Student Athlete of the Week Josh Rodriguez

Six years after his older brother Jason scored 13 goals for Niwot High School in 2017, Josh Rodriguez is currently enjoying his own stellar senior season for the Cougars boys soccer team.

The younger Rodriguez owns six of Niwot's eight goals scored, plus a pair of assists through three games. He credited his early success to his teammates, who together have the Cougars off to an undefeated start.

"I've known a lot of them for a while, so the chemistry is there," Rodriguez said. "It's obviously because of them I score the goals. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am."

In Niwot's most recent 2-1 triumph over George Washington on Aug. 30, Rodriguez netted both the game-tying and game-winning goals.

"The first half of the game was terrible. As a team, we just didn't play how we should have," he said. "In that second half after that first goal, we just got fired up and took control of the game and played how we were supposed to."

Rodriguez, a second-year varsity forward, said it was his first game-winning goal at Niwot. Last year, he scored six goals and was second on the team with nine assists.

Simplifying each game down to his one-on-one matchup has been largely beneficial for Rodriguez this fall. Although he doesn't own the most physically imposing stature, his above-average speed helps him create space against most defenders.

"Based on how the defender is, is how I base how I play," Rodriguez said. "If the defender is a lot more physical, which is usually the case, I just use my speed to get around him, and I can use it to either score or assist goals."

Rodriguez's approach to soccer is largely centered around how his older brother moved on the pitch.

"I base my playing style off of him," Rodriguez said of Jason Rodriguez, who was in attendance for Niwot's first two games this season. "We kind of play similarly. When he was in high school, we were kind of the same build and same height, so I take after him."

As of Sept. 3, Rodriguez is nine goals behind his brother's mark of 19 career goals scored. It won't be easy, but the senior has his sights set on eclipsing that nearing number.

With his high school days dwindling, Rodriguez hopes that his skills can one day translate to the professional level. He's also considering college as a future option.

Niwot still has 11 regular season games remaining, though, and Rodriguez is eyeing a "memorable" finish to his career.

"Whether we win state or not, I want it to be special," he said.