For this week’s Player to Watch, we are featuring a Varsity boys soccer player: senior striker Jack Schwering. Schwering has proved to be a force on the field in just his first season playing for St. Dominic. Although Schwering’s high school soccer career isn’t typical for most, he has become one of the favorite newcomers for the Crusaders.

Schwering has not always been a star Crusader soccer player. Because he transferred to St. Dominic for his junior year and due to MSHAA regulations, Schwering was not allowed to play last fall. However, that didn’t stop him from trying out for the team in the following season for his senior year.

“It was a little tough coming in and trying to find my spot in a very good team, but my teammates and I bonded very quickly which made everything a lot easier,” Schwering said.

After making the team and becoming acclimated to a new coach and new teammates, Schwering was able to play in a few matches before the unthinkable happened. Unfortunately, Schwering suffered a hairline ankle fracture as well as a high ankle sprain in the middle of the season.

“When it happened it was very scary, and I was sad because I thought that was probably the end of my season. For a little while, when I was recovering I was upset, but then I quickly realized that I needed to take my recovery seriously and get back as soon as I could,” Schwering said.

What most people thought was a season-ending injury was actually only a two-week recovery. Before too long, Schwering was back on the pitch, scoring two goals and two assists in just six games.

Now the question on everyone’s mind: what will happen in the postseason? Last year, the boys soccer team suffered a devastating loss in the final minutes of the State Championship match. This year, the team is eager to redeem themselves and bring home the championship title. The team has several new faces, including Schwering, who are also determined to fight for victory.

“I know how much it hurt for the boys and after that loss. It just makes us want to go back to the state finals even more. Even being a new player, I believe that I am someone that a lot of people look up to, so just being that extra leader on the field and in the halls can give us that extra lift that we will need to go back to the finals,” Schwering said.

The team is currently 12-2-2 on the season with only five more games until districts arrive. Their next game is this Saturday against SLUH at 10:00 am, so be sure to come out and support Schwering as he helps lead the team to victory!