Marmion’s Jamin Berman has a high-wattage smile that matches his exuberant playing style.
The junior forward is always on the go and ready to influence every part of the game.
“I just love to play and have the ball come through me,” Berman said after another big game Saturday. “And I always hope for the best. I’m quick, I’m fast and I’m always attacking.
“I am not the type of player to sit back. I always have that attack mindset.”
Berman went on the attack in the Class 2A Marmion Regional championship game, producing a goal and an assist for the host Cadets in a 6-0 victory over Aurora Central Catholic.
Senior forward Jordan Peinado also scored two goals for Marmion (15-5-4), which will play at 6 p.m. Tuesday in a Galesburg Sectional semifinal against Rock Island (11-5-1).
Senior defender Kevin Aguilar, senior midfielder Emilio Morones and sophomore midfielder Jayden Linares also scored goals Saturday for the Cadets.
Senior forward Matthew VanDeman closed out his four-year career with 80 goals, including 21 goals and eight assists this fall for Aurora Central Catholic (11-7-1).
Berman, meanwhile, pushed his goal total for the season to 17, the same number as his jersey. Peinado is the team leader with 21.
“It’s not like a competition between us to see who scores more,” Peinado said of Berman. “We always try to come out with energy and we know we can’t be selfish with each other.
“Jamin has great speed and is able to win balls in the air. Personally, he’s a very funny guy. You see him in the hallway and he’s always happy.”
Morones said that friendship off the field allows for a natural, intuitive connection in understanding their roles in the attack.
“It builds the chemistry,” Morones said. “He goes for goals all the time. He has the mentality that he’s going to score all the time. He’s really fast and very good at turning on the ball.
“He’s always going to be an option for me. He knows how to score.”
In his third year on the varsity, Berman has taken the proverbial leap. Scoring is a skill and a talent, but he has refined that part of his game.
“Scoring in soccer is pretty rare, especially high level games,” he said. “You have to appreciate those chances. I just feel like the team has given me a lot of confidence.
“The coaches have really encouraged me to take people on.”
The 6-foot Berman combines excellent size and a physical presence on the ball with an explosive first step off the dribble. He’s also a point guard in basketball,
In that way, he understands the value of being creative and unpredictable with the ball.
“I’ve been playing ever since I was about 4 or 5 years old,” he said. “I had an aunt who played in college, and she really brought me up and wanted me to play well.
“The other players are looking for me now and they play me the ball where I can be dangerous.”
Berman started fishing when he was younger. He was drawn to the solitude and persistence.
Soccer, however, is the sport that unlocks his personality — turning a natural introvert into somebody who’s engaged and involved.
“When I was younger, I was competitive, but I also used to be really shy,” Berman said. “As I’ve grown, I feel like the shyness has turned into something more outgoing.
“I’m outgoing, I’m energetic and I’m really loud.”
Success, then, becomes an ultimate form of satisfaction.
“I feel like when we score, the whole team celebrates,” he said. “That’s what brings me the most joy. The first time you see me outside of soccer, you’ll see I always have a smile on my face.
“You never see me down.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
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