Bohren Leads Lincoln-Way East to Victory

After a challenging recovery from a broken ankle in spring 2025, Owen Bohren triumphantly returned to the Lincoln-Way East soccer team, scoring 10 goals last season, despite missing the start of the games. Although he struggled initially to fully regain his confidence on the field, Bohren has now made a full comeback.

Bohren expressed his relief and excitement, saying, “It feels great because I can just play to my fullest ability. I don’t have to worry about anything happening again. Last year, I rolled it a lot because it was weak. But now I’m back healthy and it feels amazing.”

As a committed Rhode Island recruit, Bohren has consistently delivered impressive performances throughout the season. He showcased his skill again on Monday night, scoring two goals to secure Lincoln-Way East’s 4-1 win against Lockport in the SouthWest Suburban Conference. Teammates Charles Lungaro and Jacob Broderick also contributed to the victory, snapping a five-game losing streak for the Griffins, currently holding an 11-7 record.

In the game against Lockport (9-5-1), Bohren scored his first goal by slicing through the defense, giving the Griffins a 2-0 lead in the 11th minute. He concluded his performance by adding his 13th goal of the season during the final minute. The coach, Matt Ribbens, praised Bohren’s exceptional talent, noting his ability to surprise and lead the team.

Ribbens commented on Bohren’s dynamic nature, saying, “The little things that he does on the field, sometimes you’ll be like, ‘Oh, that doesn’t make sense.’ And then he’ll just explode and you’ll be like, ‘Oh, OK, maybe it does.’”

Senior forward Lungaro highlighted Bohren’s leadership qualities by stating, “He’s a great leader. Owen’s a great player and he has a good attitude.” Lungaro and others have leaned on Bohren during the team’s rough patches, recognizing his ability to inspire growth and progress.

Bohren’s connection to soccer traces back to his childhood, influenced by his father, Phillip, who played soccer in Europe. This family tradition fostered Bohren’s passion for the sport.

Bohren shared, “My dad was born and raised in Switzerland and he played a lot of soccer over in Europe, so it’s been in my family. I’ve been playing as long as I can remember, and it’s really fun to share the love of soccer with my dad.”

Looking forward to playing at Rhode Island, Bohren is determined to pursue his dreams of playing Division I soccer. His commitment to Rhode Island also connects him with Coach Ribbens, a former player there. Bohren expressed his excitement by stating, “It’s a really fun thing for coach and I. We talk about it all the time. Playing college soccer at a Division I program has been a goal ever since I started high school, so I’m pretty happy for the opportunity.”