The lime-green cleats, worn by junior Xavier Mrozik-DeJesus for Riverside Brookfield High School boys lacrosse matches, are quite a sight under the lights.
“Back in sixth grade, my mom got me green football cleats when I played football for Junior Bulldogs. She always said it was an easy way to find me when I played,” Mrozik-DeJesus said. “I’ve kind of gone back to my roots. She can find me in the stands.”
These days, Mrozik-DeJesus is quite noticeable on the field for other reasons. The returning 2024 all-sectional player is among key components for the experienced Bulldogs (7-5), who returned all but one starter from last season and are seeking their first postseason victories in the program’s fourth varsity season.
RBHS beat Minooka 10-3, Monday for its second win in a row and fourth in its last five. That also includes victories over Oak Forest (9-5, April 21), Montini (8-7, April 24) and Glenbard North (9-5, Thursday) with a scoreless second half by junior goalie Patrick Galloway and the defense after trailing 5-4 at halftime.
These were the Bulldogs’ first three victories in six games decided by four goals or fewer. The only recent loss was 8-3 at Lyons Township, April 29.
“I’m really proud of these guys these last two weeks for sure,” RBHS coach Joe Urbanski said. “[Glenbard North] was definitely the most well-rounded game we’ve played all year,” Mrozik-DeJesus said moments after that victory. “Everything really came together and it all starts with my guy Patrick holding it down in cage.”
Galloway made seven saves on Glenbard North (5-7) after RBHS took the lead at 6-5 on a goal by senior Ben Lupfer, assisted by Charlie Sloan with 6:53 left in the third quarter. Six of those shots would have tied the game 6-6. The Bulldogs pulled away with three goals in the final 6:43 by Lupfer, Jack Duffy and Warren Mason with assists by Mrozik-DeJesus and Lupfer.
“It felt great. It’s a great boost for our confidence,” Galloway said. “It really helps to make us think that we can beat anybody and we need that.”
Mrozik-DeJesus gained satisfaction from being all-sectional in his debut season with the Bulldogs. The Fenwick transfer played varsity there as a freshman and received all-conference honors.
“The overall goal is to go all-state,” Mrozik-DeJesus said. “It’s a ladder I’m climbing up and hopefully I’m reaching my goal by the end of my high school career.”
Mrozik-DeJesus plays long-stick midfielder in club lacrosse but also plays offensive midfielder for the Bulldogs. He said his work on dodges and stick handling are making him a stronger two-way threat.
He’s also a standout wide receiver for the football team. Urbanski credits RBHS head football coach Sam Styler for enhancing Mrozik-DeJesus’ leadership skills. Urbanski is an assistant football coach.
“[Mrozik-DeJesus is] just a natural leader. People gravitate toward him. When he’s on the field, teammates play more confident. That’s where I’ve seen most of his growth,” Urbanski said. “He grew up with these guys, too, and he’s played sports with them through Little League and middle school. Getting a year under his belt helped and a lot of the guys are football players, too. It’s really a close-knit group. We really try to preach family.”
Mrozik-DeJesus’ interest in organized lacrosse began in second grade from Uncle Rich Mrozik, a Division III college lacrosse player.
“He basically raised me with a stick in my hand. I have a video of me playing when I was 2,” he said. “Telling me all of his stories, his stories got me interested, and I never looked back.”
Surprisingly, Rich Mrozik’s stories were about goalie. Galloway began playing goalie in seventh or eighth grade after being introduced to lacrosse by junior teammate Peter Laube in third grade with the Berwyn Bombers.
Galloway now is considering goalie camps and college lacrosse based on the season he’s having.
“I didn’t really think about it [before]. Now I love the sport and would love to carry it over if I could,” Galloway said.
“He spends a lot of time working on his craft. He does a lot of things just to hone his hand-eye coordination,” Urbanski said. “You can just see his confidence growing.”
Defenders Ayden Lumsden, Tommy Kos, Mason, Damian Nieves and Joey Zimmerman and Oscar Aguirre also are gaining confidence, considering senior defensive “anchor” Jimmy Faletti has been injured but should return soon.
Galloway played some RBHS goalie as a freshman but wasn’t really needed last season with four-year varsity starter Alexander Gomez. He instead played attack and now is using that experience toward being on the receiving end of those shots.
“Thinking through the offense and seeing through their eyes, their thinking, their getting pressure,” Galloway said, “it really helps me knowing what they’re going to do – or think they’re going to do.”