Springing forward: Nico Espinosa’s return to the fold continues to pay off as Lincoln-Way Central comes back to beat Lincoln-Way West

After a strong debut season as a freshman, Nico Espinosa took a year off from playing for Lincoln-Way Central and stayed with his club team in the spring.

The junior forward, however, was eager to return to the Knights.

“It’s a whole different culture,” he said. “You’re representing your hometown. The atmosphere, the teammates, the coaching staff. It’s like a whole different ballgame because it’s at home.

“I couldn’t miss this season. A lot of these seniors, I grew up playing with them and I had to come back for their senior year.”

Espinosa continued to make a huge difference Tuesday night, scoring in the second half as host Lincoln-Way Central rallied for a 3-1 SouthWest Suburban Red win over crosstown rival Lincoln-Way West.

“Nico brings that element to the defensive side for our opponents where there’s a little bit of they don’t know what he’s going to do,” Central coach Dave Brown said. “He can play with his back to the ball, he can dribble with space, he can shoot, he can lay the ball off.

“He’s tough to mark and he’s dangerous once he gets his head of steam going toward goal. We look to him and he carries a big load for us, but he enjoys it. He likes being the guy we’re looking for.”

Espinosa’s 19th goal of the season capped the comeback for the Knights (13-1-1, 2-0) and gave them a two-goal lead over the Warriors (7-7-1, 1-1) with 27 minutes, 25 seconds to go.

Espinosa and Zach Davis worked a nice give-and-go, with Espinosa getting the ball back on the left side of the box and burying a 10-yard shot.

“I didn’t think I was going to get it, and then I got a toe on it and it went in,” Espinosa said. “I try to be the one to open up the offense for us, and it’s always fun to score in a game like this.”

Davis, who ended up with a goal and an assist, is happy to have Espinosa back.

“It’s great having him up top,” Davis said. “He puts in a lot of work and he’s scored a lot for us this year.”

Rylan Decker made seven saves for the Warriors, while Ryan Marszalek made four for the Knights.

Lincoln-Way West jumped out to an early lead in the sixth minute as Ross DeGroot and Jack Towner worked a give-and-go of their own. DeGroot finished for his 18th goal of the season.

“Any time you play Lincoln-Way Central, you know you’re in a battle,” West coach Matt Laude said. “We kind of surprised them a little bit and found one. I feel like after that first goal, my boys were just like, ‘OK, we’re good,’ and they relaxed a little bit.

“Dave (Brown) and his boys were not OK with that. We were outbattled, outworked and outclassed.”

Indeed, the Knights responded strongly and tied the game less than 10 minutes later when Ryan Leonard scored off Johnny Roussakis’ corner kick.

It was 1-1 at halftime before Davis put the Knights ahead, charging down the middle of the field to collect a loose ball and ripping a shot into the back of the net with 35:11 to go.

Davis was playing defensive midfielder, but he saw an opportunity to excite a large Lincoln-Way Central crowd.

“A lot of the time I hold back a little more in the second half to keep us defensively sound,” he said. “I got a chance and I took it. I just remember scoring and then yells and screams.

“It was incredible. I love when the fans come out.”