The Woodlands' soccer is back and dead-set on returning to the postseason. Only, this time around, the Highlanders have no intention of going home without a trophy.
The Woodlands boys’ soccer program enjoyed a tremendous season going 16-1-2, earning them the title of District Champions (10-0 in District). This was followed by a postseason campaign that saw the Highlanders become Regional Champions, before being defeated in the State Semis by the soon-to-be State Champs -- Lake Travis.
After coming so close to earning their first 6A State Title, the Highlanders are prepared to resurge as the new season begins. Leading the Highlanders is coach Jason Fanning.
“With last year’s team's success, it kind of demonstrates what happens when you buy into a program and its beliefs,” said Fanning. “Whatever goals these players set for themselves, can be achieved. The great thing about our community is that we have really high expectations. I feel, from a coaching standpoint, that we can never set the expectation too high. Our kids relish that opportunity to push themselves to achieve things they didn’t realize they could.”
Despite several of last year’s players graduating during the offseason, several key returning players. Team captain Reinaldo Perera, will be expected to direct the younger talent on the pitch.
“He [Perera] is going to be a really big player for us,” Fanning said. “He’s a senior forward who’s entering his third year on varsity. I think he’s got a lot of potential to contribute in a bunch of different ways. He’s a top-level competitor and I think the team will feed off of that.”
Another player to look out for is junior center back Rodrigo Checa, who has quietly become a standout among the skilled Highlanders roster. He was a part of last year’s team but did not play. Despite that, Checa’s ability has shown through the preseason prompting the players to elect him as one of the team’s captains.
“It’s been about seven years since we’ve had a captain who wasn’t a senior,” said Fanning. “Because of the unlikeliness of it, that gives you an indication of what kind of person and player he is. He’s a fantastic player.”
Talent makes the team. But, according to coach Fanning, the community aspect of TWHS Soccer is what will drive the young men to success.
“We’re trying to create a high school experience for the guys,” Fanning said. “But that doesn’t always have to do with what goes on the field or in practice. We do a lot of community outreach where we volunteer our time with a couple of projects in the fall and spring (including working for the Montgomery County Food Bank every MLK Day). We like to think that our program isn’t just about soccer, but about shaping young men to understand their role in the community and how they can impact other people’s lives.”
Coach Fanning and TWHS will anticipate another stellar season. Highlander soccer begins their campaign for another trip to the postseason when they face Seven Lakes on December 30th at 7:30 pm in their first game of the regular season.