Bartlett’s Rally Highlights Linski’s Return to Form

Bartlett’s junior forward, Patryk Linski, has regained his confidence on the field, making a crucial penalty kick in the last minute of the game against Hampshire on Monday night. Linski, who had been feeling more like himself lately, took responsibility for the kick when the Hawks were trailing with only 43 seconds left.

“In my head I was like, ‘I won that,'” Linski remarked, feeling highly motivated and confident. While Bartlett coach Anthony Glorioso had not planned for Linski to take the penalty kick, he managed to convert it into a game-tying goal, securing a 2-2 nonconference draw against Hampshire.

Edwin Santillan scored Bartlett’s first goal with 10:05 remaining in the first half, leveling the match at 1-1. Hampshire initially led when Brian Vega scored at the 33:31 mark. Momo Allnoch’s goal restored Hampshire’s lead in the second half before Bartlett equalized.

Coach Glorioso was surprised to see Linski preparing for the penalty kick, expecting Santillan to take it instead. “I told Pat from the sideline, pointed to my head, ‘Be smart,'” said Glorioso. “He took it as, ‘Take the PK.’ Thankfully, he scored. That was miscommunication on my part.”

Linski detailed his penalty strategy: “I just went and took it. When the referee takes a long time, I always look at the corner I’m going to shoot at and, just before I shoot, I look at the other corner. I shoot at the corner I was staring at the whole time.”

Glorioso expressed his satisfaction at seeing Linski return to his aggressive playing style after a slow start to the season. “He’s really looked good,” said Glorioso, noting that the turnaround began with a team trip to Iowa. “He’s been doing his normal Pat stuff, which is nice, taking it down the line, winning balls, and things like that.”

Linski attributes his resurgence to a motivational talk with his father before the Iowa trip: “My dad just gave me a big speech. This is a one-time opportunity. Try your best. Do your best. That just cleared my whole head. It feels good. I’m getting more playing time. I’m feeling more confident.”

Meanwhile, Hampshire faces a demanding schedule of three games in four days, with aspirations of winning the Fox Valley Conference. Coach Chayanne Martinez focused on rotating players to keep them healthy and rested, particularly the dynamic Brian Vega.

“We have to make sure we stay healthy,” Martinez commented. “We have three games this week. We have to make sure everyone gets their rotations in and we can keep going in conference, making sure all the simple things are done right.”

Bartlett’s performance in managing to draw the match against a strong team like Hampshire hints at potential success in the playoffs. “The record is just the record,” Linski stated. “In the playoffs, the record doesn’t matter. We’re here to play.”