Julian Gaona, Brother Rice beat Mount Carmel
Julian Gaona of Brother Rice felt time slowing down. And every ball at his foot was pure and clean.
The second-year forward mustered every bit of his talent, drive and inspiration Tuesday night for a near-perfect 15 minutes of hard-hitting play.
“I looked up and saw the time on the clock and I knew what I was capable of,” Gaona said. “I just needed to get the ball back. I thought if we could score a goal we would be back in the game.”
One was just the starting point.
Gaona ended up scoring three goals during a late-game blitz as the Crusaders rallied for a 4-2 Catholic League Blue victory at Mount Carmel in Chicago.
Sophomore defender Brody Briggs also scored the tying goal in the 68th minute for Brother Rice (5-12-4, 1-4-1).
Senior midfielder Mateo Atilano scored early in the first half and junior midfielder Ethan Lopez followed with a goal in the 57th minute for Mount Carmel (6-7-4, 0-4-2), which looked firmly in control with a 2-0 lead.
For Gaona, a starter for two years, the hat trick was the first of his career. He increased his goal total this season to 12 goals.
“He’s a born and ready player who comes from the heart,” Brother Rice coach Al Perez said. “He falls asleep and dreams of a soccer ball. He could go to lunch and eat the game for lunch.
“Most of the goals we scored this year came when he controlled the ball.”
Briggs pointed out that Gaona’s opening goal didn’t just change the momentum of the game. It brought an energy and a sense of possibility that energized the rest of the team.
“I just told him he needed to know what he was capable of,” Briggs said. “He scored goals in his first year. At times he had a lack of confidence this season with his shots. He has great speed and a great shot.
“That first goal changed our mood. We had a different energy after that.”
A year ago, Gaona joined a team that had reached a Class 2A supersection the previous season and boasted a wealth of experience and savvy. Now all 10 starting players on the field are underclassmen.
“My role has changed a lot,” he said. “I was a starter last year and now I’m expected to be one of the leaders. A lot of our guys depend on me to score, and I’m trying to step up and help us win.
“It’s definitely a challenge. Most of the defenses we face are full of seniors and they’re bigger and stronger. You just have to adjust every game and make the most of what you have.”
By his own admission, Gaona has a calm and relaxed personality. He also showed great promise in youth football as a running back and wide receiver.
Soccer. however, it is what captivates his heart and fills him with a greater sense of joy and accomplishment.
“I’m not very loud but I’m focused,” he said. “My dad introduced me to the game. He didn’t play when I was a kid, but he joined a men’s league later. I went to his games. He had me kick a ball around when I was 2 or 3. I’ve been playing ever since.
“I love the atmosphere: scoring goals, playing with my teammates. I also play at club level, I travel a lot, I make connections and I just have fun with it.”
In a young team where victories were hard to come by, Gaona’s goal brought a deep moment of satisfaction. His goal in the 79th minute sparked jubilation.
“Honestly, I was hungry for that third goal all the time,” he said. “I wasn’t going to stop until the clock hit zero. This season has been a challenge, but adversity will only make us stronger.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
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