Boys soccer hopes to keep district championship pace

Sophomore+Benji+Merrick+maneuvers+down+field+to+avoid+the+defense.+

Shae Daugherty

Sophomore Benji Merrick maneuvers down field to avoid the defense.

Joe Vastano, Staff Reporter

The boys soccer team (10-5-3, 9-1-1) hosts a struggling North Forney team (3-12, 1-9) at 7:15 p.m. as the Leopards hope to secure three more points with a win, keeping on pace for a district championship.

“The best preparation for playoffs will be to end the district season on a high note, [which] means winning our last three games, which will secure the district title,” assistant coach Ian Keeble said. “Ending the district season on a positive run will give the team confidence heading into playoffs.”

Looking ahead towards playoffs, Keeble said the team won’t be making too many changes to their play style.

“There will be some tactical things we can introduce to the boys to give us a different look in the playoffs, but for the most part, it will be back to the basics; winning one-versus-one battles, the offensive and defensive principles of play, and set pieces,” Keeble said.

On Tuesday, the Leopards defeated district foe Wylie East (6-8, 6-5), who is sitting currently at the number four spot in district, by a score of 2-1.

“Last game we did really well staying composed considering we were tied at halftime,” sophomore Christin Kwon said. “We played our game and scored two goals within the last 20 minutes. We could improve by finishing earlier in the game and not waiting until the second half.”

With the season winding down, the Leopards have put themselves in a position to not only take home the district title, but go into the state playoffs with a high seed and high expectations. In order to do so, they would have to secure a victory against Mesquite Poteet (8-3-3, 8-2-1) who is currently one point behind the Leopards.