As the calendar switched to 2019, both the girls and boys soccer teams are getting ready to start the new season. For the girls, they want to advance even farther in the playoffs than last year, where their memorable season came to an end in double overtime of their fourth round postseason matchup. For the boys, they want to continue to build chemistry as a team and improve upon their record from last year.

Boys Soccer

The boys were not shy in saying that last year—when they finished with a final record of 5-10-1—was not their best. Junior outside back Sean Murphy said that they need to work even harder this year to get where they want to be.

“I want to see the team work more as a unit this year,” Murphy said. “We struggled last year and I think that’s because the felt more like a group of individuals rather than a whole team.”

Junior left midfielder Michael Ernand said he is looking forward to building their team unison and overcoming challenges as a team.

“We need to be able to trust each other on the field and find unity as a team so that we can come together to win games,” Ernand said.

Junior center midfielder Kai Nahuina said he is very excited to be a part of the team this year and that he sees the team finding chemistry the more they play together and work as a team.

“Being [in] my junior year, I’m happy to play a more commanding role in the team with our new district,” Nahuina said. “I would expect a good season with all the hard work we have been putting in.”

The boys team won a preseason tournament but fell in their season opener to Leander, 3-1. The boys next travel to Hutto on Jan. 15 to take on the Hutto Hippos.

“We have to stay focused on being the best we can be,” Murphy said.

Here is a link to their full 2019 schedule.

Girls Soccer

The girls had a memorable 2018 campaign, as they finished 13-2-1 and ultimately fell in the fourth round of the playoffs to Kingwood Park in two overtimes.

Both senior captain Ainsley Forbes and senior center back Carly Rowe said that there are only six returning varsity players, so the team has been working on their team chemistry and learning how everyone plays.

“Since we are learning a new formation with inexperienced players, it is so important for us to work together and to be patient in achieving our goals that we set throughout the season,” Rowe said. “We have a faster and definitely more hard working team this year, so I don’t doubt for a second that we will go far.”

Forbes said that Coach Gamble has been helping the girls to understand the new formation, since it’s different from last year.

“[Coach Gamble] wants us all to be able to get to the point where we trust the team shape,” Forbes said.

The 2019 season will be the last stint for the seniors. Senior forward Maria Rico said she is looking forward to partaking in all of the traditions for one last year.

“Everyone on the team is growing very close to each other,” Rico said. “The fans should [definitely] be excited to see it reflect on the field this season.”

The girls are competing in a tournament in Georgetown to start the season. Here is a link to their full 2019 schedule.