The long road back turned out to be a bit shorter than expected for Homewood-Flossmoor’s David Ocasio.
Last season, Ocasio suffered a torn ACL in the Vikings’ playoff opener. He expected to miss part of his senior season this fall, but the team’s top defender was ready to go by opening day.
“It was super hard,” Ocasio said. “At first, I didn’t think I tore anything. It felt perfectly fine. But when they told me, it was tough. It felt like the longest nine months of my life. I thought I’d miss half the season this year.
“But coming back felt so good. I feel like I came back better than ever.”
Ocasio has been a huge part of a major turnaround for H-F. He led the defense Monday night as the host Vikings rolled to a 9-1 victory over Marian Catholic in Flossmoor.
Dax Curtis recorded a hat trick to lead H-F (6-8-2), while Damian Lopez and Alex Wettstein each scored two goals. Joshua Grant and Derrick Johnson chipped in with one goal apiece.
Homewood-Flossmoor’s David Ocasio (15) congratulates Joshua Grant (25) after his goal against Marian Catholic during a nonconference game in Flossmoor on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
Hector Cuin scored a goal for Marian Catholic (3-14).
Ocasio, meanwhile, made it through the gauntlet of a rehab process starting last November.
“I did physical therapy three times a week for about an hour and a half,” Ocasio said. “It slowly started progressing up to more and more physical things to get me back ready for soccer. It was pretty rough during the summer. It was hard to stay committed to it. But it’s definitely worth it now.”
Ocasio’s teammates are certainly glad he stuck with it and got healthy for the start of the season.
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Alex Wettstein (11) goes up for a header on a corner kick against Marian Catholic during a nonconference game in Flossmoor on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
“As he was making his way back in, that just made our team better,” Wettstein said. “He’s really helped us out. He seems like he’s better than ever now. He really wants it this year as a senior.”
Although Ocasio was able to accelerate the timeline and play when the season began, he was brought along slowly. About two or three weeks into the season, Ocasio took off the brace he had been wearing on his knee.
That’s when H-F coach Jairo Garcia saw the comeback hit full force.
“Whether it was a mental block or whatever, the moment that brace came off, he was back to being David,” Garcia said. “We tried to refrain from using him too much early in the season, but now he’s looking good.
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Damian Lopez (10) brings the ball up the field against Marian Catholic during a nonconference game in Flossmoor on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
“He was our MVP last season. He’s a player who makes a difference.”
Ocasio felt more like himself when the brace came off.
“That first game coming back without the brace felt amazing,” he said. “I felt so much faster. I felt like I gained everything back. That’s when I started really coming back and feeling better than ever.”
While Ocasio held down the back line Monday night, the offense clicked from the start. H-F jumped out to a 4-0 halftime lead and poured in five more goals during the second half.
It was quite the way to celebrate senior night.
Homewood-Flossmoor’s David Ocasio (15) brings the ball out of the zone against Marian Catholic during a nonconference game in Flossmoor on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
“It was so fun,” Lopez said. “We’ve been working for three or four years for this moment. We worked really hard in the summer and after hours to get better as a group.
“I’m just super proud of my team.”
The lopsided win over the rival Spartans — who beat the Vikings 6-2 last season — marked the continuation of a resurgence for H-F, which finished 4-16-1 in 2024.
The Vikings haven’t just won more games this season. They’ve been far more competitive against top teams.
Ocasio’s presence has been vital in that upswing. And he’s definitely enjoying the ride.
“It’s been so much better,” Ocasio said. “It’s not fun losing at all. Even the games we’ve lost this year, it’s way better. Last year, we were getting blown out. This year, they’re close games and fun games.”
