Ben Lodewyk is heading back to the Class 1A boys soccer state semifinals, but not in the same role as the last time he played at Normal’s Corn Crib.
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The Timothy Christian senior booked a return trip to the state tournament when he scored the decisive goal Monday, Oct. 27, in the Trojans’ 2-1 victory over Latin in the Benedictine University Supersectional in Lisle.
Lodewyk’s chip-in into a wide-open net came off Mitchell Evenhouse’s assist with 13 minutes, 37 seconds remaining and gave the Trojans (17-4) a 2-0 lead in their rematch with the Romans (22-3). Latin won the Oct. 6 meeting 2-1 in Chicago.
After finishing last season as state runner-up, Timothy will open the semifinals against Urbana U-High, a 2-1 winner over Beecher, at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at the home baseball stadium for the Frontier League’s Normal Cornbelters.
In the first meeting with Latin, Lodewyk was a midfielder, which explains why he has 12 goals on the season despite playing only defense during the postseason.
His journey to midfield actually began last year when Lodewyk was the goalkeeper for one half of Timothy’s 2-0 loss to Columbia in last year’s state final. He made three saves while Michael Bieterman made two. Bieterman did not return to the Trojans this season and new Timothy coach Stephen Fernandes decided to place Lodewyk in the field.
“He can play anywhere on the field,” Fernandes said of Lodewyk. “He was playing forward earlier this year. (He can play) attacking center mid, center back. He can play anywhere.”
Fernandes then named last year’s third-string keeper Noah Marrera the starter.
“In the offseason, we tried to train Noah (at keeper) because coach wanted to put me in the field,” Lodewyk said.
Fernades knew little about Timothy’s lineup under former coach Joe Grit. A year ago, Fernandes was still a student at Wheaton College before accepting the coaching position at Timothy after graduating in the spring.
A hip injury forced Lodewyk to miss nearly a month of the season. When he returned, Fernandes put him at midfielder, but returned Lodewyk to defense for the playoffs. In the supersectional, Lodewyk was a defender with senior Jackson Frankfurt.
“It was definitely a change, I had to get in condition again,” Lodewyk said. “That was a hassle. I’m back now, so I’m happy.”
Lodewyk was involved in Timothy’s first goal against Latin when his throw-in went to midfielder Nathan Bouman. After Bouman missed on his attempt, leading scorer Jimmy Allen settled the ball and buried his 33rd goal of the season.
Twitter @geomwilcox