Junior Enrique Gonzalez has been playing soccer since the age of eight on a park district team — now Gonzalez is a member of the DGS varsity soccer team. Gonzalez knew from a young age that he’s known he was meant to play soccer.

“My cousin invited me to practice with him at one of his practices, and when I stepped on the field, I felt like I was meant to play that sport,” Gonzalez said.

Haydee Garduno, Gonzalez’s mother, attends all of his games and also believes Gonzalez was meant to be on the soccer field.

“He got into it by just [needing to be] involved in a sport. He had a lot of energy when he was younger, so I had to get him in a sport that he could use that energy on … I think soccer has shaped him into a respectful and hard-working kid; It has also taught him a lot of discipline,” Garduno said.   

The skills Gonzalez learned from the sport impact his team on and off the field. Varsity assistant coach Nathan Terry notes Gonzalez’s hard work and dedication as leadership traits.

“He has such a good mentality. He always puts in 100% effort and makes sure his teammates are doing the same. Because of his mentality and effort, he is a big leader on our team,” Terry said.

Gonzalez also feels his leadership skills are impactful on the members of his team.

“I can be a leader on and off the field because I work hard and I make sure that my team is ready to play and that everyone, including me, is working to the best of their abilities,” Gonzalez said.

Garduno is proud of Gonzalez for being a role model for the younger kids to look up to.

“My proudest moment would have to be when he was at a Naperville tournament; he was playing defense at the time. It was the last game before going to the championship game and it was getting very intense. The younger kids from our club were there watching as well.

“I will always remember what one of the young boys said: ‘I am going to tell Coach that I want to play defense and I’m going to be just like Enrique! He is really good!’ Hearing that someone was looking up to him already at such a young age made me feel extremely proud of him,” Garduno said.

Gonzalez is honored to be a part of the varsity soccer team since his sophomore year and has already made a big accomplishment.

“My biggest accomplishment playing soccer was being the lead goal scorer from last year with 9 goals on the varsity team. That was my biggest accomplishment because I was only a sophomore and it made me feel good about myself [in the sense] that I actually am good enough to be playing at this high [of a] level,” Gonzalez said.

“Last year when he won rookie of the year, getting that award was more than just a plaque, it was a testament to all of his hard work, dedication, and love for the sport,” Garduno said.

With already achieving a big accomplishment, Gonzalez hopes to continue playing soccer on a professional team.

“I am trying to go play professional soccer, so I am working towards trying to get to scholarships from D1 colleges. If I keep working and pushing myself to get better, I feel like I can make it as long as I push myself to be the best I can be,” Gonzalez said.

Trying to go professional, Gonzalez faces obstacles that he will have to overcome.

“If I push myself and get a scholarship for soccer it would help my mom financially but also know that I believed in myself to work hard to make my mom proud,” Gonzalez said.

Losing in the regional final against Morton, Gonzalez wins all-regional player.