Defenders often get overlooked because they are scoring goals or recording assists, but there aren’t many players who are more critical to the Rochelle varsity boys soccer team’s success than senior defender and team captain Josue Almaraz.

The three-year varsity starter has been the strong and steady force in the middle of the Rochelle defense over the last two seasons, alongside fellow senior captain Ruben Herrera. Almaraz earned All-Conference First-Team recognition by the Northern Illinois Big 12 last season, and he’s returned to help the Hubs hold opponents to just five goals in 11 games.

“We usually stay close together and I play in the back which helps us keep the other team from getting the ball to our goalie,” Almaraz said. “It’s usually hard for the other team to get past me... My role is to stay back and clear the ball out if the ball gets past our other defenders. If the other team gets passed our defense, I’m there.”

Almaraz played midfield his sophomore year before transitioning to defense his junior season. One of nine seniors on this year’s varsity team, Almaraz and the Hubs are off to a scorching start, going 10-0-1 over their first 11 games and 3-0-1 in the Northern Illinois Big 12 West. The Hubs are eyeing their first regional championship since 2012, and they’ll have a shot of surpassing the 18-3-1 record set by the 2003 varsity team if they continue to win.

“We’ve all been together for so many years,” Almaraz said. “Our friendships are really tight and we’re like family… We set some goals at the beginning of the season, and we knew how good we could be coming into the season. We had a chance to go far last year but we weren’t able to get there. This year, we’re trying really hard to do the best we can.”

Almaraz started playing soccer roughly 13 years ago. Inspired by his older brothers Emmanuel and Israel as well as his older sister Celeste, Josue said he enjoys the experience of winning while playing alongside his closest friends. He said his two brothers have been his biggest role models in soccer, and he said he looks up to professional soccer player Lionel Messi.

“My older brothers really wanted me to be better growing up,” Almaraz said. “I look up to Messi because, even though he’s not a defender, he’s one of the greatest players in the world and I want to work hard just like him.”

Almaraz has two goals and one assist this season while only causing one defensive foul. Almaraz said he’d like to continue playing soccer beyond high school, and when his senior season comes to an end, he’s hoping the program’s younger players can continue carrying the mantle of success established by his graduating class and previous Rochelle players.

“I know they’re talented enough,” Almaraz said. “They just need to put the hard work in like we have. Hopefully they can do a good job of trying, and hopefully they can find more players to join the team so they can help those new players get better and Rochelle can keep winning.”