Baldwin ? Dustin Schiller might as well pick a number out of a hat and decide which position he’ll play on the soccer field based on his selection.

This fall, it didn’t matter what position the Baldwin High junior played – forward, midfielder or defender – he was crucial in the Bulldogs’ 12-5-1 season.

“My most favorite position is forward because I like getting into most of the action, getting assists, getting goals and trying to outrun defenders,” Schiller said.

Schiller’s 19 assists and 15 goals on the season earned him recognition as the All-Area Boys Soccer Player of the Year.

Note how Schiller mentioned assisting in goals before scoring goals in his initial quote. That’s not just a coincidence, but rather how Schiller unselfishly plays the game.

“He is the epitome of a team player,” Baldwin coach Gus Wegner said of Schiller. “He would rather pass than score. And he can score. That, to me, is the mark of a team player that is willing to sacrifice any glory that he would like to receive to the benefit of the team.”

Schiller might be faster than every player he faces, but it’s how he controls his athletic ability that truly makes him elite. It’s as if Schiller has 10 sets of eyeballs for each spot on the field. His ability to find the open man is brilliant.

His confidence is humble and even noticeable, but not linked to arrogance. When Wegner mentioned that goalkeeper was the only position he didn’t play, Schiller looked down and smiled.

“I can play that, too,” Schiller said, laughing.

Since Schiller had so many assists, someone had to be the beneficiary. Senior Fernando Chuery had the powerful foot that led the Bulldogs in scoring this season. Chuery, a native of Brazil, flooded the stat sheet night after night with 26 goals.

Chuery is one of seven Baldwin players graduating this year. Although his production – including eight assists – will be missed, expect Schiller to be the face of the Bulldogs next season. Wegner just has to decide where to play him.

“I’d say forward or midfield,” Wegner said. “He’s a catalyst for a lot of things to happen. There aren’t many players that you can say that they can help to galvanize the team around them. He’s one of those who’s been able to excel this year.”

Schiller has excelled longer than one season, though. Before Baldwin implemented a soccer team, Schiller played in the Olathe Soccer Club from the third to sixth grades. His love for the game traces all the way back to kindergarten in San Antonio, Texas, even honed on rigid playing surfaces.

“I used to play on the streets barefooted,” Schiller said. “The whole neighborhood came out, and we used to all play barefoot. I don’t know why.”

Schiller moved to Olathe in the third grade, and Baldwin in the seventh.

He said he’d welcome the opportunity to play soccer in college, but hasn’t seriously thought that far ahead yet. After all, he still has his senior year.

“I’ve considered it,” Schiller said. “I would rather go to a big school, but if a littler school gave me an opportunity, I’d probably take a visit.”