All it took was a simple switch on the soccer field to ignite Stagg junior Bartosz Woznik.
Moving from his usual role as center midfielder to that of a winger — a position that typically gets to play things out wider — brought even more opportunities for Woznik to go on the attack.
“It was my first time playing this way and I feel like it really helped me connect the team,” he said. “I saw the space, and I just decided to take a crack at the goal and hope for the best.”
The best-laid plans were on display Tuesday night.
From his new spot, Woznik smashed home a goal right away in the first half, sparking the Chargers to a 5-0 SouthWest Suburban Conference victory over host Andrew in Tinley Park.
Sophomore forward Adrian Budyn and junior defender Conor Jones also scored goals for Stagg (7-2-1, 2-0). Junior goalkeeper George Kavroulakis made six saves for Andrew (2-8, 0-1).
Junior midfielder George Panou added two assists for the Chargers, including facilitating the goal by Woznik in the 30th minute.
“I love playing with Bart because his soccer IQ is so high,” Panou said. “He always knows what to do with the ball. He has great passing abilities, so he’s a very effective player to play off.”
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Stagg coach Mike Kealy named Woznik a captain during summer training, acknowledging his natural leadership and selfless play.
“He’s just a quality young man who has a super-high character,” Kealy said. “We tweaked the formation. I think he felt stifled in central midfield and maybe there were too many responsibilities.
“We had to change things up.”
Woznik, a two-year starter, has played on the varsity since his freshman season. After using that first year to absorb the game, he settled into a confident, energetic leader.
“I like to play as simple as I can whenever I can, find my teammates and run off them,” he said. “I think I was chosen as a captain to hustle the team up, build a better relationship and chemistry.”
Woznik is part of Stagg’s tradition with players of Polish descent. Born in the south suburbs, he has traveled repeatedly to his parents’ native town south of Krakow in the mountains of Zakopane.
In each of the last two summers, he went there to seek professional playing opportunities.
“It just wasn’t for me,” Woznik said. “I went twice and they turned me down both times. Even though it didn’t work out, it was still a great learning opportunity.”
Polish superstar Robert Lewandowski joining the Chicago Fire has been a big to Woznik, who is just as likely to groove to the great romantic 19th century Polish composer Frederic Chopin.
When he isn’t playing soccer, Woznik can be found playing the piano, where he toggles between performing classical pieces to jazz and rock and roll.
“My father was a church organist and he got me involved with that,” he said. “I think I’m very talented on the piano and that brings a lot of creativity to my game.
“I’m very creative in soccer or music. I create my own songs.”
With soccer and music, sensibility is a driving force. His open-ended approach fits his curiosity.
“I’m a pretty competitive guy and I think soccer has definitely developed that,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to be the best guy out there. At first, you’re not getting minutes or you’re just average.
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“It really is a mentality.”
The goal was Woznik’s second of the season, but moving from a defensive-oriented midfielder to an attacker could be a sign of things to come. Still, playing soccer or music brings out his passion.
“I like to be loud, maybe even a little angry,” Woznik said. “I like to bring the energy. Whenever you get that goal, it just feels amazing.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.