When sophomore midfielder Ellie Feigl comes off the bench for Lincoln-Way East, an offensive surge often follows in short order.

Feigl brings to the field energy, enthusiasm and a knack for finding the back of the net.

“I’ve fully embraced it,” Feigl said of the reserve role. “I think it’s such a privilege to get out there any chance I can. I know that I’m going to try to have an impact in any moment I can. I’m going to go out there and work hard.”

Feigl has delivered time and again for the Griffins, including in Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Lincoln-Way West in a Class 3A Shepard Sectional semifinal.

With just over two minutes left in the first half, Feigl broke a scoreless tie by scoring her 17th goal of the season. She then assisted on Cami Butler’s goal with six seconds to go before halftime.

Second-seeded Lincoln-Way East (19-4) advanced to take on fourth-seeded Andrew (16-7) — which upset top-seeded Lincoln-Way Central 2-0 — at 4:30 p.m. Friday in the sectional championship game.

“She gives us a spark, and that’s one of the reasons I’ve kept her coming off the bench,” Lincoln-Way East coach Mike Murphy said of Feigl. “People aren’t used to her speed and her shot, so it’s kind of like ‘Ooo’ when she gets out there and surprises people a little bit.

“She’s had some good goals this year. That one (Tuesday) was a rocket.”

Feigl played on varsity as a freshman last spring and earned a starting role by the end of the season.

“I learned a lot last year,” Feigl said. “Just don’t take anything for granted. We always have to work hard and do everything we can. I learned to always be encouraging on the field. Hard work is so important.

“Our whole team really embraces that, and we all go out there and work for each other. We’re all really close.”

Feigl’s goal Tuesday came on a well-placed high shot from 25 yards. She then worked a nifty give-and-go with Butler, taking a pass and beating a defender toward the goal before slipping the ball back to a wide-open Butler in front of the net for a tap-in goal.

It was a huge momentum swing for the Griffins, who added a second-half goal from Julia Chonarzewski.

Butler was not surprised to see Feigl provide the spark.

“I think everybody’s energy on the field really goes up when she comes in,” Butler said of Feigl. “She’s really supportive and really gives a lot of intensity every time she’s on the ball or just playing on the field.”

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Scoring spree: Lemont (17-5-1) scored three times in the first 16 minutes to take the pressure off, then rolled to a 6-1 win over third-seeded Hinsdale South (14-7) in Tuesday’s Class 2A Nazareth Sectional semifinal.

Sophomore midfielder Ella Simpson led the way with two goals and two assists.

“Everything we were firing at the net was going in,” Lemont coach Rick Prangen said. “Some games are like that. It’s good to see that happen at this stage. We scored three early goals, and after that, we did what we needed to do to make sure we finished it off.”

Second-seeded Lemont will take on top-seeded Benet (18-4) at 5 p.m. Friday in the sectional championship game. It’s a rematch of a sectional final from last season, which Benet won 4-1 on its way to a state runner-up finish.

Rival rematch: De La Salle and Marist will also meet in a sectional championship game for the second year in a row, squaring off at 5 p.m. Friday in the Class 2A Kankakee Sectional final.

The top-seeded Meteors (15-3-5), who won last season’s game 2-0, beat fourth-seeded St. Laurence 6-0 on Tuesday behind a hat trick from sophomore forward Kennedi Carpenter. Third-seeded Marist (11-11-3) defeated second-seeded Tinley Park 3-1.

Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.