Senior midfielder Jan Bednarz was happy to be soaked and freezing Thursday after Stagg’s victory over Andrew.
Bednarz scored both goals for the Chargers in a 2-0 win, an offensive breakthrough for a player who has led Stagg all season with his unselfish play but who had just one goal going into the Andrew game.
His teammates were so happy for him that they dumped a jug of ice water over his head.
“That was fun,” Bednarz said. “All my friends on this team, we’ve been playing together since day one and I love playing with them.
“I feel like in the beginning of the season, I was kind off with my game. Now I’ve got back into rhythm.”
Stagg coach Mike Kealy does not quite see it that way.
“I don’t think he’s been off his game,” Kealy said. “We rely on him so much. He’s been the lone senior starter all season, and he’s done a dynamite job. He does so much for us even when he’s not scoring.
“He scored a big goal against Sandburg and now two (against Andrew), so he’s coming through for us in big games.”
A three-year varsity player, Bednarz is the veteran leader for the young Chargers (6-1-3).
“He’s kind of quiet, but he lets his actions and his play do the talking,” Kealy said. “I’m hoping the younger players will follow his lead and carry it forward.”
Bednarz said getting to play a big role for the Chargers as a sophomore helped him grow into the player he is as a senior.
“It’s been a really good experience for my development as a soccer player,” he said. “I think it really helped me throughout my years and it’s going to help me in college, too.
“I’m definitely planning to play in college. I don’t know where yet.”
Bednarz feels he is a different player now than when he was younger.
“I think I’ve improved a lot,” he said. “I have better composure in front of the goal, better dribbling, better off-the-ball movement. I’ve worked on all that and improved it over the years.”
Kealy has seen Bednarz continue to take strides through hard work, both on and off the field.
“He finds a way to be effective,” Kealy said. “He’s a team player, for sure. He gained confidence from his sophomore year to now. He’s put a lot of time in during the offseason and has gotten stronger.
“He’s not the biggest guy, but he’s learned how to use the strength he has very effectively.”
Bednarz wants his Stagg career to end with a big playoff run.
“I hope we go far this year because it’s my last year,” he said. “We haven’t won a regional since 2014. I want to win something before I leave, and leave a mark.”
Caravan road trip: Mount Carmel traveled over the weekend to Burlington, Iowa, for the Great River Classic and went 2-1.
The Caravan lost 3-0 to eventual tournament champion Marquette from Wisconsin, which is ranked No. 6 in the nation.
Mount Carmel came back with a 2-0 win over Peoria Notre Dame and a 4-3 victory over Quincy Notre Dame.
“I think it was a great experience for our team,” Caravan coach Antonio Godinez said. “We had never beaten Peoria Notre Dame, and we played probably our best game against them.
“I like to see our guys challenged, and I think you come away from a tournament like that as a stronger team.”
Rivalry revenge: Southland Conference rivals Bloom and Thornton co-op have played two classic games this season.
After Bloom won 4-3 in overtime Sept. 14, Thornton earned revenge Thursday with a 3-2 win in penalty kicks.
“We’re coming together as a team, and hopefully we’ll play our best at the end of the season,” Thornton coach David Gonzalez said.
Steve Millar is freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
