Girls Soccer: Lyons’ Ari Kowalski commits to Indiana

One of Ari Kowalski’s goals is to play in the Big Ten someday. It turns out, her best opportunity was at Indiana.

Kowalski, a Lyons junior defender from Western Springs, did not receive any other serious offers from a Big Ten school. The Hoosiers were always the leading choice for Kowalski. One of the first offseason camps she attended was at Indiana in May.

“They have been coming to my games ever since,” Kowalski said.

When Kowalski decided to make a verbal commitment, Indiana became the easy choice. She committed to the Hoosiers Jan. 30.

“I liked the Big Ten atmosphere,” Kowalski said. “I love the coaches and I liked the girls.”

Kowalski might become just the second Chicago area product to join the Hoosiers’ roster in 2013. Kowalski will not be able to sign with Indiana until Feb. 6, 2013. Lake Zurich grad Kate Arends, a freshman defender, is the only Illinois product remaining with eligibility on Indiana’s current roster. Former Barrington star Carly Samp completed her senior season in the fall when the Hoosiers went 6-12-1, 2-9 in the Big Ten.

Indiana coach and English-born Mick Lyon finished his 10th season with the Hoosiers. He formerly coached and played at Evansville.

Kowalski will return to lead Lyons (20-5-1 last season) after the team lost to York 2-1 in a Class 3A  sectional final in 2011. Kowalski scored her first career goal on the varsity when she scored the only goal in Lyons’ 1-0 victory April 29 against Waubonsie Valley in the Naperville North Invitational.

As a member of the Chicago Fire Juniors club team, Kowalski has spent most of the offseason traveling. Her team has already traveled to St. Louis, Nebraska, and Atlanta.

“I went to Florida for the holiday break,” Kowalski said. “We play in the Elite Club National League, which is a showcase league. You have to qualify to get into it. We went to Atlanta before the break.”

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