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Knights Fight til the End, Win Windy City Ram Classic

  • acphoto22
  • Mar 28
  • 2 min read

Updated: Apr 7

Lincoln-Way Central's Jules Rafacz, left, scores on an upper 90 shot from 25 yards out, and Jaylin Sustr helps celebrate as the Knights tie the score 1-1, Burbank, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com
Lincoln-Way Central's Jules Rafacz, left, scores on an upper 90 shot from 25 yards out, and Jaylin Sustr helps celebrate as the Knights tie the score 1-1, Burbank, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com

In the Windy City Ram Classic championship game the Lincoln-Way Central Knights demonstrated their grit and tenacity.

The Knights and the Andrew Thunderbolts were both moving the ball well in the first half.

Andrew's effort paid off in the form of an early Emily Crotty goal on a direct kick. Central created chances but couldn't find a way to get a quality shot on frame.

Lincoln-Way Central's Jules Rafacz, left, and Andrew's Emily Crotty battle for the ball, Burbank, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com
Lincoln-Way Central's Jules Rafacz, left, and Andrew's Emily Crotty battle for the ball, Burbank, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com

Central's Jules Rafacz stayed active in the midfield, challenging on defense and pressing on offense.

Andrew's Maxine Arvanetes, left, pokes the ball away from Lincoln-Way Central's Jules Rafacz, Burbank, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com
Andrew's Maxine Arvanetes, left, pokes the ball away from Lincoln-Way Central's Jules Rafacz, Burbank, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com

Before the half ended, Central's backline was jumping on loose balls and turning away the T-bolts offensive efforts.

Lincoln-Way Central's Abby Sudkamp (20) clears a ball as the Knights play VJA in the championship match of the Windy City Ram Classic championship game, Burbank, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com
Lincoln-Way Central's Abby Sudkamp (20) clears a ball as the Knights play VJA in the championship match of the Windy City Ram Classic championship game, Burbank, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com

In the second half, the Knights began to turn up the offensive pressure. Madi Watt and Jules Rafacz were possessing the ball in the midfield and making passes that spread the defense.

Lincoln-Way Central's Madi Watt (2) dribbles the ball during the Windy City Ram Classic championship game against VJA, Burbank, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com
Lincoln-Way Central's Madi Watt (2) dribbles the ball during the Windy City Ram Classic championship game against VJA, Burbank, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com
Lincoln-Way Central's Jules Rafacz (17) controls the ball, Burbank, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com
Lincoln-Way Central's Jules Rafacz (17) controls the ball, Burbank, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com

As the Knights sustained offensive pressure, the Bolts were forced to defend deeper in the box. Jules Rafacz took advantage of this and ripped a long shot that found the back of the net.

Lincoln-Way Central's Jules Rafacz, white jersey, watches her rocket of a shot head to the upper 90 to pull the Knights even with VJA in the Windy City Ram Classic championship game, Burbank, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com
Lincoln-Way Central's Jules Rafacz, white jersey, watches her rocket of a shot head to the upper 90 to pull the Knights even with VJA in the Windy City Ram Classic championship game, Burbank, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com

The score even, Lincoln-Way upped their intensity. Rafacz was dribbling toward the goal when she was taken down in the box.

Lincoln-Way Central's Abby Sudkamp celebrates after scoring on a PK to give the Knights the lead with 5:05 left to play in the Windy City Ram Classic championship game, Burbank, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com
Lincoln-Way Central's Abby Sudkamp celebrates after scoring on a PK to give the Knights the lead with 5:05 left to play in the Windy City Ram Classic championship game, Burbank, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com

Abby Sudkamp buried the PK and Lincoln-Way closed out the game winning the champion-ship 2-1.

Lincoln-Way Central accepts the Windy City Ram Classic championship trophy, Burbank, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com
Lincoln-Way Central accepts the Windy City Ram Classic championship trophy, Burbank, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com

And along with the trophy, a ring for each of the Knights.

Lincoln-Way Central players show off their ring and trophy after winning the 2025 Windy City Ram Classic tournament, Burbank, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com
Lincoln-Way Central players show off their ring and trophy after winning the 2025 Windy City Ram Classic tournament, Burbank, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com

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