It wasn’t supposed to be this way for Lincoln-Way East senior Jack Dudzik.

Sure, Dudzik is a defender for the Griffins, but he knows how to maximize his opportunities around the net. It’s probably because he’s only playing on the back line by chance.

“I didn’t really choose to be a defender,” he said. “It just kind of happened that way.

“I was an outside midfielder. They moved me to left back and eventually to center back.”

His offensive origins showed Tuesday night, however, with a goal on a header in the sixth minute that held up for a 1-0 victory over Lincoln-Way Central in Frankfort.

In its regular-season finale, Lincoln-Way East (9-9-1) improved to 7-4 in the last 11 games, this one being a SouthWest Suburban Conference crossover between district rivals.

Senior midfielder Michael Lee created Dudzik’s scoring chance off a corner kick. Junior goalkeeper Noah Brown clinched the win with a sensational save in the closing minutes.

That shot came on a header by senior midfielder Johnny Roussakis for the Knights (12-3-1). In his last game at home, though, Dudzik checked things off his personal list.

“Helping us get the clean sheet and also scoring the winning goal was great,” he said. “There’s a good rivalry between us. Most of us know each other from playing club.

“We had never beaten them during my three years of varsity.”

Dudzik exemplifies the positionless player — a natural athlete who roams the field.

“Jack is just an all-around player,” Lincoln-Way East coach Matthew Ribbens said. “He started out playing outside midfielder. We only play three in the back, and I put a lot of trust in him being the only central defender.

“He’s had a couple of assists and a couple of big-time goals like tonight.”

Dudzik’s skill on set pieces is another strong component of his game. As one of the Griffins’ specialists on free kicks, he generated several tantalizing scoring chances.

Senior midfielder Caden Udani confirmed he has created a special bond in being a captain with Dudzik, his alter ego.

“I think it’s really special having two people who are at two very different parts of the pitch,” Udani said. “You have Jack screaming at the back, and I scream at people in the front.

“That’s a great dynamic of whoever I can reach or cover back there, I know that Jack can do that. I know he also has the trust in me when we are attacking to stop the other team.”

Udani said their leadership styles are similar — quiet, direct and to the point.

“I mainly like to lead by example, and I think Jack is the same way,” he said. “He is very passionate, very good at getting the guys together.

“It’s almost a work-in-silence thing where you want people watching you and you want people not only to listen to you but follow you.”

The strategy paid off Tuesday as Lincoln-Way East dictated the tempo and dominated possession.

Daily Southtown

Twice-weekly

News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday

Dudzik, who helped the Griffins post their second straight shutout and sixth of the season, pointed to his father, John, as a primary influence. Dudzik started playing at age 2.

“My dad played the same position,” Dudzik said. “I think parts I got from him and the rest I picked up on my own.

“He’s always encouraging me to be a scrappy defender, but I tell him I can’t — that I have my own style and way of playing.”

Lincoln-Way East plays next at conference rival Lockport in a regional semifinal on Wednesday, Oct. 18. Dudzik will be ready.

“I have always had a passion for the game, for the big moment,” he said. “You see the game on TV, what happens out there with the passion on the field.

“Scoring a goal gives me an adrenaline rush.”

Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.