Growing up, Lincoln-Way Central’s Jules Rafacz was determined to break away from her family’s soccer tradition.
Rafacz’s older brothers, Eddie and Derrick, were both soccer stars for the Knights. The siblings would also all watch their dad, Martin, play the sport in men’s leagues when they were young.
But Jules turned her attention elsewhere — at least for a while.
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“I started playing soccer when I was 3 or 4 years old, but I always told myself I didn’t like it,” Rafacz said. “I wanted to be different. I wanted to be that professional gymnast.
“But I ended up getting hurt doing gymnastics and I was like, ‘Soccer it is.’ I always looked up to my brothers and they pushed me to be better.”
Now, Rafacz is following in their footsteps and adding to the family legacy.
The junior midfielder added an exciting chapter to that story Tuesday night, scoring two goals to lead Lincoln-Way Central to a 4-0 win over Lincoln-Way West in a Class 3A Andrew Sectional semifinal in Tinley Park.
Sydney Zale and Malorie Boyce also scored for the Knights (18-2-1), who broke open a game that was 0-0 at halftime. Flynn Meyer made two saves for the shutout, getting plenty of help from a defense led by Ella Forystek, Jolie Kolosh, Aly Sudkamp and Millikin recruit Taylor Watt.
Top-seeded Lincoln-Way Central will take on sixth-seeded Sandburg (10-7-3) — which advanced with a 2-1 win over third-seeded Lincoln-Way East (15-5-1) by virtue of a 6-5 decision in eight rounds of a shootout — at 5 p.m. Friday in the sectional championship game.
“It’s really exciting to keep going with these girls,” Zale said. “Scoring a goal meant a lot to me because I’m not usually the one scoring. Then to see the whole team take off from there was great.
“It was definitely a memorable playoff win.”
Skyler Zahorik made four saves for fourth-seeded Lincoln-Way West (16-5-1). Riley White had the Warriors’ best scoring chance with a shot off the crossbar.
After Zale broke the scoreless tie just over five minutes into the second half, Rafacz added two goals in a span of just over two minutes to bust it open, upping her season total to 17.
Rafacz’s first goal came on a free kick from 25 yards.
“Warming up, you can kind of just feel if it’s going to be a good day with the shots,” Rafacz said. “This past week, it’s been feeling good. So, I was like, ‘All right, I can do this.’
“I’ve gotten confident with taking free kicks and corner kicks as the year has gone on.”
Lincoln-Way Central coach Breanna Bembenek watched her team take off in the second half, with Rafacz helping lead the way.
“Jules plays the game really well,” Bembenek said. “She sees the field well. It’s her and an entire combination of players on the field who play so well together.
“When they do click, it’s fun to see it happen and see what they’re able to do. It’s good soccer.”
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Rafacz is always on the attack for the Knights. She even feels that she’s too aggressive at times.
“I’m hungry,” she said. “I’m always looking to get down the line and I want goals. I will say that sometimes it can be selfish. I’m ripping from 25 yards out when a pass might be a better option there. That’s something I’m still working on and it’s honestly one of my weaknesses.
“But I always want to create something, either for myself or a teammate, and give my team a spark.”
It’s something the Rafacz family has been doing for a long time for Lincoln-Way Central soccer.
“I always enjoyed going to my brothers’ games and watching them,” Rafacz said. “It was always a fun thing for me to do. It taught me a lot about the game and about character.
“I wear No. 17 for them because we’ve all worn it. It’s special to share this with them.”