Originally from Elgin, Daria Perez studied ballet and then soccer.
However, becoming a ballerina was not what she wanted.
“I was actually really bad at it,” Perez said. Perez has become a pretty good senior midfielder during that time. “I never considered myself to be much of a dancer and not very conditioned to dance.
“I was 5 years old. My dad grew up playing soccer in Mexico, so he put the ball at my feet. I loved it and I've been playing ever since.”
Perez displayed grace, toughness and skill for the host Maroons in a 0-0 nonconference tie against Glenbard North on Tuesday night.
Now Perez moves and flows like a dancer, but he does so in a soccer context, anticipating and reading the ball and influencing the flow and shape of his team's attack.
“As a midfielder, I feel like I really want to control the game,” said Perez, who had a team-high four goals and three assists this spring. “I have never played any other position.
“I try to stay calm and hold the ball and never do anything unnecessary or crazy like kicking the ball around. I love a nice, calm, simple game.”
Her authority and playing style emphasizes the Maroons' (2-4-2) composition and rhythm.
As a second-year captain, she impacts every aspect of the game. She is also the ideal mentor for talented freshman forward Michelle Ayala, who had three goals and one assist.
“Daria always pushes me to do my best,” Ayala said. “She’s a great leader and she taught me how to compete when I was pressuring or dealing with little issues like communication.
“She's good with the ball. She's a great passer and is always looking for others. I respect her, I want to be like her too.”
Elgin coach Alicia Knoll has watched Perez grow from a shy, insecure freshman to a recognized general who commands the Maroons' games.
“The thing about Dahlia is that she has such a great fight inside of her,” Noll said. “She never quits when she's playing and she shows that to her teammates.
“Her whole demeanor is exceptional. She loves to score, she loves her team, and she'll work hard no matter what.”
Perez shares that dedication with his teammates. His personality is cheeky and free-spirited.
“I'm pretty picky on the field,” she said. “I try to develop my teammates to play their best and push them to play their best. If you're going to do that, you have to work hard.
“I can't tell them to do something I haven't done myself.”
Perez assumes the overlapping roles of scorer, playmaker and leader for the Maroons, who graduated 12 seniors from the team last year.
“I've been competitive all my life,” she said. “I have also played for high-level clubs and that experience has made me even more competitive.
“I don't like losing. I don't think anyone who plays the game thinks so. It's something that's always inside me.”
Perez, a native of Illinois Wesleyan, sparked Division I and Division II interest in the college. She is an elite student who was seeking a balance between pursuing her nursing career and playing competitive soccer.
Even after leaving ballet, Perez still retained his talent and artistic expression.
That part of her is essential.
“An athlete's personality is always shown during play,” Perez said. “I always want to have the best time I can. Win, lose or draw, I feel like I left everything on the field.
“That's what gives me satisfaction.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for Beacon News.