also commended fellow senior Genny Burroughs from Edwardsville, who made three crucial saves in the shootout, leading her team to a state-level competition. Reflecting on her soccer career, Meyer recognized its role in preparing her for college diving, noting, “These big moments in soccer, like this game, I have come up big in them sometimes over the years. It prepares me for the big moments in diving where it’s dead silent, and I have to perform.”

Meyer, a three-sport athlete who also engaged in gymnastics, anticipates that focusing on diving full-time will be an exciting new chapter. She noticed that the Knights have a promising future with seven underclassmen, including Rafacz, contributing significantly to the team.

Sudkamp, a junior defender, emphasized the importance of maintaining this momentum: “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.”

As Meyer shifts her focus, she will carry fond memories of Lincoln-Way Central. “It’s not about any championships or anything like that,” Meyer stated. “I build families in every sport I’m in. It’s my best friends. It’s building those relationships. That’s the best part.”