Junior forward Mason Aguirre has embraced the concept of change for West Aurora.
The former center midfielder has become the central attacker in the Blackhawks’ three-forward formation, and he has realized something new was the best route to transforming his potential.
“I’ve always been fast and I moved quickly,” he said. “Once I learned I’d be playing the scoring forward or striker this summer, I really started to work on my finishing and my agility.”
Aguirre matched his entire sophomore scoring output in the first half Tuesday night for West Aurora in a 4-1 victory over host Elmwood Park in an Upstate Eight Conference crossover game.
In all, Aguirre scored in the first, eighth and 24th minute to power the Blackhawks (3-0) to a 3-1 halftime lead. It’s the first career hat trick for Aguirre, who has six goals and three assists this fall.
Senior forward Power Selemani assisted on Aguirre’s first and third goals and senior forward Pedro Delgado set up Aguirre’s second goal. Junior midfielder Carlos Gracia Sheets added a goal in the 69th minute goal.
Selemani said Aguirre has the situational awareness and versatility to play anywhere.
“Since Mason played as a midfielder, he knows when to check back in and make the runs forward,” Selemani said. “I can trust him when I pass him the ball that he is going to do the right thing. We did the same thing in the last game.
“I told him on the first play of the game to just go at it fast and try to score that first goal.”
The 6-foot Aguirre has the size to play in the air along with the speed, quickness and explosiveness off the edge to create separation in space.
“I ran track and cross country when I was in middle school and that has always translated to soccer,” he said. “Now that I’ve made the position switch, I can outpace defenders really well.”
In a sport where chemistry and cohesion optimizes the disparate offensive parts, Aguirre is the perfect complement to the explosiveness of Selemani and the control and poise of Delgado.
Senior midfielder Pacifique Ndayishimiye has noticed the difference.
“From the get-go, the three of them just clicked,” Ndayishimiye said. “Mason’s best quality is his strength. He can hold a player up, get that one touch through, and defenders can’t get around him.
“He has really been finishing and passing well.”
Aguirre is the third oldest child in a family of four. His older brother, Lucas, played baseball at West Aurora and his older sister, Isabella, is a freshman cheerleader at Iowa State.
His youngest brother, Gavin, is a freshman soccer player.
“When I was growing up, my parents just thought soccer was something you did for fun,” Mason said. “I started with the Sockers youth team when I was in kindergarten.
“I just developed a love of the game on my own.”
West Aurora coach Joe Sustersic said Aguirre is adaptable to any situation.
“He’s just a good player,” Sustersic said. “He’s a soccer player, and it doesn’t really matter where we put him on the field. He accepts new challenges. He goes from playing midfield to defense to defensive midfielder or up front.
“He is going to excel no matter where he plays.”
A standout student, Aguirre is more quiet and self-effacing, preferring to let his game speak volumes. In the past, he has struggled with demanding or calling for the ball.
Now, however, he has found his groove.
“Soccer lets you put your stamp on the game, and the style I like is more offensively direct,” Aguirre said. “I love how fast paced the game is. You can run the entire game without a break.
“Mostly, I just love scoring. That’s my favorite.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
