For the first time, Edwin Diaz is playing high school soccer for Reavis after spending his freshman year exclusively playing club with the Chicago Fire Academy.
Diaz, a sophomore midfielder, is getting his shot to start on varsity right away.
And he’s having a blast.
“It’s been a fun trip so far,” Diaz said. “I really love this team. It feels like I’m a part of a family. The most fun thing was just meeting new people and becoming a family and just getting to play the game I love with them and getting to play for my school.”
Diaz had a memorable night Tuesday. He scored his first career goal — then added a second one — to lead the visiting Rams to a 5-1 South Suburban Red victory over Shepard in a game that was shortened due to lightning in Palos Heights.
Jaythan Araujo finished with a goal and two assists for Reavis (4-2, 2-1), which pulled away in the second half after trailing 1-0 early and going into halftime tied 1-1.
Xavier Arroyo and Erik Romero also scored for the Rams. Nathan Melecio scored the goal for Shepard (1-7-1, 0-3-1), while Younis Isifan made seven saves.
Diaz, meanwhile, broke a 1-1 tie in spectacular fashion with just over 35 minutes left to play. After the ball popped high into the air, Diaz volleyed it on the way down and ripped in a 30-yard shot for his first high school goal.
“I saw the ball in the air and I just thought, ‘Maybe why not have it?’” Diaz said. “You have to take shots to score. That first goal, it’s an exciting moment. I feel like you have to cherish it.
“But at the same point, you have to keep your composure and you can’t let it go to your head.”
Diaz tacked on his second goal five minutes later on a shot from 15 yards. It was Reavis’ fourth goal in the first 10 minutes of the second half.
“The halftime speech by our coach always gets us,” Araujo said. “It was the same thing the last game against Bremen (a 3-1 win). We came out strong in the second half and we did the same thing this game.”
After being stopped due to lightning with just under 30 minutes to go, the game was eventually called a final.
Diaz, who was excited to break through for his new team, has been motivated to prove himself.
More Top Picks Best Under Counter Fridges
“When you start and they’re like, ‘Oh, he’s a sophomore,’ I feel like you have to work even harder to show to the juniors and seniors that you belong,” Diaz said. “I feel like I’ve earned my spot now and getting these goals, I know I can do that more and I can contribute a lot the rest of the year.”
Reavis coach Mark Gniadek confirmed that Diaz has fit in quite well with the team.
“It’s his personality,” Gniadek said. “He’s an easygoing guy. He works really hard. He’s likeable. He’s a great teammate. That all makes it easier to join the bunch, especially when you’re talented.”
Araujo has certainly been impressed by Diaz.
“He’s a really good player,” Araujo said. “He’s a good attacker, a good defender and he knows how to distribute the ball.”
Soccer has been Diaz’s passion since he was 3 years old.
“My dad (Eduardo) played soccer when he was my age,” Diaz said. “He got me into it. We always talk about the games. Talk about what I can improve on. We watch film. It’s fun sharing it with him.”
Gniadek believes Diaz is just getting started on making a difference for the Rams.
“He’s super talented,” Gniadek said. “The way he moves on offense is great. He always finds the space. The goals are going to come. He’s getting in the right positions and he has all the talent to score goals, so hopefully these will be the first of many.”