Early in game Wednesday night, Stagg’s Conor Jones was exasperated. The junior midfielder couldn’t convert on a point-blank shot, with regret instantly showing on his face.
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From that point on, saving face became part of Jones’ plan.
“I didn’t get wide enough on the shot and the keeper did a great job of getting down on the ball,” he said. “I should have finished it, but I put that memory in the back of my head.
“I knew every time after that, I wanted the ball back.”
Jones got what he wanted. He got the ball back and produced, coming up with two goals and an assist in powering the Chargers to a 3-1 SouthWest Suburban Conference victory over visiting Lincoln-Way Central in Palos Hills.
Junior forward Victor Czajkowski scored the first goal off a feed from Jones to spark Stagg (13-4-1, 6-2). Senior defender Charlie Hrebic scored in the 66th minute for the Knights (10-5, 5-3).
Jones’s second goal in the 70th minute secured the conference championship for the Chargers, who won the tiebreaker over Lincoln-Way East by virtue of a 2-1 victory on Oct. 1.
The catalyst proved to be Jones setting up Czajkowski for the goal in the eighth minute.
“He could really play anywhere in the midfield,” Czajkowski said of Jones. “He covers a crazy amount of ground. He did a great job finding me in the back post with that pass.”
“The ball,” Jones said, “just found me.”
Junior midfielder George Panau delivered a sharp cross in the 45th minutes to Jones, who scored on a header for a 2-0 lead.
“I’m always looking for him in the box,” Panau said of Jones. “I know I can trust him. You can’t play any better than that, two goals and an assist in a conference championship game.”
Jones, a defensive-minded central midfielder, scored his third and fourth goals of the season. But he’s a vital connective thread linking the back line with the attacking third.
“I think my game is just controlling the middle,” Jones said. “I don’t have an ego. I could score zero goals on the season and it would be cool. I just want what’s best for my team.”
At nearly 6-foot, Jones has the size, agility and instincts to operate as an offensive threat and the physicality of a disruptive stopper. Last year in his varsity debut, he searched for his role.
It took him most of the season to shape that identity, but Jones showed steady improvement and started for the Chargers during the playoffs. The carryover to this season has been telling.
“I think it just took me a little bit to find my footing,” Jones said. “I found my spot. I’ve gotten more involved with the offense and that has helped me stay on the field.
“I also have the defensive ability to cover for people and help in the middle.”
His father played basketball in college at Trinity in Hartford, Connecticut. By his own admission, Jones never took to that game. But he picked up his dad’s zeal, intensity and effort.
Growing up, Jones loved watching soccer with his father. Starting organized soccer at a young age, he discovered the open flow and rhythm of the game allowed him to create his own style.
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Shy by nature, Jones feels soccer has brought out a different dimension of his personality.
Now, he’s preparing for the biggest stage. Stagg, the second seed of the Class 3A Lincoln-Way East Sectional, begins regional play Monday against host Rich Township.
“I’ve been playing the game from a very young age,” Jones said. “I think it’s just awesome to go out and compete. Every practice, every game, is a chance to go up against people.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.