Senior defender Cade Valek is an essential part of Waubonsie Valley’s back line.
However, whenever there’s a set play on the offensive end for the Warriors, the 6-foot-7 Valek makes sure that he’s available and right in the middle of the goal-scoring mix.
“Corner, I’m up there right away,” Valek said. “I’m always excited. I’m just taking advantage of every opportunity I’ve got, making the most of it. I’m having a ton of fun.”
Valek put his height and skill to work Thursday for host Waubonsie in a 1-0 nonconference victory over Marmion in Aurora.
With 11:44 left in the second half, Valek headed a corner kick from Lachlan Ladd off the crossbar. The ball bounced off the bar and the back of Marmion goalkeeper Adam Ozsvath into the net.
Marmion (0-1) had 10 shots on goal, six coming from returning all-state midfielder Giovanni Magana, but couldn’t get the equalizer. Ladd landed three shots on goal for Waubonsie (1-0).
Having the tallest player on the soccer field is never a bad thing, and Waubonsie coach Jose Garcia plans on utilizing Valek in as many ways as possible this season.
“He’s a threat in the air, that’s for sure,” Garcia said. “We’ll definitely try to take advantage of that as much as we can. He does it all. He’s good on the attack. He’s good in the air. He’s good with shots. He’s the kicker for our football team. He’s an overall athlete.
“I think whatever he put his mind to he would succeed.”
Indeed, Valek kicks for the football team and will be a key player in basketball this winter as well. His future lies on the soccer field, though, with a commitment to Alabama-Huntsville.
While goals off set plays will be an added bonus this season, Valek’s work on defense ultimately matters the most to Garcia.
“He’s our brains,” Garcia said. “He’s our body in the back. Without Cade, that back line just falls apart. And we have a great back line, but he just takes it to the next level.
“That’s how important he is and how much we need him on the back line.”
On the winning goal, Valek lined up alongside other tall players for Waubonsie in Tristan Mehra, Amiel Nichani and Gabriele Pizzo just like he has done in practice.
“We have a lot of size,” Valek said. “We’ve been working on those set pieces. It was just one of those things. Let’s just do what we’ve been practicing and score a goal.
“I hit the crossbar and it went down and hit the goalie and it went in. I live for those. Those are my favorite things.”
Marmion proved to be a formidable opponent, however, taking things down to the final seconds. It was the season opener for both teams, but the second half had the feel of a postseason game.
“I just told the boys, it was awesome,” Marmion coach Gerardo Alvarez said. “Both teams competed. It was an evenly matched game. Both teams had chances. They made a play and we didn’t. That’s what it comes down to. The result is the only disappointing part of the game.”
And it’s just the start of what figures to be a busy senior year for Valek.
His first priority, however, is with the soccer team.
“This is fantastic momentum, just building blocks,” Valek said. ”We want to go up from here.”
Garcia is excited to see what’s in store for him.
“We’re going to enjoy him as much as we can,” Garcia said of Valek. “He’s a great kid, and I’m looking forward to what he can show this season.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
