In his third season on the varsity team, senior forward Diego Munoz has taken on the role of captain for Bloom. With this new responsibility, Munoz aimed to improve his mindset both in his interactions with teammates and his self-perception. He acknowledged a need to change. “I needed to fix my mentality because I always used to put my head down,” he explained. Now, when he feels down, his teammates lift him up. “I started believing in myself because everybody else believes in me.”

Munoz’s confidence was evident during a game on Monday night, where he scored a goal and assisted twice. This helped the Blazing Trojans secure a 6-2 victory over Marian Catholic in Chicago Heights. Erik Hernandez contributed two goals to Bloom’s success, while Nate Renteria, Sergio Pompa, and Angel Mendez each scored once. For the Spartans, Issac Mendoza and Alex Montalvo scored goals, with Edgar Bravo making 14 saves. Marian Catholic initially led 1-0 until Munoz scored his eighth goal of the season, equalizing the match in the 35th minute.

Munoz commented on the momentum shift the goal provided. “We just had to get something going,” he said. “I saw a chance to take the shot and was happy it went in.” He followed this by assisting in two more goals, leading Bloom to a strong second-half performance, with Hernandez scoring twice. “We started off pretty slowly, especially myself,” admitted Hernandez. “But all that matters is that we kept it going and we believed in ourselves.” As a sophomore forward, Hernandez looks up to Munoz, recognizing his influential leadership. “Diego brings special leadership to the team,” Hernandez noted, emphasizing that Munoz’s captaincy is earned through action.

Munoz reflected on his role and how it motivated his transformation. “When I got the captain band, they told me I was going to have a lot of responsibility,” he said. Initially uncertain about what needed improvement, Munoz eventually realized his focus areas. “I fixed it and I feel more complete as a player. My teammates complete me as a captain.”

Coach Zack Radtke acknowledged Munoz’s growth in both his play and communication. “He’s definitely grown up,” Radtke said. “His maturity and his play on the field have both gone up.” Munoz’s brother Christian set a high bar with the program record for career goals. Diego, who joined varsity as a sophomore, had to find his own path, balancing personal style with team expectations. “Those are hard shoes to fill,” Radtke continued. Diego’s unique playing style distinguished him from comparisons to his brother.

Munoz has come to embrace his individuality. “I realized over the years that I don’t need to be anybody else,” he stated. “I can just be myself and show my skills on the field.”