Jordan Easterling left soccer for two years, choosing instead to play football at Marist.
Returning to the soccer field this fall, Easterling is attacking the game with a new sense of bravery that comes from being a wide receiver making catches with defenders barreling down on him.
“Football made me way hungrier,” Easterling said. “It made me not fear anything on the field. It made me faster, more athletic, everything.”
The senior midfielder showed that off Wednesday night, scoring in the first half as host Marist topped Marian Catholic 2-1 in an East Suburban Catholic Conference game in Chicago.
Tommy Doherty delivered the game-winning goal for the RedHawks (6-4-1, 2-1). Roberto Ayala and Jack Heidemann each had an assist and Joe Lieber made five saves.
Antonio Ferreira converted a penalty kick for Marian Catholic (7-6, 1-2) after Isaac Gutierrez Jr. drew a foul in the box, while Matthew Gonzalez finished with five saves.
Easterling played soccer for Marist as a freshman before walking away to take his shot at football.
His passion for soccer was still there, though, and he came back to the sport to play for a club team this spring and summer before making the decision to give up football and return to the RedHawks’ soccer team.
“I just missed the sport too much,” Easterling said. “I’ve been playing club for a little bit and I had to come back and play high school soccer one last time. I just love it. I love Marist soccer.
“I love what we do and I love where we’re going right now.”
Easterling said he’s benefitting from the extra strength he gained while playing football.
“I needed some muscle,” Easterling said. “We’d lift every day, so I like the shape I’m in now. I’m way stronger.”
On his goal, Easterling showed his willingness to charge at an incoming goalkeeper as he took a pass from Ayala and dribbled around Gonzalez before finding the open net.
“I saw the way they were lined up and I was like, ‘Oh, I can beat this back line,’” Ayala said. “The whole game, I was like, ‘Nobody’s sticking me.’
“I saw the ball go through — I saw the goalie come out. I just took a touch, made sure I was in control and finished.”
Marist coach Sean Maxwell believes Easterling is just scratching the surface of his potential after being away from the sport for so long.
“He’s been very coachable,” Maxwell said. “We’ve talked about colleges. He might play at the next level, and I think he has that ability.”
Doherty delivered the game-winner, breaking a 1-1 tie with 9:35 left by heading in Heidemann’s corner kick.
Easterling, meanwhile, said his teammates have long been pushing for him to join them once again. He scored his fourth goal of the season.
“I played with some of these boys my freshman year and they’ve been telling me, ‘Jordan, come back, come back,’” Easterling said. “I had to do it one last time with them. I want to do something special this year.”
Doherty was one of those teammates with Easterling as freshmen. He’s sure glad to have him back.
“We’ve missed him a lot the last two years,” Doherty said. “Having him back makes a real difference, speed-wise, his skill, everything.”
Maxwell knows Easterling is a game-changer.
“He’s an exciting player,” Maxwell said. “He’s obviously a fantastic athlete. Being away from soccer for a couple years, you wonder if he’s going to lose some of it. I’m sure there are little things with his touch and so forth that he’s still working on getting back.
“But when you’re a pure athlete like that, you’ve got some God-given gifts and he puts them into action.”
