IN A PROGRAM'S INAUGURAL SEASON, THE EXPECTATIONS CAN VARY.
"I knew we were going to win district as long as we did the right things," coach Ashley Williams said. "If we got the bye in the first round that would automatically put us in the second round. That would already be above expectations and a huge achievement for the soccer program."
For Williams, setting a lofty goal such as winning a state championship, would seem unattainable. But funny enough, The Woodlands Christian Academy men's soccer team was just 80 minutes from playing for that coveted state title this spring.
The Warriors defeated Chinquapin School 2-1 for the program's first-ever playoff victory. Then TWCA beat
San Marcos Academy 1-0 and with that advanced into the TAPPS Division III State Semifinals. That would be where the road ended, suffering a 4-0 loss to eventual state champion St. Thomas Episcopal, but a historic season nonetheless.
Following the year, TWCA raked in some honors.
Stratton Butaud was named second-team, all- state offense, while Forrest Remy earned second-team, all-state defense. Kyle Jasek and Ezekiel Jurado were honorable mentions.
▲
▲
▲
▲
▲
▲
▲
▲
The all-district selections included first-teamer Jacob Melber and second-teamers Josh Mueck, Harrison Catron, Robert Bryngelson, Nicolas Sanmiguel, Antonio Torres and Samuel Huff. Honorable mentions included Tyler Van Horn, Gabriel Marco and Davis Heise.
What is the wildest part of this story is that this team didn't have any seniors.
None.
As the Warriors move up a division next season, Williams said he is excited about the future of the program as they build from within the school. Eight eighth graders move up next year, three of which he believes will make the varsity team.
"We haven't really recruited any players, it's always been talent that has moved up through our school and I'm a firm believer in that," he said. "I believe that the players that you have in your school right now, if you invest in them, they will grow up and want to wear that varsity jersey.
"You want to build that culture. When you do, do it, you're kind of like a small town school where you grow up and you want to put that jersey on."