Sports > Schools
Seasoned Eagles once again carry high hopes into 2013 season
By DEVIN HASSON, dhasson@starlocalnews.com
The Rowlett boys soccer team expects big things this season and why wouldn't they?
The Eagles have been a playoff fixture under head coach Clark McMurtray, having qualified for the postseason in each of the last 10 years.
Rowlett knows what it takes to make it 11 in a row, as it returns a veteran group that posted a 14-7-2 record a year ago.
The Eagles will have seniors in key positions all over the field. Forward Leo Gallegos will help lead the offensive attack, with midfielders Victor Beltran and Josue Reyes behind him.
The defense will be led by Zach Braswell and Brandon Green as they will try to provide a solid wall in front of goalkeeper Jonathan Williams.
Rowlett got off to a 2-1 start at the Richland Winter Blast Tournament last week, but its early-season record is not a big concern, win or lose.
McMurtray generally plays all 25 players in tournament games, usually splitting the halves and using different formations and combinations to find out what will work best when the run to the playoffs begins in district play.
It is a strategy that has paid off in recent years, both during district play and beyond.
The Eagles had a streak of five consecutive seasons (2007-2011) in which they advanced at least two rounds deep and made a pair of trips to the regional tournament.
Last season, that run came to an end with a 1-0 loss to Richardson in the opening round, but that setback does not have any impact on this year, as the team resumes its quest for one of the few things missing from the program's resume.
"State," McMurtray said.
The Eagles have been a playoff fixture under head coach Clark McMurtray, having qualified for the postseason in each of the last 10 years.
Rowlett knows what it takes to make it 11 in a row, as it returns a veteran group that posted a 14-7-2 record a year ago.
The Eagles will have seniors in key positions all over the field. Forward Leo Gallegos will help lead the offensive attack, with midfielders Victor Beltran and Josue Reyes behind him.
The defense will be led by Zach Braswell and Brandon Green as they will try to provide a solid wall in front of goalkeeper Jonathan Williams.
Rowlett got off to a 2-1 start at the Richland Winter Blast Tournament last week, but its early-season record is not a big concern, win or lose.
McMurtray generally plays all 25 players in tournament games, usually splitting the halves and using different formations and combinations to find out what will work best when the run to the playoffs begins in district play.
It is a strategy that has paid off in recent years, both during district play and beyond.
The Eagles had a streak of five consecutive seasons (2007-2011) in which they advanced at least two rounds deep and made a pair of trips to the regional tournament.
Last season, that run came to an end with a 1-0 loss to Richardson in the opening round, but that setback does not have any impact on this year, as the team resumes its quest for one of the few things missing from the program's resume.
"State," McMurtray said.
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