Senior midfielder Nathan Lara has had to adjust his mentality this season for St. Laurence.
The Vikings lost much of their scoring punch from the last few years when the 2022 class graduated, including the Daily Southtown’s spring 2021 player of the year in Andres Lemus and all-state honoree Jessie Cardiel.
Lara, a four-year varsity player, knew he would be counted on to provide more offense.
“I’m doing my best to fill their shoes and be the guy that my teammates can rely on,” Lara said. “I wouldn’t describe myself as a goal scorer. I like to set up players more.
“But I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do.”
So far, Lara is doing a fine job in his new role. He has scored six goals in six games for St. Laurence (4-2) after he said he only produced “three or four” goals all of last season.
“I’m not used to it, but this year, the coaches gave me a lot of confidence to get on the ball, ask for the ball,” Lara said. My dad (Oscar) tells me to get the ball 100 times a game.
“I see if I can get the ball a lot. I’m calm with it and know what to do with it, and that relaxes our team.”
St. Laurence coach Jaime Alonso has seen Lara step up in a big way.
“Nathan is a great kid,” Alonso said. “He’s been our motor the last couple years, but now he’s taking a little more of an offensive role. He’s taking that a little more personal, and it’s showing up in the stat sheet.”
Fellow senior Pedro Mendez, who joined the Vikings last season after transferring from Horizon Science Academy, said he heard about Lara before even playing for St. Laurence.
“Nate’s been a big player since he was a freshman,” Mendez said. “Even when I was coming in here, I kept hearing, ‘Nate, Nate, Nate.’ He’s just such a good player and we count on him.”
Lara has been playing soccer as long as he can remember.
“My parents told me I’ve been playing since I could walk,” he said. “My mom (Marisela) said, ‘Oh, I felt you kicking in my stomach.’ It’s just been soccer my whole life. It’s the only sport I’ve played.”
Lara has shared a passion for soccer with his parents. His father, Oscar, played at Curie and has continued with the sport in adult leagues.
“He says he’s better than me, but I watched him,” Lara said. “I don’t think so. He says, ‘That’s my hobby — watching you play soccer.’ I try to play my hardest for him.”
Wildcat wild card: Junior Israel Orozco is making an impact all over the field for Thornton co-op (2-3)
He played forward and scored three goals before moving primarily to defender over the last few games.
“Wherever coach wants me to play, that’s where I’m going to be,” Orozco said. “I’m going to give it my all.”
Orozco is happy to be on the field after injuries sidelined him for much of the last two seasons. Now, he’s ready to play a key role for the Wildcats.
“I just want to lead the team with my mentality,” he said. “Just be an example, always be disciplined on and off the field and just do my thing.”
Bouncing back: After losing the season opener to Shepard in a heartbreaking nine-round shootout, Lincoln-Way Central (4-1) rallied for four straight victories.
The Knights beat Argo 5-0 to win the Windy City Ram Classic consolation championship behind a hat trick from senior forward Nico Espinosa.
“Nico is a big weapon for us,” Lincoln-Way Central coach Dave Brown said. “He has speed and is dangerous with the ball on his feet.”
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
