Sports Update
On the up-kick: Experience-heavy Panthers eager for 2013 prospects
BY Matt Welch, mwelch@starlocalnews.com
Despite falling short of a playoff berth in 2012, the chemistry and overall attitude displayed by the Plano East boys soccer team was enough to warrant a thumbs up from head coach Rick Woodard.
Fortunately for him, the Panthers have plenty of contributors back for 2013 and East is eying the results to coincide with the healthy vibes surrounding the team.
"A lot of them have matured quite a bit and that has helped us more than anything," Woodard said. "We scrimmaged Frisco Wakeland and beat them, 1-0, and that showed a lot. They're playing as a group and they understand what we're doing.
"It's been a lot of fun so far."
While East returns just 10 players from a 24-man roster, the experience the Panthers have back is notable as most of those players served key roles for the team last season.
"The good thing about (the experience) is that the guys who have come up from JV fit in perfect," Woodard said. "They know them all and it seems like it's been a pretty easy transition."
Several even garnered all-district mentions, including senior Gustavo Piedra, a former District 8-5A Newcomer of the Year. He headlines a veteran midfield that also features juniors Brian Balke, Daniel Antoniou and Derek Thompson.
"All the way across, this is a talented group," Woodard said.
Senior Tavis King is back following a first-team all-district campaign in 2012 and alongside returning senior Adam Schultz (2012 second team all-district midfielder), will commandeer the front line with both forwards primed to anchor East's scoring attack.
"During the (Allen) tournament, Adam Schultz scored three goals and Tavis got one," Woodard said. "They both had multiple opportunities that missed by inches or the keeper made a great save."
Similar experience is exhibited on defense, including first-team all-district senior Connor Cunningham and budding sophomore Parker Roland in the middle, while senior Armando Nevarez returns to play the outside. Senior Tommy Fabyan and junior Eric Mancias will also see reps, as will junior Johannes Abelle -- a foreign exchange student from Germany. East's biggest question mark lies in goal where the Panthers will decipher between juniors Richard Guillen, Fernando Rios Trevino, seniors Phillip Ferran and Brooks Roberts.
"It's a very unique year," Woodard said. "We have four keepers and I'm still waiting on one to step up and say that this is their job. During non-district, we're trying to find who the man will be because when district starts, all four won't play.
"It's a pretty serious competition."
Woodard added he's not keen of splitting time between keepers.
The Panthers have just under three weeks to sort that positional battle out, while the rest of the team continues to mesh in the build toward the Feb. 12 district opener against Allen.
East is 1-2 after opening the season for tournament action in Allen, with a 3-2 win over Richardson and losses to Rowlett (2-1) and Coppell (6-1). The Panthers will be on hand alongside several other Plano ISD counterparts in the Marcus Tournament from today until Saturday.
"We've got a good group," Woodard said. "With our district, it's going to be difficult for anyone to just run away with it this year, but I think this could be a very promising year for us."
For continued news and coverage on the local sports scene, follow @MWelchSCN on Twitter.
Fortunately for him, the Panthers have plenty of contributors back for 2013 and East is eying the results to coincide with the healthy vibes surrounding the team.
"A lot of them have matured quite a bit and that has helped us more than anything," Woodard said. "We scrimmaged Frisco Wakeland and beat them, 1-0, and that showed a lot. They're playing as a group and they understand what we're doing.
"It's been a lot of fun so far."
While East returns just 10 players from a 24-man roster, the experience the Panthers have back is notable as most of those players served key roles for the team last season.
"The good thing about (the experience) is that the guys who have come up from JV fit in perfect," Woodard said. "They know them all and it seems like it's been a pretty easy transition."
Several even garnered all-district mentions, including senior Gustavo Piedra, a former District 8-5A Newcomer of the Year. He headlines a veteran midfield that also features juniors Brian Balke, Daniel Antoniou and Derek Thompson.
"All the way across, this is a talented group," Woodard said.
Senior Tavis King is back following a first-team all-district campaign in 2012 and alongside returning senior Adam Schultz (2012 second team all-district midfielder), will commandeer the front line with both forwards primed to anchor East's scoring attack.
"During the (Allen) tournament, Adam Schultz scored three goals and Tavis got one," Woodard said. "They both had multiple opportunities that missed by inches or the keeper made a great save."
Similar experience is exhibited on defense, including first-team all-district senior Connor Cunningham and budding sophomore Parker Roland in the middle, while senior Armando Nevarez returns to play the outside. Senior Tommy Fabyan and junior Eric Mancias will also see reps, as will junior Johannes Abelle -- a foreign exchange student from Germany. East's biggest question mark lies in goal where the Panthers will decipher between juniors Richard Guillen, Fernando Rios Trevino, seniors Phillip Ferran and Brooks Roberts.
"It's a very unique year," Woodard said. "We have four keepers and I'm still waiting on one to step up and say that this is their job. During non-district, we're trying to find who the man will be because when district starts, all four won't play.
"It's a pretty serious competition."
Woodard added he's not keen of splitting time between keepers.
The Panthers have just under three weeks to sort that positional battle out, while the rest of the team continues to mesh in the build toward the Feb. 12 district opener against Allen.
East is 1-2 after opening the season for tournament action in Allen, with a 3-2 win over Richardson and losses to Rowlett (2-1) and Coppell (6-1). The Panthers will be on hand alongside several other Plano ISD counterparts in the Marcus Tournament from today until Saturday.
"We've got a good group," Woodard said. "With our district, it's going to be difficult for anyone to just run away with it this year, but I think this could be a very promising year for us."
For continued news and coverage on the local sports scene, follow @MWelchSCN on Twitter.
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