GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER
With 18 seniors departed from last year’s team, coach Elias Moran and the Edinburg North boys soccer team are working with an almost entirely clean slate.
But that doesn’t mean they’re backing down from the goal of repeating as District 31-6A champions. North proved itself as a contender on Tuesday, knocking off Weslaco East 1-0 to open the district season.
Overall, the Cougars have eight wins, eight draws and three losses.
“We have a new team, no experience at all,” Moran said. “But we play a very disciplined, tactical formation, and the kids have responded pretty good. We attack when we have to attack, but we have the most experienced kids in the defense, so we’re trying to hold teams and then counter attack them. That’s how we’re getting the results.”
Returning All-Valley First Team keeper Eudar Escobar anchors that defense. Center defender Luis Calvillo is the only other senior in the lineup, and sophomore defender Estevan Lopez is the Cougars’ only other returning starter.
Freshman Ernesto Nevarez has also been strong on the back end.
“We have solid defense,” Moran said. “Thanks to that, we can control the games.”
One of North’s strengths is the ability to mix and match formations based on opponent, something the young team has taken to quickly.
The majority of the lineup is comprised of sophomores and juniors, with Nevarez and midfielder Francisco Cantu also earning starting roles as freshmen.
“They’re always the first ones there and the last ones to go,” Moran said. “They have a very bright, bright future with our team.”
SETTLING IN
Leading scorer Diego Ramirez and the Sharyland Pioneer boys soccer team are showing the benefits of a year of experience.
Coach Alex Lopez has established his system after taking over the new program last year, and Ramirez has learned to become a more heady player to complement his speed.
“His technical ability has certainly gotten better from last year,” Lopez said. “I feel he’s gotten more mature in his way of thinking. His speed is probably his biggest weapon. I think he’s learned the system a lot better. That’s what’s making him successful right now.”
The attack has been a strength for the Diamondbacks in the early going. Four different players scored goals for Pioneer during Tuesday’s win against Rio Grande City: Leo Rios, Leo Aguilar, Eros Martinez, and Jose Luis Gonzalez.
Still, with only five returning starters, Pioneer has shown signs of inexperience at times. Lopez said players adjusting to varsity has been the team’s biggest source of adversity to this point.
Several freshmen and sophomores have earned spots in the lineup, and other players have switched positions. Victor Guerra has been particularly effective moving from goalie to stopper.
“We got off to a slow start, but we’ve made some adjustments,” Lopez said. “We’re finally starting to get into season form.”
WELL ROUNDED
The Edinburg North girls team has picked up right where it left off last season, spearheaded by returning forwards Gloria Gutierrez and Itzamar Rios.
The Lady Cougars have seven returning starters in all and opened their District 31-6A title defense with a 7-2 win against Weslaco East on Tuesday.
“I think we’re coming along pretty good,” coach Daniel Valdez said. “(Our experience) pays off quite a bit.”
Gutierrez and Rios have again been the team’s leading scorers. Gutierrez attacks with her speed and skill, while Rios shines because of her relentless effort, Valdez said.
“She runs down every ball that’s given to her, and she actually is very unselfish,” Valdez said. “One of the reasons Gloria has a lot of goals is she’s been assisted by Itzamar. Instead of taking the shots, she passes to Gloria, and Gloria is never going to pass up a goal.”
Despite their prowess up front, Valdez said Edinburg North always thinks defense first. Sarah Whitesides, typically a sweeper, has been holding down the goalie position while normal starter Nikki Jo Rodriguez finishes out basketball season.
Defender Lynnda Lozano and midfielders Melanie Moreno and Jasmine Rodriguez have also been early keys.
“They get along well with each other, and with girls soccer that’s very important,” Valdez said. “The chemistry is there. They’ve played together for a while already.”
BY GREG LUCA
STAFF WRITER
With 18 seniors departed from last year’s team, coach Elias Moran and the Edinburg North boys soccer team are working with an almost entirely clean slate.
But that doesn’t mean they’re backing down from the goal of repeating as District 31-6A champions. North proved itself as a contender on Tuesday, knocking off Weslaco East 1-0 to open the district season. Overall, the Cougars have eight wins, eight draws and three losses.
“We have a new team, no experience at all,” Moran said. “But we play a very disciplined, tactical formation, and the kids have responded pretty good. We attack when we have to attack, but we have the most experienced kids in the defense, so we’re trying to hold teams and then counter attack them. That’s how we’re getting the results.”
Returning All-Valley First Team keeper Eudar Escobar anchors that defense. Center defender Luis Calvillo is the only other senior in the lineup, and sophomore defender Estevan Lopez is the Cougars’ only other returning starter.
Freshman Ernesto Nevarez has also been strong on the back end.
“We have solid defense,” Moran said. “Thanks to that, we can control the games.”
One of North’s strengths is the ability to mix and match formations based on opponent, something the young team has taken to quickly.
The majority of the lineup is comprised of sophomores and juniors, with Nevarez and midfielder Francisco Cantu also earning starting roles as freshmen.
“They’re always the first ones there and the last ones to go,” Moran said. “They have a very bright, bright future with our team.”
SETTLING IN
Leading scorer Diego Ramirez and the Sharyland Pioneer boys soccer team are showing the benefits of a year of experience.
Coach Alex Lopez has established his system after taking over the new program last year, and Ramirez has learned to become a more heady player to complement his speed.
“His technical ability has certainly gotten better from last year,” Lopez said. “I feel he’s gotten more mature in his way of thinking. His speed is probably his biggest weapon. I think he’s learned the system a lot better. That’s what’s making him successful right now.”
The attack has been a strength for the Diamondbacks in the early going. Four different players scored goals for Pioneer during Tuesday’s win against Rio Grande City: Leo Rios, Leo Aguilar, Eros Martinez, and Jose Luis Gonzalez.
Still, with only five returning starters, Pioneer has shown signs of inexperience at times. Lopez said players adjusting to varsity has been the team’s biggest source of adversity to this point.
Several freshmen and sophomores have earned spots in the lineup, and other players have switched positions. Victor Guerra has been particularly effective moving from goalie to stopper.
“We got off to a slow start, but we’ve made some adjustments,” Lopez said. “We’re finally starting to get into season form.”
WELL ROUNDED
The Edinburg North girls team has picked up right where it left off last season, spearheaded by returning forwards Gloria Gutierrez and Itzamar Rios.
The Lady Cougars have seven returning starters in all and opened their District 31-6A title defense with a 7-2 win against Weslaco East on Tuesday.
“I think we’re coming along pretty good,” coach Daniel Valdez said. “(Our experience) pays off quite a bit.”
Gutierrez and Rios have again been the team’s leading scorers. Gutierrez attacks with her speed and skill, while Rios shines because of her relentless effort, Valdez said.
“She runs down every ball that’s given to her, and she actually is very unselfish,” Valdez said. “One of the reasons Gloria has a lot of goals is she’s been assisted by Itzamar. Instead of taking the shots, she passes to Gloria, and Gloria is never going to pass up a goal.”
Despite their prowess up front, Valdez said Edinburg North always thinks defense first. Sarah Whitesides, typically a sweeper, has been holding down the goalie position while normal starter Nikki Jo Rodriguez finishes out basketball season.
Defender Lynnda Lozano and midfielders Melanie Moreno and Jasmine Rodriguez have also been early keys.
“They get along well with each other, and with girls soccer that’s very important,” Valdez said. “The chemistry is there. They’ve played together for a while already.”
[email protected]