A self-described nerd, East Aurora’s Melanie Galindo intends to study biology at Northwestern.
The senior midfielder understands that time’s not on her side anymore as far as high school soccer goes. It’s the final days of the regular season, and she doesn’t plan on playing in college.
“You feel the countdown,” Galindo said. “I know every second matters, and I want to give the team a push. I know when we’re down like that, the emotion comes up and also the effort comes up.
“The goals come out of that effort.”
Especially goals like this. Galindo scored in dramatic fashion in the 74th minute Tuesday night to pull the Tomcats into a 2-2 Upstate Eight Conference tie against Fenton in Bensenville.
Sophomore midfielder Nicole Olivo converted in the 41st minute for East Aurora (6-9-2, 2-5-1).
Galindo took her inspiration from watching a Champions League game earlier in the day.
”Sometimes during a game, there are moments you just flash back to something you see,” Galindo said. “During that game I was watching, there was a shot from a player.
“For some reason, that just came into my mind when I saw the ball there.”
Galindo is a study in contrasts. She’s quiet, bookish and scholarly off the field, but outgoing and assertive as a two-year captain for the Tomcats.
“I like to express myself in how I play,” she said. “You can hear me all the time when I play.
“I like to scream a lot. The rest of the team knows that my words come out a little harsh, but it’s about helping and pushing my team, and we understand each other.”
Olivo called Galindo the ultimate role model and mentor.
”I really look up to her,” Olivo said. “Not just because she’s older than me and the captain, I want to learn from her because she has so much experience.
“She does show her emotions out there, but she always makes it very important the team is always first. I understand she always wants to make the team better.”
East Aurora coach Jorge Rios said Galindo’s style of play is patterned after a deeper approach.
”The way she plays, that strong character she has, I think she has that same enthusiasm for life,” Rios said. “She’s the pride and joy of our program.
“Part of the reason she’s the captain is her natural leadership, and how she puts the team first. Whatever success we’ve had this season is because of her.”
Galindo took to playing soccer as a physical outlet that fueled a competitive burst of going up against her older brother, Brian, in the family’s backyard.
Her interest took off as a freshman, when she was immediately elevated to the varsity.
“I didn’t know many people and it was right after the pandemic, so everything was still kind of secluded,” she said. ”I like to learn. I listened, and I watched, and I let my teammates guide me.
“I learned how to play from all the different people. I’ve tried to take that learning and pass it on to my other teammates.”
Galindo has been a model of versatility and consistency for East Aurora. At the start of her career, she played as an outside defender. She pushed into the midfield as a sophomore.
Lately, she has toggled between the middle of the attack and playing forward. She occasionally flashes a fun and less serious side, shown in her fascination with TikTok videos.
Knowledge is her primary objective, and she wants to pursue a career in the medical field.
“Learning is my hobby,” Galindo said. “I like to read and keep myself informed. Some people might think that’s a little weird. That’s the fashion that I’ve developed, and it has taken me places.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
