Lee boys looking for gold ball this season

[KFDM COOP]

Lee boys looking for gold ball this season

By Michael Pineda

Baytown Sun 

Published January 10, 2008

Last season was about breaking through for the Lee boys’ soccer team.

This year is about maintaining momentum.

Despite returning only two full-time starters from the 2007 District 21-5A runner-up squad, Lee head coach Criss Dippel believes the Ganders will again be in the mix to qualify for the playoffs for what would be only the second time since 1996.

The quest for a playoff berth begins today when Lee opens its season at The Woodlands soccer tournament.

Lee takes on The Woodlands’ Highlanders at 1 p.m.

“Winning a gold ball is our goal whether it be a district championship or a bi-district championship,†Dippel said. “We are more athletic this year and we are deeper. We have quality people to back up our starters.

“Our defense will have to be able to communicate. We think we have the people to put the ball in the net. It just depends on if we are able to keep people out of the net.â€

While the Ganders have talent on the defensive end of the field, it is largely inexperienced with two starters that have no high school experience.

It did not matter in Tuesday’s preseason scrimmage against Sterlig. The group that will get the start today for the Rangers held the Ganders without a shot.

Freshman Johnny Pulido will team up with sophomore Manuel Flores, who will fill in at sweeper. Flores did not play last season to concentrate on his grades.

“He is a straight A student and sees the field well and communicates well,†Dippel said. “He has good athletic ability.

“Johnny has shown more maturity and ball control than any freshman that I have had. He is ready to play with the big boys and make an impact.â€

Filling out the remainder of the defense in the Ganders’ 4-3-3 alignment will be senior Patrick Christian and junior Manuel Martinez.

Christian is a three-year

letterman but a newcomer to defense. He has grown into his new position. Martinez has moved to the outside from sweeper to take advantage of his speed and ball skills.

At midfield, the Ganders are comfortable with junior Wilson Irias at center-mid.

“He is my truest soccer player,†Dippel said. “Wilson has excellent field vision and has one of the best shots on the team. I wish I had 11 of him.â€

Starting at right mid will be sophomore Edgar Sanchez, who was a member of the junior varsity last season and is referred to as a “little Wilson.†Junior Luis Camacho will start at left midfield and will also see time at forward.

In 2007, Ulises Irias was named first team all-district goaltender but will move to forward this season. The 6-2, 240-pound senior runs a 4.7 forty and has signed with William Penn but is on other schools’ radar.

Joining Irias will be Baytown Sun Newcomer of the Year Benito Huerta. Last season the junior scored 10 goals in district play and was second team all-district. Junior Adrian Ollivierre will fill the third spot at forward.

Ollivierre spent last season on the junior varsity and was called up to the varsity at the end of the season and saw time in the playoff game against South Houston.

Getting the starting nod in the goal this season will be senior Jose Cornejo. Last season Cornejo saw time at forward and shined in the goal in the shootout loss to South Houston.

“He is pretty good,†Dippel said. “We just have to work on communicating. He’s pretty quiet.â€

Among those expected to see plenty of time off of the bench is senior Octavio Torres, who has the ability to play every position on the field.

[SFA]

Wow! A newspaper article about a high school soccer team.  I am sure the local rags would never travel down that path.

Way to go Baytown Sun.  Thank you for spending some ink on the hardwork and accomplishments of some of you local students who are not football or basketball players.