Soccer is a common interest in Warren junior Jacqueline Amezquita’s family.
Amezquita’s older sister Anjelica, a 2025 Warren graduate, played varsity soccer for three seasons, her younger sister and younger brother also play soccer, and her mother coaches soccer.
“My parents met playing soccer,” Amezquita said. “It’s in our blood at this point.”
Amezquita is a defender like her older sister. They played together during the previous two seasons.
“The family is split, with half of us defenders and half attackers,” Amezquita said. “I like being a versatile player. I can fill the role the team needs. I like attacking and going forward and getting a goal just as much as I like tackling and being aggressive.”
Success motivates Amezquita in everything she does.
“I like to build a lot, like Legos,” she said. “Maybe that’s what sparked me to want to maybe be an architect in the future. It’s not the building to me that’s fun, but more about seeing the finished product for me. I made that, giving me a sense of accomplishment.
“I think with soccer, going back and watching the film and seeing I made that tackle or pass, showing I can do that, it powers me to keep going to be the best player I can be.”
Amezquita, a team captain, has helped power Warren (11-3-1, 5-1) to the top of the North Suburban Conference and the top seed in the Class 3A Harlem Sectional in her second season as a starter. The Blue Devils had allowed just 23 goals this season before playing a conference game against Libertyville on Wednesday.
“Jackie has been an absolute pleasure to work with,” Warren coach Ryan McCabe said. “She does all the intangibles you expect from a captain and a leader. She’s very hardworking, has composure and has a high skill level on the field.
“She reads the game very well, knowing when to apply pressure or back up. She can anticipate a lot of plays and keep the other team from attacking and be in the right spot to stop it from forming.”
McCabe said Amezquita is also more outgoing this season.
“It’s been awesome seeing her personality start to show up more,” McCabe said. “She’s been more vocal.”
Amezquita said her older sister helped her do that.
“Jelly showed me how to interact with people,” Amezquita said. “She has a great voice on and off the field. I learned by watching her.”
Warren junior midfielder Elise Weidemann suggested Amezquita has learned well.
“Jackie is able to stay composed under pressure and reads the situation well, knowing when to sit back and when to get into the attack,” Weidemann said. “She’s aggressive and a great communicator, making her an awesome leader.”
Amezquita, who also plays basketball, has impressed senior midfielder Kate Mondejar too.
“Jackie has an advanced IQ level on the field that really dictates the style of play,” Mondejar said. “She really is the anchor of our defense and is tough mentally and physically, making her a fierce competitor and a role model.”
Amezquita, who said she has a 4.0 GPA and is in the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society, takes academics seriously. But soccer, not surprisingly, is important to her.
“I just enjoy going out and playing to my ability,” she said. “With everything going on in my life, soccer is a stress reliever. It’s a completely different world for me. If I’m in a stressful situation, it’s great to go to practice and laugh and be with my friends.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
