One way or another, Warren soccer player Kate Mondejar will make headlines.
The junior midfielder was an All-North Suburban Conference honoree last season, when she had nine goals and four assists.
“She’s quick and has got good speed, but one of the things I love about her is she’s fearless,” Warren coach Ryan McCabe said. “There are a lot of times when she might be the smallest player on the field, but she will jump and get headers over taller players. She has a lot of fight and courage.”
Mondejar, the only non-senior among the Blue Devils’ four captains, is also an editor for the school’s newspaper, Scratch Paper.
“Being an editor for our school newspaper has gotten me more involved in people’s lives, including teachers and students,” she said. “It’s carried over into leadership for me, so I can see both sides more clearly and can connect with people.”
Mondejar is already making connections on the field early in the season. She scored two goals, including the team’s first of the season, and also had an assist during Warren’s 5-1 win against Highland Park on Thursday.
A versatile and dynamic attacker for the Blue Devils (1-1), Mondejar can control the middle of the field and take on defenders one-on-one on the wing, complementing all-state senior forward Addison Stanciak, a Saint Louis recruit, and senior midfielder Sofia Ogren.
“This year we want her to take the next step in her being confident in her abilities,” McCabe said.
Mondejar, who moved up a level in club soccer during the offseason, may be well on her way.
“Getting those two goals is a big accomplishment,” she said. “It boosted my confidence more, and I’m more comfortable with my position.”
Stanciak, who had 20 goals and 10 assists last season, said Mondejar has proved to be very reliable in her position.
“Kate’s always checking in and out, looking for the next play before anyone can bat an eye,” Stanciak said. “When I make a run, I have no doubt Kate will do whatever it takes to place the perfect ball.
“We’ve had two years of chemistry building up, and I feel that this year it will really show.”
Indeed, Stanciak and Mondejar showed that against Highland Park. Stanciak, who also had two goals and an assist, set up Mondejar for the tying goal in the 31st minute.
“The two of us are flowing through the top third of the pitch,” Stanciak said. “We’ve had some one-twos passing around the defense.
“Kate’s a dynamic player. I’m excited to see what this year and the rest of her high school career holds.”
Warren senior midfielder/defender Jelly Amezquita praised Mondejar for her nonstop effort.
“Kate is always going to give 110% every second that she’s on the pitch,” Amezquita said. “If she loses the ball, it’s not going to be for very long because she will work her tail off to get the ball back.
“She’s great at getting her teammates involved with the plays but also is very effective and dangerous in 1v1 opportunities.”
Mondejar, who has run cross country and played basketball in previous years, has decided to focus on soccer to become an even more effective player. Cross country was helpful, though.
“Cross country impacted my life in a big way, and I’m so grateful that it bled into soccer,” she said. “I was able to stay in games longer, especially early in my career, because of the cardio and staying fit. As a freshman, I didn’t have to worry about keeping up with the other players or the pace of the games. That allowed me to hone my skills.”
Mondejar said she has more work to do on and off the field.
“My next goal is focusing on getting my name out there and talking to coaches and hopefully getting myself recruited,” Mondejar said. “I think it’s a matter of me staying consistent and reaching out and getting better on my own. It’s like a full-time job.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
