Enrique Dominguez could have pouted.
Other players, including among the best that Lake Central’s Jereme Rainwater has coached, have responded in that fashion when he has switched their position to defense.
But not Dominguez. In fact, the Indians senior has done the opposite, embracing the change.
“I do whatever I have to do to benefit my team,” Dominguez said.
That’s always been his approach, according to Rainwater, who has coached Dominguez since he was 10.
Dominguez has excelled for the Indians as a center midfielder, including last season when he helped them reach a semistate for the first time since their 2010 state champion.
But this season, Dominguez has been practicing at central defender, pairing with Josh Dulski after the graduation of Ben Klebs, and right defender, where Miguel Palacios graduated.
“Enrique never said two words,” Rainwater said. “We were giving another guy a try, and he wasn’t too happy. Enrique said, ‘If he won’t, I will.'”
Even before his expected move to defense, Dominguez was not one to seek glory. He has plenty of skill, as evidenced by scoring Lake Central’s second goal in its 2-0 win against Munster in a regional final and notching an assist on the Indians’ first goal in their 3-1 win against Chesterton in a regional semifinal.
But his role as a holding midfielder has contributed to allowing other players to post gaudier statistics. Chris Baranowski can make flashy passes out of the midfield and take on opponents with his dribbling. Nikko Kolintzas can go to work with his back to the goal. And Cole Rainwater and Naser Taharweh can put the ball in the back of the net.
“Enrique’s extremely valuable for his teammates, more than they realize,” Jereme Rainwater said. “He cleans up and does the dirty work. He’s a guy who does the stuff that no one wants to do.”
Dominguez doesn’t mind, especially considering he has grown up playing with a chunk of Lake Central’s roster. That familiarity also has eased his transition to defense.
“I’m getting used to the players in the back, but it’s not my first time playing with them,” Dominguez said. “All my life, I’ve been playing with them.
“So forward, winger, midfield, defense, any position, I know our team, and we can adapt to different situations.”
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Dominguez also is part of a prominent sports family. His mother, Sylvia, is the youngest of 13 Maldonado children, and he is a first cousin to former wrestling stars Billy and David.
Dominguez wrestled in middle school, but stopped when he reached high school. He still gets a hard time at family functions.
“They ask me, ‘Why don’t you wrestle?” Dominguez said with a laugh. “I just love soccer too much.”
Even Rainwater has been received good-natured ribbing from members of Dominguez’s family about “robbing” them of a wrestler.
“He’s a great athlete,” Rainwater said. “It comes through every time you watch him play.”
In addition to physical ability, Dominguez also has the right mentality.
“I’m just impressed with his attitude,” Rainwater said.
“Enrique’s going to do the things that it takes for us to win — he’s doing everything he can to make sure his teammates go out on top.”
That means pursuing the loftiest of goals.
“We’re a family, and when you’re a family, you work hard together and fight for each other,” Dominguez said. “If we all fight for each other, with all our talent and mind for the game, a state championship is a definite possibility.”
Twitter @MichaelOsipoff