South Elgin’s Matthew Lipp wasn’t going to forget the past or let history repeat itself.
The junior forward blocked out a previous setback to deliver when on a penalty kick.
“In our game Tuesday against East Aurora, the goalkeeper made a good guess and he saved my penalty,” he said. “I wanted to redeem myself. I knew I wanted that shot.
“I knew once we got to that penalty, I was going to take it. I wanted to be the man who put us up.”
Indeed, Lipp converted on a penalty kick in the 74th minute Thursday night to complete the Storm’s comeback for a 2-1 Upstate Eight West victory over host Streamwood.
Junior forward Alan Munoz scored the tying goal in the 62nd minute for South Elgin (7-1-1, 1-1) off the rebound of a shot by junior forward Adam Kiel.
Senior forward Josue Lopez converted a penalty kick in the 22nd minute for the Sabres (2-5, 0-2).
Kiel had the first choice of taking the penalty kick after he was fouled in the box, but he willingly turned that opportunity over to Lipp.
“I’ve seen him take penalties in the past and he needed his comeback after the last game,” Kiel said. “He’s our main forward up top and he’s the one who makes everything happen for us.
“He’s fun and electric and he’s very good at keeping possession or taking shots from far. I’m always very happy to be around him.”
Last season, Lipp produced six goals and an assist playing midfielder. With his shift to forward, he has already matched that scoring total with his game-winning goal.
“Honestly, it’s just my mentality this season and all the hard work I put in the summer, I think that is really showing off,” Lipp said. “I’m really progressing.
“I always played the middle, but now they want me just to stay up top. Once I’m there and can open up, that also opens up the game for my teammates.”
Lipp, who’s nearly 6-foot-1, has ideal size and physical presence to strongly influence and anchor the attack. He’s raw and new to the position but is learning on the go and has a high ceiling.
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“I think he sees the potential of what’s going on here,” South Elgin coach Jerzy Skowron said. “He wants to be a bigger part of that. We’re still teaching him how to play the forward spot.
“I think he’s embracing the role of that primary goal scorer. I think he has all the talent in the world and the question is how do we unlock it to the best potential possible.”
Every game is a chance for Lipp to sharpen and develop his scoring instincts. Scoring is a skill, an attitude, a state of mind built off confidence.
“The biggest adjustment to playing forward for me quite frankly is shooting,” he said. “I’m not scared to shoot or anything. Sometimes, I’ve turned down some of those chances.
“I’ve had to remind myself to shoot.”
His parents are from Poland, where the game is a national obsession. He started playing organized soccer at age 8.
In his free time, Lipp looks into designing shapes and forms. The creativity marks its own translation, reflecting how he plays on the field and develops his own style.
“I love to draw and I feel like that creativity shows up on the field,” he said. “You definitely get a hint of that creativity. I like to draw unique pieces and stuff.
“I’m a serious person when I’m on the field. You have to give 100% or I’m going to say something. At the end of the day, all I want to do is win and play for my team.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.