Oswego East junior Michael Waclaw gets why he’s underestimated on the soccer field.
Waclaw barely topped 105 pounds when he first put on a varsity uniform as a freshman. Now he’s 5-foot-5, 125 pounds.
“Whenever people see someone that is super tall, they think they’ll always win headers,” said Waclaw, a midfielder. “When they see me, they think small and weak. I try not to let that get to me. It’s more important to do well for the team.”
There’s no overlooking Waclaw and the Wolves anymore.
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Going from three wins in 2014 to five last year, Oswego East (14-7-2) this fall matched a program record for wins. Along the way the Wolves won the Southwest Prairie Conference championship and the school’s 100th game.
“We’ve set the standard for future players,” Waclaw said. “It was an amazing season.”
Waclaw, part of a dynamic threesome with junior Manuel Magana and sophomore Ford Frazer, scored 14 goals with eight assists. It brings Waclaw’s three-year totals to 30 goals and 20 assists.
The conference MVP and an all-sectional pick, Waclaw is The Beacon-News Player of the Year.
The smallest player on the Wolves is also their most talented.
“He’s not the most intimidating guy, but the things he does with the ball are just unbelievable,” Wolves coach Steve Szymanski said.
Szymanski calls Waclaw creative with the ball, almost to a fault.
A natural goal scorer, Waclaw seems to prefer selflessly finding opportunities for others.
Of Waclaw’s totals this fall, 11 goals and six assists came in conference play.
“He’s just a very skilled player and very dangerous with the ball at his feet in the open field,” Oswego coach Brian Falli said.
Szymanski admitted that there was much hesitancy to bring up Waclaw as a freshman, primarily because of his size.
He ended up finishing second on the team in goals.
“We really weren’t that good to be honest with you and he was able to do some nice things,” Szymanski said. “I think he was surprised that he fit in so well.”
This fall did not start in the manner Waclaw and the Wolves wanted.
East lost its first three games, giving up 16 goals in the process.
The turning point came against Plainfield North, a conference rival that had had the Wolves’ number. Waclaw recorded a hat trick and assisted on a fourth goal in a 7-5 win.
Surprisingly it wasn’t one of Waclaw’s goals, though, that stand out most to him from that game.
“Arteen Rastis scored his first goal of the season and it was the most important,” Waclaw said. “I never saw someone so happy.”
That reaction is just Waclaw.
“He’s extremely quiet and doesn’t like the spotlight,” Szymanski said. “He’s the type of kid who just plays hard.”
Joshua Welge is a freelance writer for The Beacon-News.
Beacon-News All-Area Boys Soccer
First Team
Ivan Alanis, Plano, senior, forward: Dynamic offensive talent had seven game-winning goals and four hat tricks. Alanis set school records for goals in a season (24), assists in a season (12), career goals (52) and career assists (22). Three-time all-conference selection and all-sectional pick.
Brett Czerak, Aurora Central Catholic, senior, midfielder: Also an outstanding basketball player, Czerak showcased tremendous instinct and athletic ability as a four-year starter. Czerak had 11 goals and 17 assists, finishing with career totals of 29 and 30. Two-time all-conference selection and all-sectional pick.
Angel Escontrias, Kaneland, senior, forward: Four-year starter was leader of youthful Knights team and a gifted scorer. Escontrias scored 14 goals, to finish his career with 46, and dished eight assists. Three-time all-conference selection, two-time all-sectional pick.
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Erik Faessler, Batavia, senior, midfielder: Splitting time between forward and center midfielder, Faessler scored 11 goals with six assists. Two-time all-sectional and all-conference, Faessler finished with career totals of 21 goals and 25 assists.
Manuel Magana, Oswego East, junior, forward: Made a huge leap as a facilitator, going from one assist as a sophomore to single-season program record 17. Magana also scored 10 goals with the game-winner in regional semifinal. All-conference and all-sectional.
Wyatt McKibbon, Yorkville, senior, midfielder: First team all-conference for Northern Illinois Big 12 East champs. McKibbon had 11 goals and 12 assists, finishing with three-year varsity totals of 19 goals and 27 assists. First team all-sectional.
Jose Munoz, West Aurora, senior, forward: Clutch scorer for regional finalists. Munoz, a three-year varsity member, scored 13 goals with five assists in 18 games. All-conference selection and all-sectional.
Giacomo Parrino, Waubonsie Valley, junior, forward: A key piece for Waubonsie (12-8-1), which improved by eight wins and won a regional. Parrino scored game-winning goal and assisted another in regional semifinal. He led Warriors with six goals and 15 assists. All-sectional and honorable mention all-conference.
Bobby Reichert, Yorkville, senior, midfielder: Northern Illinois Big 12 East MVP for conference champions. Reichert scored 10 goals with 10 assists for the Foxes (15-2-2), finishing with three-year varsity totals of 32 goals and 30 assists. All-sectional.
Michael Waclaw, Oswego East, junior, midfielder: The Beacon-News Player of the Year. Also the Southwest Prairie Conference MVP for champion Wolves, Waclaw had 14 goals and eight assists in third varsity season. All-sectional.
Ethan Ytterberg, Metea Valley, junior, defender/midfielder: Two-year varsity player moved from outside back to defensive midfielder. Ytterberg, all-conference and all-sectional, consistently defended top midfielders and won challenges. He scored one goal with one assist.
Honorable mention
Tom Bartkus, Newark, senior, forward; Alfonso Castillo, Metea Valley, junior, forward; Omar Carreno, Oswego, sophomore, midfielder/forward; Jack Cottrell, Geneva, senior, midfielder; Ford Frazer, Oswego East, sophomore, forward; Carlos Gonzalez, East Aurora, senior, midfielder; Trevor Guerra, Indian Creek, senior, forward; John Johnson, Somonauk, senior, forward; John McCaffrey, Kaneland, junior, midfielder; Alex Perales, Hinckley-Big Rock, senior, midfielder; Oscar Rodriguez, Aurora Central Catholic, junior, forward; Sergio Simental, East Aurora, senior, midfielder