When Lemont made its run last season to a fourth-place finish in Class 2A, Dylan Jaczak was coming off the bench and playing what coach Rick Prangen called a “Swiss Army knife role.”
Back then, Jaczak was moving all over the field. Now a senior, he’s locked into a starting spot on defense. But he’s still just fine with being flexible.
“I don’t mind moving around at all,” Jaczak said. “In the preseason, I definitely wasn’t set in my place. But the coaches found a back line they felt comfortable with.
“They’re going to put me where they’re going to put me and I’m going to do the best I can.”
Jaczak has turned into a dependable leader on a brand-new back line for Lemont.
He also got in on the offense Thursday night, scoring a goal to spark the host Lemont to a 5-0 victory over Shepard in a South Suburban Conference crossover game.
Andrew Guzy, Max Plewa, John Robbins and Markas Ivanauskas each scored goals for Lemont (4-2-1, 2-0 SSC Blue). Gabriel Zarycki added two assists, while Adrian Lisowski finished with three saves for the shutout and had an assist. Jaczak, Plewa and Matt Koutoulogenis led the defense.
Neftaly Orozco made five saves for Shepard (2-5, 0-2 SSC Red).
After graduating all of the starting defenders from the state team, Prangen had to piece together a back line, but he knew Jaczak was ready to be a big part of it — wherever he needed to go.
“We’d probably be better off with Dylan playing center back, but he’s playing left back out of necessity,” Prangen said. “So he’s not at his preferred spot, but he’s the only one who can really play left back for us right now, and he’s really stepped up and done the job.”
It’s all still a learning process for Jaczak, but as a senior surrounded on defense by two sophomores in Plewa and Koutoulogenis, he’s trying to be a teacher as well.
“I’m new back there, too,” Jaczak said. “I didn’t start one game last year. I’m just trying to do my part the best I can and hold the other guys accountable.
“You have to be vocal. You have to be focused the whole time. I’m responsible for more than just myself. It’s about encouraging them, constructive feedback, that kind of thing.”
Jaczak also took advantage of a rare opportunity to get in on the offense Thursday night. After scoring one goal last season, he matched that total for this year when he tallied in the 35th minute.
Lisowski, a senior goalkeeper, took a free kick from midfield and blasted a shot off the crossbar. Jaczak was there to put in the rebound.
“It was just kind of pick a spot and it was the right place at the right time,” Jaczak said. “It definitely felt good. Credit to the coaches. We did finishing drills in practice (Wednesday).”
Prangen knew it was huge for Jaczak to jump on the chance.
“We were not playing particularly well in the first half and we were only up 1-0, so that second goal is huge because it gives you a little bit of breathing room,” Prangen said. “It was important for us that Dylan was able to get to that ball first and finish.”
While Jaczak likely won’t be scoring on a regular basis, Guzy is confident he will deliver what Lemont needs.
“All three new guys back there have been great,” Guzy said. “I know I can trust Dylan back there.”
Jaczak has played soccer since he was 6 years old and mixed in baseball for most of his life, but he gave up the latter after his freshman year.
“When I was doing both, every time I had two games in the same day, I was like, ‘Man, I don’t want to go to baseball. I want to play soccer,’” he said. “I just love soccer a lot more.”