BLOOMINGTON — After spending four years as the starting varsity goalkeeper for Lincoln-Way Central, Flynn Meyer is transitioning from soccer to embark on a collegiate diving career at Southern Illinois. Despite moving on, she carries with her numerous cherished memories and pride in her team’s performance in her final, most significant soccer match.
“I think we really did battle until the end,” Meyer stated. “We did all we could. All the seniors, we can be proud of our last game. We left it all out there. No complaints there.”
On Monday night, Meyer excelled by making nine saves, leading Lincoln-Way Central to shut out the challenging Edwardsville for 100 minutes in the Class 3A Bloomington Supersectional. Although the Knights performed admirably, Edwardsville triumphed 3-1 in a penalty-kick shootout for a 1-0 victory.
“Flynn Meyer kneels down to make a save against Edwardsville during the Class 3A Bloomington Supersectional on Monday, June 1, 2026.”
The Knights wrapped up a successful season, securing their second sectional title in five years along with an undefeated 8-0 run in the SouthWest Suburban Conference under first-year coach Breanna Bembenek.
“I’m happy with our season,” Meyer remarked. “Having a new coaching staff was a little nerve-racking, but in the end, we did great. All of us were very united. We were best friends off the field, and I think that chemistry carried us on the field and that’s what got us this far.”
Meyer also acknowledged senior Genny Burroughs, who made three crucial saves in the shootout, contributing to Edwardsville’s advancement to the state level.
“Flynn was an absolute leader for us,” coach Bembenek praised. “A lot of our success was because she was in net saving us. In all our conference games this year, she only allowed one goal in eight games.”
Beyond soccer, Meyer was a three-sport athlete, also engaging in gymnastics and diving. Transitioning fully to diving was not something she envisioned years prior, but her soccer experience prepared her for the pressures of college-level diving.
“These big moments in soccer prepared me for the big moments in diving where it’s dead silent and I have to go perform,” Meyer explained. “Diving was always a part-time thing for me. I’m excited to see where I can go when I focus on that full time.”
While Meyer and fellow seniors depart, Lincoln-Way Central’s team remains robust with seven underclassmen, spearheaded by a promising offensive player in Jules Rafacz.
Junior defender Aly Sudkamp expressed her views for the coming season, “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.”
Meyer supports her teammates wholeheartedly and treasures the bonds formed. “It’s not about any championships,” Meyer reflected. “I build families in every sport I’m in. So, it’s my best friends. It’s building those relationships. That’s the best part.”