Waukegan senior forward Oswaldo Lopez is ready to take his shot.
Lopez is also confident that will be a better shot this season. He suffered an ankle injury during the Bulldogs’ 2-1 loss to Highland Park in the Class 4A regional quarterfinals last October, which ended a frustrating season for him.
“I wasn’t sure what I was looking for last year,” Lopez said. “Looking back, I think I could’ve done better for myself. I could’ve had more opportunities come up. I blew some of them with my shot placement because I was nervous. I would get crowded up and then couldn’t shoot because I had no options. This year, I learned to create more space to get open and shoot.”
Lopez, who had five goals and 10 assists last season, is one of five returning starters for a team that could vie for the North Suburban Conference title. Coach Julio Farfan said Lopez is also a leader for the Bulldogs (4-11-2, 1-5-1), who have a group of “super sophomores.”
“Last season didn’t finish the way he wanted it to,” Farfan said. “He’s excited for this season. He’s a captain again and had a really good summer camp and training camp. He looks ready to go.”
Senior midfielder Anthony Martinez said Lopez is the ideal captain for the Bulldogs.
“Oswaldo is a great leader on and off the field,” Martinez said. “He leads our team with respect and integrity. Waldo is also one of the top players on the field, with him leading our attack and creating chances for himself and for our team to score goals.
“He also has a great personality and is always making the team laugh and having a great time, which helps bring the team closer together.”
Waukegan senior defender Alexander Munoz agreed that Lopez is an inspirational leader.
“Oswaldo pushes everyone to do their best,” Munoz said. “He’s one of the best teammates I’ve played with in soccer.”
Lopez said he thinks he’ll be an even better captain this season.
“I’m excited to be a leader,” he said. “I feel this year I talk more, pass better and communicate more and also move around the field more freely without being told what to do.
“I feel like I’m faster and just better this year. I really practiced my long shots and have gotten really good. I think I’m improved a lot from last year.”
Farfan agreed that Lopez, who said he played in the Chicago Fire FC program when he was younger, has made significant progress.
“His shooting has improved, and he’s more of a distributor now, passing the ball,” Farfan said. “He has gotten a lot better in a lot of aspects. He’s gifted with the ball, especially as a 1v1 attacker.”
Farfan said Lopez has tremendous upside.
“He has all-state potential and the potential to play Division I soccer,” Farfan said. “It was about putting in more work and performing. He’s now got to produce. I think this season he’s going to produce.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
