Senior Tomas Colon-Medina brings a colorful approach to his uniform as starting goalie for the Riverside Brookfield High School boys soccer team.
“My favorite color is red,” said Colon-Medina about his matching shirt and shorts. “They call me a tomato or strawberry so I think it’s kind of funny.”
On Sept. 22, Colon-Medina was excited about standing out with the starting defense of seniors Jack Luethje, Alex Robles and Max Kaplan and junior Aaron Garcia. The Bulldogs held off area-rated West Chicago before finally allowing a goal with 5:03 left in a 1-0 loss in Upstate Eight Conference East Division action.
“I think this was our best game as a team. We were picking each other up. If someone made a mistake, we were supporting each other,” Colon-Medina said after the game. “I trusted my defense, all of them. They did their role really well. I couldn’t have asked for more from them at all.”
Colon-Medina made roughly six saves but the Bulldogs (4-7-1, 0-2-1 in UEC East) minimized serious threats despite facing fairly consistent pressure in the attacking third, including seven second-half corner kicks. The Wildcats (7-3-4, 2-0) entered last week ranked a conference-high top-30 in the area by ChicagolandSoccer.org.
“I feel like we continue to grow and get better and better each and every game. It’s part of the growing process. That was a fun one,” RBHS coach Ivek Halic said after the game. “Our guys hung in there, dug deep, played well. Just unfortunate the last five minutes, but all of the credit to West Chicago.”
Luethje and Garcia play the interior defense. Kaplan is a team captain with junior Aaron Acevedo and senior Owen Wilson.
“We have a good corps back there, good leadership,” Halic said. “We’ve been working a lot on the shape, positioning, possession in training.”
The Bulldogs bounced back by beating Nazareth 2-1 Thursday. Michael Panduro scored twice with assists from Luis Alvarez and Acevedo. They are 2-2-1 in their last five games, tying Elmwood Park 1-1 Sept. 15 and winning 2-1 over Kennedy Sept. 18 with goals by Panduro and Ruben Briceno with Caleb Adame and Karlo Stavlic assisting.
“(West Chicago was) maybe one of the best games we’ve seen. As long as we’re continuing to improve, that’s the message,” Halic said.
RBHS girls volleyball
Libero Sage Roldan, setter Elsie Crist and defensive specialist Kelsy Callahan are among sophomore newcomers to varsity who are keeping the Riverside Brookfield girls volleyball team on pace for another UEC East title.
“So far I’m happy with the amount of energy and leadership I’ve shown. I’ve also definitely grown a lot more confident and I’m proud for being able to show it on and off the court,” Roldan said. “My teammates have brought so much positivity and energy before school even started, which has definitely made it easier and more fun to begin this season.”
The Bulldogs (13-8) moved to 2-0 in the UEC East Sept. 22 with their their third straight two-set victory, 25-20, 25-13 at West Chicago. While returning senior standouts Mackenzie Sloger (187 kills, 38 aces) and Asha Ponnappan (.392 attack percentage, 39 blocks) are among the stats leaders, Roldan leads with 163 digs and Crist with 393 assists in a one-setter offense.
“My transition to varsity has been super smooth because of the really positive environment of RB volleyball,” Crist said. “I have been happiest by watching the success of my hitters and being a leader on the court. As a setter, it’s always important for me to put up the best ball I can. Allowing my hitters to make really great plays is something I am really proud of.”
RBHS coach Caitlin Staib-Lipinski usually runs a 6-2 offense, but she has kept returning junior setter Nina Johnsen in the back row to take more advantage of those contributions. Callahan adds to back-row strength and with serving. Sophomore Ella Wilkowski (128 kills) also is emerging in her varsity return. Sophomore Ivana Zaper and junior Claire Evans also were in the starting rotation at West Chicago.
“This is my fifth year (as head coach) and collectively, we’re getting better,” Staib-Lipinski said. “Teams now see us as a threat, which is good.”
Crist has run a 5-1 offense before but last year was part of a 6-2 on last year’s junior varsity with senior Julia Szymczak.
“Being able to spend more time on the court has definitely improved my game and connections with the team,” Crist said. “(In a 5-1) I’m responsible for setting, playing defense, blocking and I have the ability to attack. Our back row is great and they make my job so much easier. We have a phenomenal set of hitters, too, who are great at terminating the ball.”
A defensive specialist in 2025, Roldan was “very surprised” when she recently was named all-tournament at Downers Grove South.
“My team as a whole worked so hard that tournament and I’m proud of all of us,” Roldan said. “Being libero has challenged me greatly but also helped me develop more confidence, leadership and responsibility.”