Brother Rice’s Julian Gaona felt time slow down. And every ball at his foot was pure and clean.
The sophomore forward brought together every part of his talent, drive and inspiration Tuesday night for a virtually perfect 15-minute stretch of impactful play.
“I looked up, saw the time on the clock and knew what I was capable of,” Gaona said. “I just needed to get the ball. I figured if we could get one goal, we’d be right back in the game.”
One was only the starting point.
Gaona ended up scoring three goals during a late-game blitz as the Crusaders rallied for a 4-2 Catholic League Blue victory at Mount Carmel in Chicago.
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Sophomore defender Brody Briggs also scored the tying goal in the 68th minute for Brother Rice (5-12-4, 1-4-1).
Senior midfielder Mateo Atilano scored early in the first half and junior midfielder Ethan Lopez followed with a goal in the 57th minute for Mount Carmel (6-7-4, 0-4-2), which appeared firmly in control with a 2-0 lead.
For Gaona, a two-year starter, the hat trick was the first of his career. He increased his season scoring total to 12 goals.
“He’s a born and ready-made player from the heart,” Brother Rice coach Al Perez said. “He goes to sleep and dreams of a soccer ball. He could go and have lunch and eat the game for lunch.
“So many of the goals we have scored this year have come when he’s controlling the ball.”
Briggs pointed out that the first goal by Gaona not only changed the momentum of the game. It brought an energy and sense of possibility that energized the rest of the team.
“I just told him he has to know what he is capable of,” Briggs said. “He scored goals his freshman year. Sometimes, he’s had a low confidence this season with his shots. He has great speed and a great shot.
“That first goal changed our mood. We had a different energy after that.”
A year ago, Gaona joined a team that reached a Class 2A supersectional the previous season and enjoyed a wealth of experience and savvy. Now, all 10 of the starting field position players are underclassmen.
“My role has changed a lot,” he said. “I was a starter last year and now I’m expected to be one of the leaders. A lot of our guys depend on me to score, and I’m trying to step up and help us win.
“It’s definitely challenging out there. A lot of the defenses we face are full of seniors and they’re bigger and stronger. You just have to adjust every game and make the most of what you have.”
By his own admission, Gaona has a quiet, laid-back personality. He also showed great promise in youth football as a running back and wide receiver.
Soccer. though, is what captures his heart and fills a greater sense of joy and accomplishment.
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“I’m not very loud but I’m focused,” he said. “My dad got me into the game. He didn’t play as a kid but joined a men’s league later on. I used to go to his games. He had me kicking a ball around when I was 2 or 3. I’ve been playing ever since.
“I just love the atmosphere — scoring goals, playing with my teammates. I play club too, travel a lot, build bonds and just have fun with it.”
On a young team where victories have been hard to come by, Gaona’s goal brought a deep moment of satisfaction. His 79th-minute tally started the jubilation.
“Honestly, I was hungry for that third goal the whole time,” he said. “I wasn’t going to stop until the clock hit zero. This season’s been a challenge, but adversity is only going to make us stronger.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.