Naperville North’s Josh Pedersen played in the shadow of older, more experienced teammates for three seasons.
As a senior, Pedersen has the spotlight all to himself.
“It’s my turn now, finally,” he said.
Pedersen has played several positions during his four-year varsity career. As a freshman, he played forward, which is his typical position. But Naperville North coach Jim Konrad moved Pedersen to defense the following year and toggled him between offense and defense last season because the Huskies got plenty of goals from All-Americans Noah Radeke and Jaxon Stokes.
With Radeke and Stokes playing at Lindenwood and Belmont, respectively, the Huskies need Pedersen’s scoring prowess.
“He’ll be up top all year,” Konrad said. “He’ll be our main guy to score goals.”
Pedersen, who is committed to Bowling Green, is primed for his starring role and the attention that comes with it.
“I love that,” he said. “Pressure makes diamonds.”
The Huskies have a gem in Pedersen, who shined in the season opener on Tuesday. He recorded a goal and an assist during Naperville North’s 3-0 win at West Chicago.
Naperville North’s Josh Pedersen (11) dribbles past two West Chicago defenders during a nonconference game in West Chicago on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. (Jon Langham / Naperville Sun)
Pedersen took a lead pass from senior midfielder Anthony Flores and scored on an 18-yard laser just 2:07 after kickoff. That was all the offense the Huskies needed as senior goalkeeper Jack Bouska made six saves to record the shutout.
But Pedersen was far from done showcasing his skills.
“Electric” is the word being bandied about to describe Pedersen’s play.
“He gets the ball, and he’s got a fantastic burst, and he has a knack of kind of reading the flow of the game and then exploding against it,” Konrad said. “He’ll know where the opening is going to be, like on that touch late where he turned the corner. Incredible.”
The Huskies, who increased their lead to 2-0 on senior forward Brian Biederman’s goal at the 17:54 mark of the first half, put the Wildcats in an insurmountable hole with 34:40 left in the second half. That’s when Pedersen dashed around the right end and centered a perfect cross to Indiana-bound senior midfielder Sam Hess, who buried the one-timer to make it 3-0.
Naperville North’s Josh Pedersen, from left, Sam Hess and Brian Biederman celebrate after Hess scored a goal during a nonconference game at West Chicago on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. (Jon Langham / Naperville Sun)
“That’s something me and Josh practice during practices, a little flick on the throw-in,” Hess said. “So I got the ball thrown in to me, I flicked it to Brian, and then Brian hit it to Josh through.
“I continued my run, and I called for it from Josh. He knew I was there, and he played a perfect ball.”
The Huskies expect to see more plays like that from Pedersen, who not only accelerates quickly but also knows what he’s going to do before he gets to where he’s going.
“I think Josh’s speed is probably his biggest attribute, but two other ones that I think are important are his spacing and his execution or positioning,” Hess said. “So he’s always in the right space to get the ball, and then obviously once he uses that speed, he can always finish the ball in the back of the net.”
Pedersen has always been fast, but now he’s stronger, wiser and more experienced.
“This is his fourth year,” Konrad said. “To play varsity four years, you’re a special kid, and the way he’s grown, especially the jump from last year to this year, I’m thrilled.
“I think he’s going to have a great year. He’s already committed, so that kind of took some pressure off him. He’s going to be a handful for teams to sort out defensively.”
Naperville North’s Josh Pedersen controls the ball during a nonconference game at West Chicago on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. (Jon Langham / Naperville Sun)
Pedersen credits great teammates and great coaches around him for helping him with his technical development. He repays their help with his willingness to play all over the field.
“Through all my years in club, I’ve played up top, and it’s sort of my thing,” Pedersen said. “But my coach needed me somewhere else for the past two years, and I was totally fine with it.
“I like to keep a versatile mind, playing wherever I can, wherever I’m needed. I just like to help out where I can.”
Unlike in past seasons, opponents will know exactly where Pedersen will be playing this season. Stopping him, though, might prove difficult.
“Good luck,” Konrad said.
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/27/soccer-naperville-north-josh-pedersen/