Senior forward Nate Blazewski has learned to stop worrying about things for Lockport.
Especially when it comes to scoring goals.
It’s one of the hardest parts of the game to master at any level, but Blazewski had to go against his own impulses when looking to create that type of offense for the Porters.
“Every year since I was a freshman, I had more assists than goals,” Blazewski said with a knowing shrug. “I got yelled at when I was younger for not being more selfish.
More Top Picks Sup Paddle
“When my teammates are open, I am going to be passing the ball or looking for them.”
Blazewski had the look Wednesday, scoring a goal in the 27th minute to spark the host Porters to a 4-1 victory over Lincoln-Way East in a Class 3A Lockport Regional semifinal.
That goal sparked a three-goal flurry in the first half for the seventh-seeded Porters (13-4-1), who will play at 4 p.m. Friday against third-seeded Stagg (15-3-1) for the title.
Afterward, Blazewski didn’t use the moment to flex over his goal.
“You don’t have to be selfish on top or you don’t have to worry about being the star of the show,” he said. “I’m a quiet player, but I am not somebody who wants to play alone.
“I’m here to do my business and go home.”
Blazewski went home happier after also assisting on a goal by senior midfielder Dario Gutierrez in the 47th minute that sent the Porters on the way to their ninth straight win.
Senior forward Caden Udani scored in the 79th minute for the Griffins (9-10-1).
“He’s a great guy to play with,” Gutierrez said of Blazewski. “He has always had a great mentality in the locker room and on the field. He always wants to win and never lose.
“Even at halftime, when we were up three goals, Nate said East was going to come out hard, they’d have the wind, and we had to keep playing hard and not concede anything.”
Blazewski, who combines an excellent burst with a quality first touch and separation speed necessary to create off the dribble, wasn’t willing to concede anything to start the playoffs.
A kicker for the football team, he’s pursuing those opportunities for college. But the three-year starter in soccer wants to extend his playing career as long as possible.
“I felt like not many people knew who I was my sophomore year,” Blazewski said. “I did not have a very successful junior season because I was dealing with a lot of injuries.
“I was playing too much inside my head, and I think that was holding me back. This season, I showed everyone what I could do out there.”
More Top Picks Best Booster Seats For Eating
His play lit a fuse under the Porters. Junior midfielders Ismael Gomez and Rafael Hernandez answered with two quick, follow-up goals.
“He gets everybody motivated and focused for these games,” Hernandez said of Blazewski. “He’s the primary reason of this incredible momentum we are riding.”
The turnaround began in September after Lockport lost a pair of 2-1 games in three days to Stagg and Andrew.
“Even though we lost that game against Stagg, we proved to ourselves we could keep up with good teams,” Blazewski said. “We just needed to click together and relax on the ball.”
Friday will be his final game, one that he looks to play own terms, consistent with a love affair for a sport that he started playing at age 3.
“Winning or losing, I just love being around the field,” Blazewski said. “I love the excitement and the energy. Time is ticking, and the emotions that go into the game are just an amazing thing to be a part of.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.