Soccer prepares for upcoming season
By Barrett Roberson
Varsity boys soccer prepares to start their season against Frenship in Wolfforth, Texas on Dec. 30.
After a 5-9-1 season last year, the team has high hopes for this season after moving down 6A to 5A.
“I’m most looking forward to how we’re gonna be able to compete, since we’re obviously in a new district and playing different teams,” junior Rejoice Mitachi said. “We’re going to come in as the new guys, and we’re going to try to make some noise in the district.”
Some of the players are looking forward to moving down a district.
“I’m most looking forward to the easier district that we’re playing in,” senior Ivan Santana said. “The new players that were able to get through like the homeschool and things like that.”
Abilene school board trustees voted on July 4 to allow homeschooled students the ability to participate in sports with the high school. Still, players recognize the challenges that the new district could bring.
“The most challenging part will probably be competing in the lower district,” junior Raul Luna said. “Since we were in a higher district, they’re going to be going after us harder than ever before.”
While the team always faces challenges, individual players have to overcome their own adversity.
“The most challenging for me, personally, is that I’m just coming off an injury,” Mitachi said. “It’s going to be challenging recovering, trying to get back a starting spot, and trying to get some playing time on the team.”
The start of a season always brings hope for a team, and moving districts just multiplies that.
“I’m looking forward to the new season and new opportunities,” head coach Raul Castillo said. “I think we will be a really good team, a real competitive team, one of the top ones in our district and have a great season. My expectations are to be competitive every single game. I think we’re one of the top teams and I think we’re going have a really great year.”
Although the beginning of every year will always bring hope, there is a different feeling about this season.
“I feel like this team is different because we all rely on each other as a team,” Mitachi said. “Instead of like a few individuals.”
The Eagles hope to use this difference to help them succeed.
“The mentality is different this year,” Castillo said, “They want to be good, they’re hard workers, and they’ve been busting their butt all offseason and showing up every single day and they want to win.”
