Bowser values winning ahead of personal goals
High-scoring Bowser has program records in reach but focuses more on winning
Chesteron senior has records within reach, but seeks another state title run.
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If Chesterton’s Zack Bowser continues to increase his production at his current rate, he’ll enter even more rarefied air.
Program records are within his grasp.
But such individual pursuits are far from the senior forward’s mind.
As a sophomore, Bowser tasted the sweetness of Chesterton’s undefeated run to the Class 3A state title. The Mount Vernon Nazarene commit is hungry to finish his high school career by returning to that level.
The Trojans also were undefeated last season until dropping a 2-0 decision to Northridge in a Penn Regional semifinal. Twelve of those players, including eight starters, have graduated. But Chesterton’s championship aspirations haven’t changed.
“It’s definitely realistic,” Bowser said. “The thought of losing 12 seniors, it didn’t seem that way at first. But seeing us at practice, how everyone’s working, we haven’t missed a beat from the last two years.
“The intensity has been up, and everyone is looking forward to the season and committed. Everyone has the same goal. We all want to make it to state again. The younger kids are stepping up and filling in roles that the seniors last year left. A lot of people are stepping up.”
There are six seniors on Chesterton’s roster, including goalkeeper Charlie Eaton and midfielder Nick Biel. Both also started as sophomores when the Trojans won their breakthrough title in 2018.
That season, Bowser had team highs of 20 goals and nine assists.
He had 26 goals and 14 assists last season, when he was an honorable mention all-state selection.
Third-year coach Lucas Sabedra described Bowser as “the most dangerous player” in the Region, if not the state.
“There hasn’t been one other 3A player consistent like that in the state besides Seth Conway,” Sabedra said.
As a senior last season,
Conway had a programrecord 28 goals and a record-tying 16 assists. He was a first-team all-state pick and the Duneland Athletic Conference MVP.
Conway and Bowser formed a dynamic duo. Now Bowser has to adjust.
“I might get a little more pressure on me,” Bowser said. “Teams knew me and Seth were our big goalscorers, so they might guard up on me. But that means other players will have more space, and I can pass the ball and get other players more involved.”
Bowser already has started to develop connections with players such as junior midfielder Ryan O’Dell, who was hampered by heel problems last season; junior midfielder Liam Grimes; and junior forward Tommy Oros. Sabedra has been impressed with this group overall.
“Zack has a great cast around him. … More guys will be involved in putting up goals and assists this year,” Sabedra said.
“Our team and offense has a lot of great chemistry right now. The way they move the ball and play off each other is quicker than last year. We are less direct and more possessive.”
Chesterton is scheduled to open its season against Northridge on Saturday. En route to their 2018 state title, the Trojans beat Northridge in dramatic fashion in the Goshen Regional final, with Bowser converting the decisive penalty kick with less than five minutes left in the 4-3 win.
“I definitely want to be a great leader on this team,” Bowser said. “I want them to know how bad I want it so they can want it too. I just hope I can be a big influence on this team.”