Senior defender Julian Orozco is cut from a different cloth for Elgin.
As one of the Maroons’ central backs, Orozco is tasked with consolidating the defense and helping build the offense. And it all starts with him being the equivalent of a stop sign.
“Normally in soccer, everybody wants to do this thing where they think taking the play and attacking is so good,” he said. “I want to be that one player who doesn’t let them do that.
“I want to be that player that disrupts and stops everything.”
Paced by Orozco, Elgin continued its strong start Wednesday night under new coach James Romano with a 2-0 Upstate Eight Conference victory at East Aurora.
It’s the fourth shutout for the Maroons (4-0-1, 1-0), who have conceded just one goal through five games this season. They have a 17-1 scoring differential.
Erick Magallon said East Aurora (2-2-2, 1-1) did not match Elgin’s intensity.
“We were nowhere near good enough and need to improve immediately in order to salvage something from this season,” Magallon said. “Moving forward, we desperately need to begin playing as a team and not as individuals.
“As a team, we can accomplish great things, as we proved last season.”
Senior forward Olamipo Ajayi and senior midfielder Miguel Navarro scored goals for Elgin. Keyed by Orozco, the Maroons shut down the talented Tomcats.
“Our midfield also plays really tight and doesn’t allow very much passing,” Orozco said. “It really helps out our defenders as well. The play in the back is what makes our play continue.”
Romano, who directed Marmion to a supersectional appearance in 2018, inherited a fast, athletic and mobile team.
Last season, the Maroons advanced to a Class 3A sectional.
“I’ve taught in the U46 elementary system for a long time and I have always known about Elgin,” he said. “I knew about their potential and the quality of the players they had.
“I always knew about Elgin, their potential and the quality of the players they had. Since the first day I got here, I saw the depth they had and the overall talent in the program. We had 120 players come out.”
Orozco said under Romano’s high-pressure style, the defense has optimized the athleticism, speed and furious nature of the back line.
“When we’re playing a high press, I like to be aggressive,” he said. “I like to be on top of the game. If we are winning the game, I like to play back, be more tactical and keep the ball in possession.”
Junior defender Edgar Perez is Orozco’s stylistic opposite.
While Orozco is quick and dynamic, the 6-foot Perez is long and rangy. He uses his frame to neutralize and overpower smaller forwards.
“Definitely, I take advantage of my size,” Perez said. “I see most of the other forwards are shorter, and I take the headers or clear balls.
“I also have long legs. I can win the individual battles.”
Orozco is a three-year starter. Perez is in his second year.
Together, they solidify the back.
“Communication has helped us a lot,” Perez said. “It’s key to our success and how we have done it. We definitely have a good sense of each other. We understand each other.”
The high-pressure style also has paid dividends on offense.
“We really pride ourselves on hard work, like pressing the ball and keeping up the tempo and the high pace,” Ajayi said. “We know our potential but we have to play to it.
“We can’t slack off or take days off. We have to keep the energy up, trust each other, build the energy and keep on winning.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
