Sabres' Perez just loves the game

Alex Perez really likes the sport of soccer.

He liked it so much as a child, it didn't matter what type of footwear he had.

"I started playing when I was around four of five," said Perez. "I remember kicking the ball with my uncle in my cowboy boots in the backyard. I didn't care. I remember my parents would get made at me because I was getting dirty. Whatever. I was enjoying it."

Suffice to say he's still enjoying it.

This season, Perez, a junior at Streamwood, played a major role in the Sabres enjoying the most prosperous season in program history (17-5-4 overall record and an appearance in a regional championship game).

Not only did Perez ring the goal register with regularity from his forward position, he also dropped back to play goalie late in the season and did so with equal success.

And those omnipresent contributions have resulted in Perez being named co-captain of the Daily Herald's All-Area boys soccer team. Perez shares this year's award with Larkin senior Raul Sandoval.

"He is an incredible player. He's amazing," said Streamwood senior forward Alex Lopez. "He can play every position on the field. He can do pretty much anything on the field. He makes such a big difference. I've been on the varsity 4 years and he's one of the top players I've played with or played against."

Perez, an Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association All-State selection, finished with a team-best 17 goals to go with 10 assists. In goal, Perez was just as smooth, recording 4 wins and logging a pair of shutouts.

"Everything he does is great," said Streamwood coach Matt Polovin. "He's one of the main reasons we had the most successful season ever in boys soccer history here. He's one of the rare breeds. He's very valuable. He's a complete player."

That was evident when Perez moved back to the goalie box.

"Most coaches wouldn't think about putting their leading scorer in goal," said Polovin. "It wasn't even a thought. We put him back there and he did a great job. He's a great goalkeeper."

Perez was the team's goalie for the final 5 games of the season, logging victories against Schaumburg, St. Charles North (3-0 shutout) and Leyden (2-1 and a 3-0 shutout in the regional semifinal).

Polovin also did the switch last year when Streamwood's regular goalie was injured. Perez went 3-0 with 3 shutouts.

"I had no idea he was a goalkeeper," said Polovin. "The guys told me Alex is a good goalie. I said all right. His first game he had a 1-0 shutout. He was doing really well last year (10 goals and 10 assists) and then he had 3 shutouts as a sophomore. He has a lot of talent and a lot of skill."

Perez said the adjustment from forward to goalie was not difficult.

"Last year I played some goal for a few games," said Perez. "I've played goalie since I was a little kid. I'm used to it. I helped out."

In terms of improving between the pipes, Perez isn't afraid to ask questions.

"If I make mistakes or if I'm bad on something, I'll ask coach what I can do to be better. I'll get hints," said Perez. "You keep trying the same thing. It's practice, practice, practice until I really get it."

Polovin was pleased with how the team reacted to the late-season switch.

"The rest of the guys had to pick up the pieces," said Polovin. "They did that by scoring goals. Putting him in goal helped make the team that much better."

Perez was not only impressed, but quite appreciative of his teammate's efforts in front of him.

"When they scored, I was relieved being the goalie," said Perez. "There was less pressure on me. I'm very proud of this team. With me staying back and helping out with defense, I did my part and the offense did their part."

Lopez said having Perez in goal provided a major jolt of energy.

"Him being in goal gave us confidence," said Lopez. "We knew we had to do our work up top. He had 4 wins. We knew we had to keep up our good work when he was in goal. We had a lot of different guys score."

In the end for Perez, it boils down to the greater sum.

"I like scoring goals. It feels better. Passing the ball and getting assists is good, too," said Perez. "Helping make the goal, helps the team. You are helping the team and that matters the most. I love talking with the team and hanging with them. I like playing with the team."

When he's not on the field, Perez follows soccer on an international level.

"I like England soccer. It's more aggressive and faster," said Perez. "I like Spain as well. They have good players. I enjoy watching them."

Looking to the future, Perez would like to take soccer as far as he can. For starters, he would like to play in college. But he has even greater aspirations beyond that.

"That's my dream," said Perez, referring to one day possibly playing professionally. "I'm going to try and do something I love. I've got a dedication to soccer."

Perez tried to downplay how great of an impact he had on the team this year.

"I think I played a kind of big role," said Perez, who also plays for the Schaumburg United club. "If it wasn't for the rest of the team, I wouldn't be anything. They helped me. I helped them. They gave me stuff and I gave them stuff. If it wasn't for the team, I couldn't do any of this stuff."

Perez had an inkling the 2008 season could be a fruitful one.

"At the beginning of the season, I had a feeling that we could get far," said Perez. "We have a strong team. Hopefully next year we can keep going."

And Perez will be there helping push forward any way he can.

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