The goal still brings a smile to Israel Padilla’s face.

It’s May 18, 2007, Padilla and the Hazen soccer team is tied 1-1 with Newport in a state quarterfinal game. With less than two minutes left in the game, the Highlanders have a free kick from the left wing. The ball was deflected away from the goal and directly to Padilla.

Suddenly the spotlight was squarely on the freshman.

“I was so nervous,” Padilla said. “But it turned out great for me and for the team.”

Padilla, who had played on JV through the entire regular season, didn’t disappoint. He nailed the point-blank kick and Hazen won. Two games later, the Highlanders won the 3A state title.

Now a senior, Padilla and the Highlanders haven’t reached those same heights again, but he has become a vital part of the Hazen soccer machine.

“He’s a real catalyst,” said Hazen coach Rich Gouk. “A lot of guys look up to him and respect him for his playing abilities. Some of them are really trying to emulate him.”

Padilla, one of the team’s captains, plays at forward and outside mid-field. He is second on the team in scoring with five goals this year.

Padilla was born in Chile and lived there until his family moved to Renton when he was 15. Since then it has been soccer and Hazen – Padilla doesn’t play club soccer. He hopes to play at college next season, but he isn’t sure where yet.

On the field it’s his speed and ability to slow the game down that makes him a good weapon.

“I just stay calm and do what I’ve got to do,” Padilla said. “I use my speed to get the job done.”

It’s been a streaky season for the team. Hazen won its first game of the year in blowout style, 11-1 over Renton. Then came a 1-5 run with the losses coming by 9 total goals. Hazen bounced back to win three straight in the middle of April.

“We started again in the middle of the season,” Padilla said. “We were playing bad at first, but the team’s attitude changed. That’s made us better.”