Published: January 08, 2009 08:37 am      

Making a change

Sanchez expecting big things from new-look Tigers

The 2008 Tigers’ soccer team looked like one of the best in the state as they rolled through their competition and easily won the District 11-4A title.

But it all came to an abrupt end with a 3-1 loss to Crowley in the Class 4A, Region II area playoffs.

The 2009 Tigers may have lost nine players to graduation from last year’s squad, but with plenty of talent and a new coach leading the way, expectations are higher than ever for another district championship and an extended playoff run.

Despite losing some veteran leadership, the Tigers do return several integral parts of last year’s squad with a strong junior core, including last season’s District 11-4A Co-Offensive Player of the Year Mario Castaneda.

Castaneda led the Tigers with 21 goals and 51 points last year.

Just as potent on offense in 2008 was the play of forward Tomas Luevanos.

A first-team all-district selection, Luevanos recorded nine goals and a team-high 12 assists in his sophomore season.

Gone from the Tigers is coach John Lawhon, recipient of the district’s Coach of the Year award, who led the Tigers to a 15-5-2 record in his single-season stay.

Taking over the helm for the Tigers this season is Tom Sanchez.

Sanchez comes to the Tigers from Hillsboro where he was the 2008 Super CenTex Boys Coach of the Year.

He has played and coached soccer for more than 30 years and played semi-professional soccer in Germany for 10 years.

As a coach, Sanchez has worked for the United States Olympic Development Program where he served as head coach for the United States Region I, Europe U-18 Girls team.

Now his task will be getting a highly talented Tigers team over the hump and in contention for a state title.

“My number one priority is for this team to win the district again,” Sanchez said. “But my goal is also to go deep in the playoffs.

“We are a young team, but we have a good group of juniors that will be our backbone. I feel good about this team ... that’s why my expectations are so high.”

The initial hurdle for the Tigers’ first-year coach was finding a goalkeeper. Without Fernando Valdivia, who recorded 12 shutouts at goalie last season, Sanchez turned to junior midfielder Jon Garcia to man the net.

“I hate to take Jon away from the midfield,” Sanchez said. “It is still between him and Irvin (Sanchez), but in the end I want the best keeper in the goal pipes.

“The good thing about Jon is that he was a goalie as a younger player, so it is in his genes.”

The Tigers defense, which was predominantly seniors last year, will be taken over by junior defenders Coby Duren, Angel Guido, Tyler Hines, Arturo Flores and senior Jose Santos.

To up the Tigers aggressiveness, Sanchez has switched from a sweeper style to a platform, flat-4 defense.

This experienced, but evolving Tigers team will have their work cut out for them in the early going as they begin the Coppell Tournament today against El Paso Socorro at 8 p.m.

The grueling schedule continues to the 13-team Corsicana Tournament on Jan. 15-17, but the tough competition is exactly what Sanchez wants right now.

“We want to see teams now that we might eventually see in the playoffs,” he said. “If we win, great, if we don’t then lets learn what are deficiencies are now and fix them.

“I would love to go undefeated, but really I just want to get into the playoffs with a good team, that is healthy and solid in what we need to do to win games.”

—————

Shawn Edwards may be contacted via e-mail at edwards@corsicanadailysun.com



Corsicana Tigers Varsity Soccer 2009 Game Schedule

Date Opponent Time Location

Jan. 8-10 Coppell Tourn. TBA Coppell

Jan. 13 Mabank 7 p.m. Mabank

Jan. 15-17 Corsicana Tourn. TBA Corsicana

Jan. 20 Midlothian 7 p.m. Corsicana

Jan. 23-24 Lufkin Tourn. TBA Lufkin

Jan. 27 Forney 7 p.m. Corsicana

Feb. 3 Terrell 7:30 p.m. Corsicana

Feb. 10 Lancaster 5:30 p.m. Corsicana

Feb. 13 Ennis 5:30 p.m. Ennis

Feb. 17 Ferris 5:30 p.m. Corsicana

Feb. 20 Red Oak 5:30 p.m. Red Oak

Feb. 24 Waxahachie 5:30 p.m. Corsicana

Feb. 27 Lancaster 7:30 p.m. Lancaster

March 3 Ennis 7:30 p.m. Corsicana

March 6 Ferris 7:30 p.m. Ferris

March 10 Red Oak 7:30 p.m. Corsicana

March 14 Waxahachie 2 p.m. Waxahachie