Bartlett’s Linski Shines in Crucial Game Against Hampshire

Bartlett’s junior forward, Patryk Linski, is feeling more like himself lately. On Monday night, he confidently took a crucial penalty kick in the final minute. “I won that,” Linski expressed, with only 43 seconds left and the Hawks trailing. “I was motivated and confident,” he added.

Linski’s decision to take the penalty kick wasn’t planned by Bartlett coach Anthony Glorioso, yet he scored the game-tying goal. The Hawks secured a 2-2 nonconference tie against Hampshire. Edwin Santillan netted another goal for Bartlett, making it 1-1 at halftime. Brian Vega gave Hampshire an opening lead at 33:31 in the first half. Momo Allnoch put Hampshire ahead 2-1 with 37:17 left in the match.

Coach Glorioso was surprised to see Linski taking the penalty instead of Santillan. “I signaled to Pat ‘Be smart,'” Glorioso mentioned. “He interpreted it as ‘Take the PK.’ Thankfully, he scored in spite of my miscommunication.”

Linski had a cunning approach. “When the referee delays, I focus on one corner, then glance at the opposite corner just before kicking,” he explained. “I shoot at the corner I constantly stared at.”

Coach Glorioso remarked on Linski’s improvement since a team trip to Iowa. “He’s been performing well, showing his usual aggressive play,” Glorioso noted. “Earlier in the year, his performance was off. After Iowa, he’s returned to his best form.”

Linski attributed his resurgence to a conversation with his father. “Before Iowa, life was complicated,” Linski revealed. “My dad’s encouraging speech helped clear my mind. Now I feel great and confident.”

On the other side, Hampshire faces three games in four days, aiming for the Fox Valley Conference title. Coach Chayanne Martinez managed player rotations to maintain health, especially for dynamic player Vega. “We have three games this week and must keep players healthy,” Martinez stated. “It’s important everyone gets their rotation and we maintain simple things right.”

Bartlett seems to be approaching a breakthrough after salvaging a tie against Hampshire. “The record is irrelevant come playoffs,” Linski emphasized. “We’re here to compete.”