Stevenson senior midfielder Jack Bacher knows how to rise to the challenge.
After his family moved from Camas, Washington, to Chicago’s northern suburbs in 2020, Bacher was determined to get on the field for the Patriots.
“I was the new kid,” he said. “So my mindset was to fight for two years to get my spot.”
More than four years later, the 6-foot-2 Bacher is not only a team captain but also a talented scorer who can change the course of a game in the blink of an eye.
So when seventh-seeded Stevenson was locked in a scoreless tie with 10th-seeded Warren in the second half of a Class 3A Rolling Meadows Regional semifinal on Tuesday, Bacher made the most of an opportunity to put his stamp on the game. He scored on a header off a corner kick with 21:46 left, lifting the Patriots to a 1-0 win over their North Suburban Conference rival.
“It’s been like four games or something since I last scored because I was sick,” Bacher said. “But now I’m feeling great. It’s just good to be back. I’m glad I got one.”
Stevenson coach PepeJon Chavez wasn’t surprised to see Bacher come through.
“Jack’s presence as a captain is so important,” Chavez said. “He was a prince who reserved the crown and now can be the king. It’s his storyline.”
Bacher’s 14th goal of the season sends the Patriots (12-4-5), who have won four in a row, to the regional championship game against second-seeded Rolling Meadows (14-4-3) on Saturday.
“This whole season, we had a plan to build as a team,” Bacher said. “Last year, we had a lot of individual talent. But this year, we have a lot of chemistry.”
Senior goalkeeper Ethan Cole concluded his career with six saves for the Blue Devils (6-9-5), who had won the teams’ regular-season matchup by the same score.
“We did a great job weathering their chances up until that moment,” Warren coach Jason Ahonen said of Bacher’s goal.
Bacher redirected a curving corner kick from senior forward Alexander Mihaylov.
“I knew Alex was going to whip one in because he’s a lefty,” Bacher said. “We have this screen play, so I knew someone was going to get me open. I got off my defender. It was a great ball, and all I had to do was tap it in.”
Bacher has impressed Stevenson junior midfielder Navaan Kistanna.
“I feel like he’s taken his game to another level this year,” Kistanna said. “He’s stepped up when we’ve needed him. His ability to carry the ball and his strength on the ball and his finishing are amazing. He’s got that dog in him.”
Bacher, who was a reserve on the team that won the 3A third-place game in 2022, said his high school career has exceeded his expectations.
“It’s been a crazy ride,” he said. “It’s almost a really nice feeling in my senior year. I feel I’ve made a lot of memories and done almost everything I can, and now we’re trying to make it to state.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
