Michalowski is up to the challenge for Stevenson

Stevenson junior Lisa Michalowski was a field player for the Patriots’ water polo team last season when goalie Claire Moschovas suffered a tough break.

Coach Jeff Wimer said Moschovas took a “face shot” and suffered a concussion.

“So we were trying to figure out who’s going to be our goalie,” Wimer said. “By mid-April, we decided, ‘We’re going with Lisa. It’s going to be a learning process.’ ”

Michalowski learned quickly.

“In just under one year, Lisa has come light-years,” Wimer said.

Michalowski had 15 saves in a 5-4 loss to Mundelein last Thursday. One of her stops was a penalty shot by Mustangs’ Indiana-bound star Alexis Jones, who then beat Michalowski with another penalty shot.

“She was doing a very good job,” Jones said of Michalowski.

Tylka stands tall: With the scoreboard behind her during the final period of the Mundelein’s 5-4 win over host Stevenson last Thursday, Mustangs goalie Emily Tylka concentrated only on blocking the ball.

She never glanced back. Maybe she didn’t want to know that she and her teammates were protecting a one-goal lead late.

“I just didn’t want to jinx it or anything,” Tylka said with a laugh. “I was keeping focused.”

Tylka doesn’t have Division I height for a goalie — she stands only about 5 feet 8 — but there’s no denying she’s an elite player at her position.

Her strong lower body and quickness make her tough for shooters to beat.

Tylka stuffed or deflected 22 shots against Stevenson.

She played so well that Mundelein coach Drew Schneider insisted that reporters interview her after the match.

Last season, Tylka was named fifth team NISCA/Speedo All-America and was a firs team all-state selection.