Sophomore midfielder Mekenzie Rogers likes to put on a show for Burlington Central.
She plays soccer with a style and flair that creates the perfect balance between form and function.
“I really try to be creative and do things that people like to see,” Rogers said after Tuesday night’s celebration. “I’ve always been told by others that it’s very fun watching me play.
“That’s motivation for me to perform the way I do.”
Rogers put on quite a show against Wheaton Academy, scoring two goals and adding two assists to lead the Rockets to a 5-0 victory in the Class 2A Hinsdale South Supersectional in Darien.
Burlington Central (15-8-2), which is 12-2 in its last 14 games, earned its first trip to the state finals since finishing third in 2017. The Rockets face conference rival Crystal Lake Central (21-2-2) at 1:30 p.m. Friday in a state semifinal at North Central College.
In the second half Tuesday, Burlington Central erupted for all five goals in a 15-minute burst against previously unbeaten Wheaton Academy (19-1-3).
Sophomore midfielder Sydney Batts contributed a goal and assist for the Rockets, while senior midfielder Ellie Elders and senior defender Rylee Butler also scored goals.
Burlington Central’s Mekenzie Rogers (3) gets swarmed by teammates Eva Samuelian, Rylee Butler, and Kendall Grigg, left to right, after scoring the first goal against Wheaton Academy during the Class 2A Hinsdale South Supersectional in Darien on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. (Jon Cunningham / The Beacon-News)
After playing club last year as a freshman, Rogers has made a spectacular high school debut, producing 38 goals and 11 assists.
“My teammates have done a great job of motivating me every time I step out on the field,” she said. “Being a newcomer and trying to fit into this team, I had to adapt really quickly.
“I think I did a very good job of managing that and I really love playing with this team.”
Rogers is a blur in the open field — creative, dynamic and fantastic with the ball.
“I heard how good she was before she got here, but I never saw her play,” Batts said of Rogers. “She is such a good teammate, and she works so well with the people around her.”
“I think that is what made it so easy for her to come in and become such an influential player on the team.”
Burlington Central’s Mekenzie Rogers (3) tangles with Wheaton Academy’s Sydney Younce during the Class 2A Hinsdale South Supersectional in Darien on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. (Jon Cunningham / The Beacon-News)
Burlington Central coach Jessica Arneson said the only complication was weaving Rogers into the framework of the team.
“You can’t center your whole team around one player,” Arneson said. “What we discovered is that with a player that good, the difficult part was figuring out a way to make the team jell around her.
“Her composure on the ball is just exceptional. (Tuesday night) she dribbled through five or six people. That talent is the reason she is the player she is.”
Rogers, a middle child who has older and younger brothers, grew up playing every sport she came in contact with, from basketball to track and swimming.
Soccer just took hold of her imagination.
”The second I first stepped on the field and touched the ball, I fell in love with it,” Rogers said. “I’m really trying to go far in this sport. I play every game as if it’s my last one.
“I’m just so happy I chose this sport. I’m not sure what else I’d do.”
Burlington Central’s Mekenzie Rogers, right, takes a shot at the goal against Wheaton Academy during the Class 2A Hinsdale South Supersectional in Darien on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. (Jon Cunningham / The Beacon-News)
Quiet by nature, Rogers said the success and friendships she has found playing for Burlington Central allowed her personality to take off.
”Starting out with this team, I was shy because I didn’t really know any of them,” she said. “As I got to know everyone, it was my opportunity to really bloom. I’m so grateful to be playing with this team.”
And moments like Tuesday night don’t seem to faze her.
”I just love the pressure,” Rogers said. “Some people can’t handle the pressure or they get nervous and scared. Seeing the support we had just motivated me to push harder and win for my team and my family.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
