Girls soccer: Cook County All-Area captain Lucier carries on Barrington’s rich tradition
You would be hard pressed to find anyone who wears the Barrington shirt with more pride while always giving 110% than Piper Lucier, who has cherished every moment since her first day of training with her new teammates and coach Ryan Stengren.
So it was only natural that following the Fillies’ 2-1 victory over Lane to claim the 3A third place state trophy, Lucier could be seen wearing a wide smile, enjoying one last moment of happiness and success together with her friends.
Lucier was later told that day by Stengren that she had been named the captain of the 2025 Daily Herald Cook County All-Area team.
"I was immediately shocked from what (Stengren) told me. (It) was so exciting to hear, because my day instantly became twice as good with this honor, and our team finishing third at state," said Lucier.
The three-time all-state forward follows in the footsteps of Roos Van Roekel, the 2024 All-Area captain, and 2024 Gatorade Illinois POY, who is now playing at Loyola.
Lucier, just as Van Roekel, was also recently named All-American as well.
"The tradition of Barrington Fillies soccer is like no other," said Lucier, whose family moved from Streamwood ahead of her freshman year to be a part of a program that during her four years is an extraordinary 85-7-8, with a pair of second place state trophies alongside the silverware it picked up this season.
"When you have a player as talented as Piper — who puts so much into her training, fitness, nutrition, gives her all to the program and her teammates, is a great student, and tries to be the best person that she can — it sets the tone for others, especially our younger players," said Stengren.
"I was fortunate coming in as a freshman, and having great junior and senior mentors, who I would idolize because of their work ethic, and their ability to lead by example — knowing that one day I would be one of those players," said Lucier.
The diverse technical skills of Lucier also is what set her apart from others at her position.
Those skills included incredible two-footed dribbling, ability to create something, at times from nothing, mesmerizing runs, all with pace and speed that allowed her to beat two, sometimes three defenders all within a tight space.
"(Her) high motor, and ability to press and pressure led to so many mistakes in our opponents’ end, the chances for herself, and others because of her unselfish play," said Stengren.
"For all of her incredible talent as an attacking player, she was also great defensively, and took a lot of pride in doing so."
Her rookie season would show just what was ahead for the 2025 MSL West POY as she netted 18 goals, followed by 14, 13, and this season a career-best 19 with 20 assists.
"Piper was surrounded by great, all-state players during her first three years — Brooke Brown (Cornell) and Sara Sarnowski (St. Louis University) — so they were able to complement each other in our attack," said Stengren.
"(However) this year, with such a young roster, she would carry us, be the facilitator, until our young players found their way to become players we could depend later into the season."
Of the 82 goals scored this spring by the Fillies, Lucier had a hand in nearly 50% with her 39 total points.
Despite playing with a badly sprained ankle suffered in the seventh minute of the Fillies’ regional final May 14, Lucier still was able to make her presence felt when she hit the game-winner from an impossible angle in the sectional final against Lake Zurich.
Three days later, her brilliant early ball to AJ Sanchez would help increase the lead over Libertyville in their 3-1 supersectional victory to send the Fillies on their way to the state tournament.
"(Her) left ankle was sprained so badly. I, at times, (thought) she probably should not have been playing, but she pushed through in order to give us as much as she could. And at times, playing 60-70 minutes (it) was amazing what she was able to do, and it said so much about her," said Stengren.
Lucier committed to Marquette University during her sophomore year, and will pursue a degree in nursing.
"Piper is a high character person, who takes her academics (4.70 GPA) as well as her training, and being a team leader, very seriously. And around the Stengren household, we like to call her our second daughter," said Ryan Stengren.
"My four years here at Barrington have gone so fast, and I will miss it all for sure, but I feel like we've helped prepare the next wave off sophomores and juniors for what is ahead of them. (They've) got it, and they we be just fine," said Lucier.
"One thing I will miss for sure is playing for (coach) Stengren, who always amazed me with the way he treats each and every player with respect, and how he wanted each of them to be their best, and to feel like they are an important part to the team and program."