Soccer is just a sport for many high school players, but for West Aurora’s Justin Sadi, it means so much more.
Seven years ago, Sadi and his family moved to America from Burundi in East Africa. While he’s still getting acclimated to a different way of life, he has also found that soccer is his happy place.
“I love playing,” Sadi said. “When I’m here, all of my emotions go away. I just think about soccer. Soccer is the one thing that keeps me away from the other stuff.”
The senior midfielder has four goals and three assists as West Aurora (8-7-2) heads into the Class 3A postseason. His impact on the team is more profound than his statistics, however.
Despite his limited time in the country and the things he carries with him off the field, he’s the heartbeat of the Blackhawks.
“It’s really fallen on Sadi to be that vocal leader constantly,” said Kevin Briars, who’s in his first year as West Aurora’s coach. “That’s a difficult thing to do when you’re asking a high school kid to have high energy.
“They’re, in general, very up and down. He’s able to, despite working and all the other stuff he has on his plate, continue to come here with a positive attitude, energy and lead our group.”
It’s not a responsibility Sadi takes lightly.
“I think mentally it comes from my coaches trusting me and my teammates trusting me to be the leader of the team,” Sadi said. “I just put my mind to it. At home, I just try to be a happy kid.
“My teammates bring the energy to me.”
His teammates recognize Sadi’s contributions for the Blachkawks. Not only is he a talented player, he’s become a respected leader, according to senior forward Asher Lesniak.
“Sadi is definitely a vocal guy, especially in the middle of the field,” Lesniak said. “It helps us stay locked down in the middle and gives us a ton of options up top.
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“He’s always a guy we can depend on. Down late in the game, he’s always there. It’s nice to know we have this solid rock in the middle of the field. He can do it all.”
Briars has always been impressed with Sadi’s intangibles. On the field, however, he’s also the Blackhawks’ motor.
“Energy, energy, energy,” Briars said. “In the middle of the field, he can run. He can go from box to box. He’s not the biggest kid in the world, but he’s very strong.
“His base is very strong. His legs are very strong. He’s able to use his body and protect the ball.”
All of Sadi’s work has put him in lofty company in West Aurora soccer history. His 18 career assists tie him for ninth in the program’s career record books.
He takes great pride in that accomplishment.
“My play is just to get everybody involved in the play, create those chances for them,” Sadi said. “It’s not about me scoring all the time. It’s about other players scoring goals too.”
Briars lauded Sadi’s versatility.
“He does a good job of pushing us forward and always defensively being tough and strong and winning tackles for us in the middle of the field,” Briars said. “He’s got a terrific shot.
“He’s very good at striking the ball. He generally strikes the ball with a lot of accuracy and a lot of pace. He can kind of do it all on the field.”
Being on a team with teammates from Angola, France and Tanzania, Sadi is in familiar company learning a new culture. One thing is for sure, though. Soccer has helped all of it move along.
“I’m still adapting,” Sadi said. “I still have that little accent in me. I try to get everything right.
“This was mainly about a better life.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.