Lincoln-Way West senior Justin DeLau enters the season as a key leader on the Warriors’ defensive unit, bringing years of experience and familiarity with his teammates.
A close defenseman, DeLau has played alongside goalkeeper Logan Leahy since youth lacrosse, forming a long-standing partnership that anchors the team’s back line.
“I’ve played with Logan since about second grade,” DeLau said. “He’s always been my goalie for as long as I can remember.”
DeLau praised Leahy’s consistency, communication, and ability to initiate transition play after making saves.
“He’s very vocal out there, and you can always trust him to find the open man,” DeLau said. “Once he gets a save, he gets the clear started right away.”
Individually, DeLau hopes to earn all-sectional honors while helping guide the Warriors to a deep postseason run. The team’s primary objective is to reach the state sectional round, something the program has not accomplished since 2019.
“I think this team can definitely make it to the sectional,” he said. “Once we get there, we just want to keep building.”
DeLau also plans to continue his lacrosse career at the collegiate level through club competition. Inspired by his older brother — who encouraged him to play defense — DeLau became one of the first members of his family to take up the sport and has developed into one of Lincoln-Way West’s most reliable defenders.
