Chicago Suburb Is Home To WPS Defender of the Year, Boston's LePielbet

No one was more surprised than Crystal Lake, IL native and US international Amy Lepielbet to hear her name called when the WPS honored it's first "Defender of the Year." At least that's her statement for the record.  

Unfortunately for Chicago Red Stars fans, their homegrown talent is playing for an opponent, the Boston Breakers.

We asked her about her Crystal Lake roots.

BR: Are you still pretty well connected to Crystal Lake?  

AL: I have not been back to Crystal Lake in quite awhile, but I will always be connected to the town.  I still have family and friends who live there who keep me in touch with what is going on in town.  

BR: Where did you go to High School?

AL: I went to Central my freshman year and finished my last three years at Prairie Ridge.

BR: What was your most formative soccer influence growing up in Crystal Lake and why?

AL: In high school one of my Prairie Ridge teammates, Jessie Allan, invited me to play with her club team.  If it was not for her I would have never played for the club Sparta. 

Playing with Sparta and playing for my coach Mike Nesci was the most influential soccer experience for me during my high school days.  My time with the club really helped me become a better and smarter player.  Most importantly Sparta prepared me for the college game.   

BR: Who are the people both local and global who have been the greatest influences on you personally and professionally (athletically)?

AL: Both personally and professionally my parents have had the greatest influence on me. They have instilled in me to always believe in myself which has been a driving force in my life and soccer career.

 Also, my college coaches Ray and Tracey Leone have both been very influential. They taught me how to be a true professional and at the same time to always have fun playing the game because that is when you play your best.    

BR: Which soccer player has been your biggest hero/role model? 

AL: When I was young I always was amazed by Kristine Lilly and now that I have had the opportunity to play on the same team as her I am even more amazed by her.  She is the ultimate professional.  Not only is she a very talented player, but she is an unbelievable leader and teammate.    

BR: Do you remember any games in youth soccer or high school that were highlights or turning points in your soccer career?

AL: Making the club team Sparta was a major turning point in my soccer career.  Once I started playing for the club I had the opportunity to go to major tournaments where college coaches were watching our games.  At one of these tournaments was where Arizona State University saw me and began recruiting me.  

BR: Has anyone in Crystal Lake approached you about having you come back home for a hero’s welcome? (in any form)

AL: No one has approached me.

BR: When you played in Toyota Park this past season, how many people came from home to see you play?

AL: I probably had around 25 family and friends come to game.

BR: Would you like to play in Chicago at some point in your career, or doesn’t that matter?

AL: I am very happy in Boston, but before going to Boston I really wanted to play in Chicago or for one of the west coast teams. 

Now that I have played a season as a Boston Breaker I definitely want to stay in Boston. I honestly never thought I would feel that way, but I am so invested in the Breakers team that I do not want to play anywhere else just yet.    

BR: What are your dreams and goals for the future, in your soccer career and beyond?

AL: My first goal is to win a WPS championship next year with the Boston Breakers.  My second goal is to make the 2011 World Cup team.  

BR: After your playing days are over, do you anticipate a soccer related career as a coach or in the front office, or do you anticipate a totally different career?

AL: I honestly do not know exactly what I want to do when I am finished playing, but I do think it would be nice to still be around the sport once I'm done.  So coaching or working in a front office are definite a possibilities.

Plans are underway at Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake to honor Amy when the Breakers play in Chicago next Spring. Ideally, it will be an event co-sponsored by WPS, the Breakers, the Red Stars and US Soccer. Prairie Ridge would like to display Amy's WNT and Breakers jerseys with a few other alumni who have played major league s