Brinlee McNabb helps lift Lockport past Andrew

Lockport’s Brinlee McNabb can quickly rattle off the dates without thinking very hard: September 25, 2021 and May 23, 2023. Those are the days when McNabb suffered torn ACL injuries.

The first, in her right knee, cost McNabb her entire sophomore season. The second, in her left knee, came during a regional championship game, ending her junior year early and setting up another long rehab before her senior season.

Despite all the obstacles she faced, the Milwaukee senior defender feels she has come out even stronger.

“I’ll never forget those dates,” McNabb said. “It’s just part of my journey and it makes me want to work harder in the future. You just have to stay strong. You just have to keep going.”

Now McNabb is back to anchor the defense for the undefeated Porters.

She also joined the offensive attack Monday night, scoring her third goal of the season to help push visiting Lockport to a 3-0 win over Andrew in a SouthWest Suburban Conference crossover match at Tinley Park.

Cumberlands commit Meghan Mack and Indiana State recruit Kaylin Klutcharch also scored for the Porters (15-0). Liz Rock and Olivia Luecke combined for the shutout in net, with Rock making three saves.

Kadence Jones made 13 saves for Andrew (10-5-1).

McNabb was cleared by doctors to resume training just a week before Lockport’s season opener.

“I had to work really hard before the season started,” McNabb said. “I had to do a lot to prepare myself. It was difficult, but it paid off.”

Having already been through the process of recovering from a torn ACL once, it was easier for McNabb to get through this time.

“I felt pretty confident about it because of the way I came back last time,” McNabb said. “You can’t really think about it. You just have to play your game.”

Klutcharch, who plays defensive midfielder, is certainly grateful to have McNabb back in the lineup because she knows McNabb will always have her back.

“She is always reliable,” Klutcharch said. “I never worry if the ball gets behind me because she is always clean on the ball, she always knows how to get it out and she beats everyone when she has to.”

Monday’s game remained scoreless for nearly 39 minutes — thanks in large part to some huge saves from Jones — before Mack scored off a scramble following a corner kick to give Lockport the lead.

“I think it was huge because it definitely changed the momentum going into halftime,” Mack said. “It gave us an energy boost at the end of the half.”

McNabb made it 2-0 just over five minutes into the second half, getting her body on a corner kick from SIU Edwardsville recruit Emma Czech and directing the ball into the net.

“That wasn’t good for me,” McNabb said. “Whatever gets it in the back of the net works. I definitely like to go for it on corners. That’s actually the only way I can score.”

McNabb, Mack, Czech and Green Bay recruit Alyssa Flood led the defense as the Porters recorded their 10th shutout.

With her defense, offense and personality, McNabb is doing big things to help Lockport win, Porters coach Todd Elkei said.

“She is such a great leader and a kid with great character,” Elkei said. ‘We still don’t play her full matches and let her relax a bit because she still has four years of study.

“But she is a dominant player and a hard worker.”

McNabb was a forward in her younger years before being moved to defenseman. There she enjoys being the one to crush the opposition.

“It’s kind of like saving the day,” McNabb said.