Dear LFSA,

            All three of our children: Christopher, Nicole, and Madeline have played soccer for many years beginning with AYSO.  Christopher played with another boys’ club, while Nicole and Madeline played and trained with LFSA from U-8 – U-13/14.  They loved playing for LFSA and developed great friendships along the way.  The training they received as LFSA was extremely valuable, laying the foundation for their respective soccer careers.  Christopher, now 21, played Varsity soccer at Deerfield Academy and opted not to play college soccer, although was recruited to play at the D-1 level.  Madeline, now 15, is taking a break from club soccer having played LFSA and FC United through U-13 to pursue her tennis at the national level.

            Nicole, now 19 years old, is playing D-1 soccer for Duke University.  She just completed her freshman year and had a wonderful experience playing all games as a center mid-fielder and subbing in as a center back.  She loves what she is doing!  Though Nicole played for another club throughout high school, she credits so much of her development to her first coach, Oktay Akgun.  Oktay is a wonderful, caring, motivating, and inspirational coach, and certainly was one of the most important coaches in Nicole’s development.  From a very young age (U-14) Nicole was identified as a national player and had many great experiences over the years such as:  U-15 National Team Camp in California in 2005; playing on the ODP Regional team from 2004-2009 traveling to Brazil, Germany, France, Holland, California, and Florida;  U-18 National Team Camp in Florida in 2008; honored as a NSCAA/Adidas All-America Soccer Team member; and participating in numerous national tournaments with her club, including a national title at the U-15 age group and runners-up at the U-17 and U-19 levels!

            Our family has had so many wonderful experiences throughout the children’s soccer career and we thank LFSA for being such a great community-based soccer club, offering top training and development from experienced coaches.

            We LOVE soccer!

            Sincerely,

            Kathy and Roman Lipp

Hey Oktay!

"Growing up in Lake Forest, I played on LFSA teams for 7 years- U8 through U14!  I was lucky enough to have Oktay as my coach for many of the years and I was also lucky enough to be on a great team where we were learned how to play good soccer while also having fun. Over the years, Oktay has helped me develop my skills and he has continued to guide me and train me even after I moved on from LFSA  in high school.  Because most of my LFSA team were from the same community, many of my teammates - even those who aren’t playing soccer anymore- are still some of my closest friends  I am really thankful for LFSA - for helping me become a better soccer player and for always supporting me!"

Thanks
Rachel Quon

5/27/2009

Congratulations to our very own Rachel Quon for winning this most prestigious of High School awards. Do you recognize her on the left?  Shown with Oktay, Nicole Lipp(Illinois Gatorade finalist!) and fellow teammates Lauren and Annie.

Click here for press release

Click here to see Rachel on the Gatorade website

 Coach Tim & Coach Oktay,