Round Lake’s Eduardo Gonzalez couldn’t have been asked to do more this season.

After two years on the lower levels, the junior defender became not only a varsity starter but also a team captain.

“I knew the pressure was on,” Gonzalez said. “I was very nervous. It was tough at first. I had to get myself together to be a leader and not show my nerves.”

Gonzalez has shown something else as the Panthers (7-6, 4-2) have climbed into second place in the Northern Lake County Conference despite having just three starters back from last season.

“He’s a great leader and is a motivator for the whole team,” Round Lake coach Hugo Tellez said.

Tellez said Gonzalez earned this opportunity.

“What truly sets Eduardo apart is his work ethic,” Tellez said. “He puts in extra time asking questions and working on his weaknesses.”

Gonzalez, who said he “lacked motivation” last season, decided to buckle down.

“He was just always putting in extra work,” Tellez said. “He improved so fast. He was one of those kids who wants to get better and make his teammates better.”

Gonzalez said his older sister Ariadne, a prolific scorer for Round Lake before she graduated in 2024, inspired him to push himself.

“I have a small family, but I always have a lot of support,” Eduardo Gonzalez said. “My sister helped me a lot. She encouraged me not to give up when I do something wrong, to keep going and look on the bright side of things.”

Ariadne Gonzalez, who plays soccer for the University of St. Francis in Joliet, has known he could be successful too.

“I’ve tried to be an example for my brother and be someone he can look up to always,” she said. “I try to be there for him and encourage him to do his best all the time. There have been days where I go out and practice with him as he’s a defender and I’m a forward. I push him to be the best version of himself.

“I’m a college athlete, so I want to prepare him for the future. I know he has a lot of potential, and with encouragement I know he can achieve everything he puts his mind to.”

Round Lake’s Eduardo Gonzalez (24) waits for the ball during a Northern Lake County Conference game at North Chicago on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (Rob Dicker / News-Sun)

Eduardo Gonzalez has impressed his teammates this season.

“Eduardo is a standout defender because of his awareness, timing and discipline on the field,” Round Lake sophomore midfielder Aaron Tellez said. “His tackling is clean. He rarely commits fouls, which shows his control defensively. He’s also strong in one-on-one situations, using his body to shield attackers and force them into less dangerous areas.”

Round Lake senior midfielder Alessandro Valadez noted Gonzalez’s tenacity.

“He’s good at not giving up on the ball,” Valadez said. “He keeps pushing forward to be able to win the ball or kick out for the rest of the team to drop and reorganize.”

Gonzalez, who has four assists, has also made his mark offensively. He converted a penalty kick in the Panthers’ NLCC shootout win over Wauconda on Sept. 25.

“It felt very good,” he said. “I was very happy and was in tears. It was very emotional.”

Round Lake’s Eduardo Gonzalez (24) passes the ball during a Northern Lake County Conference game at North Chicago on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (Rob Dicker / News-Sun)

Overall, Gonzalez is pleased with his first varsity season.

“I’m playing well,” he said. “The coaches are telling me they trust me in the back line.”

Gonzalez’s success on the field has helped him off it too.

“I started feeling good about myself and had more positive outcomes in the classroom,” he said.

Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/03/soccer-round-lake-eduardo-gonzalez/