By: Steve Millar | October 31, 2024 at 9:03 am
In promoting senior midfielder/forward Mario Ramirez for postseason awards, De La Salle’s Francisco Martinez said he told opposing coaches all about Ramirez’s versatility and ability to succeed at any position.
Yes, that includes goalkeeper.
Ramirez never expected the opportunity to prove his coach right would come in overtime of the biggest game in program history. But when the Meteors needed someone in net, he stepped in.
“I played goalie before with my club team when I was younger,” Ramirez said. “It’s been probably four years since I last played goalie. They’ve known I played it in the past so sometimes in practice I’d jump in, but that was more just for fun.
“When they told me I was playing goalie (Wednesday), I was like, ‘What!?’ It was nostalgic for me. I really had fun playing goalie again.”
Steve Millar is a reporter for the Chicago Tribune. He can be reached at smillar@chicagotribune.com.
