Junior midfielder Matthew Lipp underwent a personal transformation this season for South Elgin.
Like a sculptor, Lipp worked on creating the chameleon, bending and conforming his clay to fit into the classic mold of a scorer and creator. And through it all, his artistry shined for the Storm.
“I played multiple positions, even some I personally don’t like,” Lipp said. “But when you’re playing on such a high-level team and all the boys are working together, it makes everything easier.
“The team flows so well I can be put anywhere and it’ll still work.”
Lipp, the 2025 Beacon-News/Courier-News Boys Soccer Player of the Year, worked wonders while taking South Elgin to unprecedented heights in the program’s 20th anniversary season.
In 2006, in their first year of competition, the Storm lost every game they played. They entered this season with only one regional championship in program history.
South Elgin’s Matthew Lipp (9) and Streamwood’s Andy Benitez, right, collide during an Upstate Eight conference game in Streamwood on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
Lipp emerged by scoring 17 goals with a team-best 13 assists as South Elgin (22-4-1) earned its first sectional title. He validated his increased roles on offense and as a leader.
Success stripped apart from team achievement is an empty exercise.
“I mean, it means everything to me,” Lipp said. “Playing the sport, I give everything I have. The friends I’ve made, everybody on that team, I just want to play for them and win every single game.
“It means so much to be their leader and take them under my arms. It’s a great feeling.”
South Elgin’s Matthew Lipp (9) heads the ball in front of Streamwood’s Adrian Chavez (14) during the second half of an Upstate Eight Conference game in Streamwood on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
The 6-foot-1 Lipp always had the physical tools and presence on the ball make an impact.
“Converting him to a more offensive threat was a challenge,” South Elgin coach Jerzy Skowron said. “He came into the season ready and poised to embrace it. He knocked it out of the park.”
The personal success begat a level of confidence that everyone around him noticed, according to senior defender Jack Schmidtke.
“He’s very confident in himself, but not in a cocky way,” Schmidtke said of Lipp. “I’d word it that he has a very positive and strong mindset level.
South Elgin’s Matthew Lipp (9) and Streamwood’s Adrian Chavez (14) battle for the ball in the first half of an Upstate Eight Conference game in Streamwood on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
“It was the kind of mindset that you want a player to have, and this ability brought him great success as a player and captain of our team.”
Lipp’s double-figure assist total underscored his open and unselfish style of play. Even his mother, Violet Komperda, got on him about being more aggressive in looking for his shot.
“She’s got that Polish blood in her and she has always pushed me to be the best player I could be,” Lipp said. “Growing up, she’d tell me stories about her father and what a great player he was.
“I wasn’t scared of scoring, but I could never quite pull the trigger. This year opened up for me. Over the summer, I got more confident and started scoring goals. I’m grateful I was able to produce.”
South Elgin’s 2-0 loss to Glenbrook North on Nov. 4 in the Barrington Supersectional was likely his last in a Storm uniform.
He’s leaving at the semester break to start a new chapter with FC Dallas Academy.
South Elgin’s Matthew Lipp (9) scores on a penalty kick against Streamwood during the second half of an Upstate Eight Conference game in Streamwood on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
“I want to play Major League Soccer,” Lipp said. “I’m also open to playing in college. There is a lot of thinking to do. Soccer is my whole life. I dedicate my full 100% to it.
“I’m always going to do my best for the sport because it holds a special place in my heart.”
Regardless of the next step, Lipp has remarkable memories of his time with South Elgin.
“The journey was beautiful,” he said. “I wish I could relive it. It was one of the most fun seasons I’ve ever had — being part of that team and winning the games we won.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I’m so grateful it happened.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
