Timothy Christian soccer player Jimmy Allen is the Athlete of the Week sponsored by Gracik Makinney

Jimmy Allen

Timothy Christian

Soccer, Forward

Senior

Allen scored eight goals in Timothy Christian's two regional wins, and added the game-winning goal in the Trojans' 3-2 win over Kaneland in the sectional semifinals – bringing his season total to 21 and career total to a program-record 108. Allen, committed to Western Michigan for baseball, has missed parts of the season because of a hamstring injury but has returned to form of late. He scored 35 goals as a sophomore for Timothy Christian's Class 1A championship team. The Trojans, in their second season in Class 2A, will play Wheaton Academy in a sectional final Oct. 27.

Allen, the Suburban Life Athlete of the Week sponsored by Gracik Makinney, spoke with sports editor Joshua Welge about the season. Here's an edited transcript:

Welge: That was a tough game with Kaneland. What happened?

Allen: The first two minutes was probably some of the sloppiest soccer we have played all year. I think that was just nerves, to be honest. The rest of the game, once we got a goal it seemed to bring the team up. We started to possess the way we know how.

Welge: Your team is no stranger to playoff success, but not in 2A. How do you feel about the run you're on?

Allen: Ever since tryouts I knew we would have a special team. We have a lot of young talent. Last year was the first year we got bumped up to 2A, and we lost our first playoff game. We decided that we were going to put it all out there and show these underclassmen, teach the right way and encourage each other. It's been fun.

Welge: Eight goals in regionals, how did that happen?

Allen: We had a good regional, I scored a lot, but if people don't pass I don't score. I give credit to my teammates for helping me out. Most of my goals were teammates going down the sideline and crossing to me. They did all the hard work.

Welge: What kind of connection do you have with [teammate] Michael Martens [who has 30 goals and 20 assists himself]?

Allen: It's really special. I've known him since the fourth grade, we've been playing together at Timothy Christian since we were freshmen. We have some great chemistry.