Bishop Noll sophomore forward Joaquin Rosas is an exception.
Warriors coach Alejandro Perez typically relies on older players for production and leadership. But Rosas has broken that mold.
“Even entering the season, he understood we’re a really, really young group,” Perez said. “I told him I wanted these guys to look up to him. It’s hard because if you joke around with them, they’ll joke. But if you set the tone, you see how he trains, he’s always constantly pushing, pushing these guys.
“He’s a special player. He’s a special player who’s growing up quickly. He’s around a really young group, and what we’ve asked him, he’s been able to do and then some. He’s really growing up at a quick rate, and he’s doing everything we ask. We’re happy with him leading the way for us.”
Rosas has helped the Warriors (12-4-1, 4-1) earn a share of the Greater South Shore Conference title with Illiana Christian, their opponent and host in a Class 2A sectional championship game on Saturday.
Bishop Noll last won a conference title in 2020. The Vikings had won at least a share of the title each season since joining the GSSC in 2021 and had been undefeated in conference games in each of the past two seasons before the Warriors secured a 1-0 victory on Oct. 2.
In the rematch, Bishop Noll will be seeking its second sectional title in three seasons.
Rosas hasn’t necessarily been surprised by the team’s success.
“It’s the chemistry off the field,” he said. “We all get along with each other. We’re like a family. We’ve all known each other since we were little. We grew up with each other, and we’re a strong team.”
Rosas has scored 18 goals this season. After recording three goals and 10 assists as a freshman as a central midfielder, he has moved up and shifted roles from distributor to finisher.
“He’s playing out of his position,” Perez said. “He’s a true center mid. But we went down some key pieces on offense, and we asked him, ‘Hey, can you do this for us?’ And he said yes. Even in games, he talks to us. He’s like the quarterback on the field, like, ‘Hey, coach, put me on the outside,’ or, ‘I can help right here.’
“Whatever we need him to do, he’s more than willing to do it. He helps us out a lot by being that versatile.”
Rosas switched to forward at halftime of Bishop Noll’s fourth game of the season on Sept. 7. The Warriors trailed Hanover Central 3-0 during an eventual 5-4 loss. Rosas netted a hat trick in the second half.
“It was like, ‘OK, that’s a good spot for you,’” Perez said. “We were having trouble finding the back of the net, and we made that adjustment at halftime. He suggested, ‘Hey, put me up top.’ We did, and we haven’t looked back since. It’s been working.
“That’s the type of player he is. He’s a game-changer. We’re excited to have him in this program leading the way now. At a young age, it’s rare. I always tell him I know I ask a lot of him, like circle up and stretch the guys, lead the guys in running. But he’s taken on that responsibility and then some. It’s cool to see. He’s growing up fast.”
Since that loss to Hanover Central, the Warriors have gone 11-1-1. Their only defeat was against Valparaiso.
Rosas has been in particularly fine form in the postseason. He had a hat trick in the sectional opener as Bishop Noll reversed its regular-season defeat with a 3-0 win against Hanover Central. He added a goal in the Warriors’ 2-0 win against Griffith in the sectional semifinals on Wednesday.
“It’s been fun,” Rosas said. “Getting a lot of goals is always fun. A lot of it is just speed, athleticism. I gained a lot in the offseason. Also my game IQ — I’ve brought that up a lot.
“I’ve shown a lot of leadership. We have a really young team. We only have a few seniors, and that’s good for next year too.”
Freshman midfielder Lino Melero has taken note of Rosas’ contributions.
“He brings a lot of positivity,” Melero said. “He brings energy to the game. He gets everyone focused. On the field, he talks a lot in the game. He makes sure everything is good.”
There has been plenty of good for the Warriors this season as Rosas has emerged.
“Last year, he was a big piece,” Perez said. “But now the game is slowing down for him. Even in practice, you see him taking on that leadership role. He asks for those battles. He knows who to go up against. He knows what’s going to challenge him. It helps with his development.”
