Naperville North juniors Jack and Luke Bouska share an inseparable bond.
They’re fraternal twins, but that isn’t the only reason.
“We played every sport together,” Jack Bouska said. “We’ve always had that special connection.
“We also have this instinct that we know where we are on the field. When we need help, we help each other, and I think that’s very special and important.”
The Bouska brothers made their varsity debuts last season. Jack Bouska was the starting goalkeeper, posting 14 shutouts and a 0.75 goals-against average. Luke Bouska came off the bench as a midfielder and contributed one goal as the Huskies won the Class 3A third-place game.
Luke Bouska worked his way into the starting lineup this season, first at midfielder and then, after senior Niko Ladas got injured, at defender in front of Jack Bouska, who has 11 shutouts and a 0.66 GAA for the Huskies (18-1-1).
“Jack’s been great,” Naperville North coach Jim Konrad said. “One thing that stands out is he’s been way better at directing the back line and he’s been more vocal this year. You get more confident as you get older.”
Jack Bouska’s awareness is another strength. He always knows the location of the ball.
“He’s locked in,” Luke Bouska said. “You can look at pictures of him, and his eyes are wide open and he’s hard focused on the ball. He’s always ready for any shot coming at him, always on his toes.”
That’s been especially true of Jack Bouska this season.
“He’s matured a lot,” Luke Bouska said. “He’s talking more and getting better connections with the back line. Everything is better. He’s more vocal. His confidence is up. He’s adapting to the game very well.”
Jack Bouska is on the autism spectrum. It’s not something he publicizes, but he doesn’t shy away from talking about it.
“I’ve had people throughout my life who have helped me,” he said. “When I played sports at a young age, obviously I had some people who were there to help me whenever I was in need.
“They were able to help me grow to what I am today, and I’m very thankful.”
Jack Bouska is focused on working hard at practice to get 1% better every day. He has improved, even if that may not be apparent to the casual observer because the Huskies have a great defense.
“There’s times when Jack doesn’t have to come up big, but when he does, he has for us,” Konrad said. “That’s the tough thing about goalkeeper. There’s long stretches of not having to do much, and all of a sudden, there’s a flurry, and you have to be big in a second, and Jack’s done a nice job of that for us.”
Jack Bouska made two saves as Naperville North closed out the regular season with a 4-1 victory against visiting Downers Grove South in Naperville on Thursday.
He is enjoying every minute of the team’s quest to win the 3A state championship. The top-seeded Huskies, who have won all of their games against Illinois opponents, will play 15th-seeded East Aurora or 17th-seeded Plainfield South in the East Aurora Regional semifinals on Tuesday.
“It’s awesome playing with this group of guys,” Jack Bouska said. “I love them. I’ve learned a lot from them. I’ve grown special connections with them.
“It’s awesome to play at the school, and I’m very thankful for this opportunity, and I hope that I can continue to play well, and hopefully we make a run.”
Both Jack and Luke Bouska aspire to play college soccer. They also want to help others, perhaps as physical therapists, as a way of giving back.
“I want to help more people that are in need so they can grow and mature and get to the point where I am too,” Jack Bouska said.
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.