Metea Valley junior Jordan Lange loves to get lost in the moment.
Every sport has its quiet time, but soccer stands apart because scoring is rare. The structure of the sport, however, does allow for spontaneity and freedom of expression.
Call it the game within the game.
As one of the top-rated midfielders in her class, Lange craves those in-between actions.
“I fell in love with the game when I realized, during the time I am out there, anything else going on in my life did not matter,” Lange said. “Good or bad, I just played.
“I have so much fun and I enjoy every moment.”
Those moments have continued this spring for Lange, who is off to a brilliant start for the unbeaten Mustangs (4-0-1) in building off her breakthrough varsity debut last year.
Lange’s goal in the 71st minute Thursday against Glenbard West helped Metea Valley secure the championship of the Wheaton North Kickoff Classic with a 1-0 victory.
She scored six goals and posted two assists in earning all-tournament honors.
Lange’s blend of speed, power, finesse and creativity with the ball sets her apart. She’s also physical and tough.
“I like to play quickly, possess and move the ball,” Lange said. “I am a technical player with moving on and off the ball. I am also very aggressive.
“My strongest qualities are my speed, vision and control with the ball.”
For Lange, the difference in the new season has been a palpable absence.
Older sister Halle, her greatest influence growing up, is now a freshman midfielder at Illinois Wesleyan.
“I always watched my sister play and she was very influential because I saw her having so much fun with the game,” Jordan said. “I wanted to be just like her.”
Even though Halle Lange dealt with injuries last season, her presence and guidance allowed Jordan to flourish.
In her varsity debut, Jordan produced 10 goals and a team-leading 13 assists for a Class 3A sectional qualifier.
Her performance was all the more impressive given the extended competitive layoff she endured during the pandemic season as a freshman.
“The year off during the COVID season made me want to prove to myself I could play at that level,” she said. “I came in with a lot of confidence in my coaches and my team.”
Even with her older sister now in college, Lange is not exactly alone. She has close friends who have witnessed her growth and development.
They know her value to the team, according to junior defender Kaylee Bannack.
“I have been playing with Jordan now for close to 10 years in club and high school,” Bannack said. “Jordan is one of the fastest and most creative players I have ever seen when she has the ball.
“She always knows exactly what she wants to do. Her technical skills are crazy good.”
Senior goalkeeper Julia Straub is the defensive anchor for Metea. That defense-first mindset gives her a unique perspective on Lange’s offensive capabilities.
“Jordan has always been a hard worker,” Straub said. “She strives to improve with every opportunity she gets. She has amazing foot skills and a stellar touch on the ball.
“Her ball control really sticks out — the way she reads the game and the defenders and knows exactly how to get around them.”
Addison Wargo, a senior defender and Metea’s best player in back, goes up against Lange every day in practice.
Their battles are legendary.
“Playing with Jordan is always an eye-opening experience,” Wargo said. “I have never met anyone who is so quick and agile with the ball.
“She gives her all in practice and games and that pushes everyone to do the same.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
