Newcomer Katherine Perez has a familial connection to the West Aurora girls soccer program.
While Perez enjoys teaming up on the varsity with her older sister, the freshman forward is still as surprised as anyone she has started her high school career averaging nearly a goal a game.
“I just feel like I have an amazing team that I’m connected to and I’m always there to finish the passes,” Perez said. “With my sister here, I also just have more motivation and go and score.”
And score she did Tuesday night. The winner, in fact.
Perez converted in the 51st minute for the only goal, sending the host Blackhawks to a tight 1-0 Upstate Eight Conference victory over crosstown rival East Aurora.
Senior midfielder McKenzie Pearch tallied her sixth assist of the year for West Aurora (7-2-1, 2-0). Sophomore goalkeeper Alondra Cepeda made six saves for the underdog Tomcats (2-6-1, 0-2-1).
Coming off a three-goal effort in Monday’s 6-0 win over Streamwood, Katherine Perez boost her team-best total to nine goals. Junior forward Giselle Perez, Katherine’s sister, has six goals and four assists.
Pearch, meanwhile, described Katherine as a lightning rod.
“She’s a great addition to our team,” Pearch said. “I feel like we look for her a lot, another player we can find and rely on. She works really hard on offense and defense. She’s all over the field.”
Sophomore midfielder Natasha Tapia, who has a team-high nine assists, has formed an instant connection as well with Katherine.
“Any time that I find an open space, she’s there,” Tapia said. “She finishes her shot and is always helping. She never stops chasing the ball and helps defensively and offensively.”
West Aurora coach Jorge Espana was aware of Katherine as the younger Perez sister. But even he wasn’t prepared for her offensive prowess.
“We knew she was coming,” Espana said. “We didn’t know she was going to be scoring so many goals. With her sister, they make a pretty good team. They just tire down the defenders.”
As a sophomore, Giselle Perez picked up a team-high 15 goals. Katherine Perez has flashed remarkable poise, balance and feel for the game, scoring in her varsity debut against Yorkville.
She has never looked back. Equally impressive, she’s new to the forward position. Growing up, Katherine always played defender. Gisele went through a similar positional transition.
“We’ve been playing together ever since I was little,” Katherine said. “We have a good connection in our heads. We know how to play. Every time I have the ball, she’s always there to finish it.
“Or I’m always there.”
Katherine is the third born of the four children. Their parents played the game growing up in their native Mexico.
“We started playing here in local recreational leagues,” Katherine said. “My sister was 6 and I was probably 4. “Ever since, we’ve been there for each other and have been able to play together.”
Competitive intensity has generated some sparks and occasional tension between the two. Interestingly, their personalities go against the grain. The older Giselle is quiet and introspective.
Katherine is brash, outgoing and plays with a chip on her shoulder.
“She’s quieter and I’m definitely more talkative,” Katherine said. “When she gets more comfortable, she’s the same as me. I’ve always wanted to play with her on the same team.
“We couldn’t do that in middle school, so I was so excited when I made varsity right away.”
Her blend of speed, quickness and touch on the ball makes her a bit of a natural.
“I just love this team,” Katherine said. “I’m new, but also I feel Ike I’ve been on the team forever.
“Every touch, every pass, just feels natural — like where I belong.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
