Last season, Elgin’s Aaron Saldana played in the offensive shadow of Eduardo Nava.
Even so, Saldana tallied 19 assists, helping Nava become one of the area’s most prolific scorers with 36 goals. It stood to reason Saldana, a senior midfielder, would take over that role this year.
But he didn’t see it going that way.
“I didn’t think I was going to score a single goal this year,” Saldana said. “I got off to a good start against Naperville Central. I got more confidence to go forward and try to score some more goals.”
Saldana didn’t add to his goal total Thursday night, but he got back to his facilitator role with a pair of assists for host Elgin during a 4-0 Upstate Eight Conference win over crosstown rival Larkin.
Junior midfielder Danny Perez scored twice for Elgin (2-1-2, 1-0). Beto Gaytan, another key returnee, and Ian Diaz added goals. Ulises Flores made 13 saves in net for Larkin (2-2-3).
Saldana’s goal helped the Maroons tie powerful Naperville Central in the season opener, giving coach Jimmy Romano an idea. Romano figured it was time to move Saldana up to take advantage of his playmaking ability, and it worked. Saldana scored three goals in Elgin’s first four games.
Romano is pleased how a week of practice helped ease Saldana’s transition up the field.
“We moved him up more to give him more scoring opportunities,” Romano said. “He did that. He scored three goals so far this year and could probably have a couple more.
“He’s very creative and able to do those things. We shifted him up this year to create those possibilities. He’s doing very well.”
It’s a role Saldana admitted takes some getting used to, but he’s looking like a natural so far.
“My role has changed because obviously we lost a lot of good players attacking-wise last year,” Saldana said. “We still have the players to do it. My role is to try to create more chances.
“I feel like the chemistry is building every single game and we’re scoring more goals.”
The Maroons wasted little time Thursday jumping on Larkin.
Gaytan crossed a ball to Perez, who scored a minute into the game. With 20 minutes left in the first half, one of Saldana’s five shots on goal was deflected to Perez to make it 2-0.
“He’s a very talented, skillful player that is also versatile,” Romano said of Perez. “He can play the holding mid, the attacking mid, striker, winger, but he’s very creative and can finish.
“We want to put him in that role this year. He’s another player like Aaron where we put him in this role this year different than last year.”
Larkin, which graduated 14 seniors, is finding its way with an inexperienced roster.
With building blocks like Flores and dynamic midfielder Jonathan Garcia, however, coach Michael Huizar is excited about where things are headed for the Royals.
“A turnover led to a goal right away,” Huizar said. “I’m proud of how we responded. I wish we were a little more consistent from the beginning. We’re still figuring out how to get into the final third.
“Once that clicks, I think we’ll show how dangerous we are. We have a lot up top. We just have to find them.”
Elgin, meanwhile, has the most experience returning in Romano’s time guiding the program. That has led to high expectations again after last season’s sectional championship.
With Gaytan and Saldana leading the way, Romano is happy with how things are looking.
“This group is phenomenal,” Romano said. “They want it. They want to get further than we did the past two years. They’re hungry. They’re a great group of guys. They’re such close friends. They’re like brothers.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
