Klein Oak's Alaina Nugier
ALL GRIT: Klein Oak's Nugier a tough Panther to deal with
They have to embrace contact and sacrifice their body while doing anything and everything to thwart an opponent’s scoring chance. They have to be like Alaina Nugier.
The Klein Oak senior loves the physicality of fútbol. Don’t let her smile and friendly demeanor fool you. Nugier is as tough as they come.
“It took a lot of yelling from coaches, at first, to get me to go for the ball and scrap,” Nugiersaid. “Once I got more comfortable, it just worked. I started soccer when I was six years old and I was trying out various things. When I was 10, I really started getting into it and wanting to be better.”
Nugier appreciates the team aspect of the game.
“If it was a single-person sport, I don't think I’d have as much fun,” she said. “Teammates make things a lot better.”
She also enjoys getting her uniform dirty by constantly throwing herself in the way of the ball. As a child, Nugier looked up to star defender/midfielder Julie Ertz because of the strength and toughness she played with.
“I love making tackles,” Nugier said. “Those moments when you’re running up to the ball and make a good slide tackle …it just feels good. You get to stop the attack and can counterattack. It’s cool to me.”
Nugier is a WesternKentucky University commit, so her soccer career will go on to the collegiate level. But her long-term goal is to go into nursing.
“I like helping people,” Nugier said. “There are always going to be jobs in the medical field, and I think it ’s really cool to learn about the body.”
Before then, however, she plans to enjoy her senior year playing for a school and community she adores.
“It’s my second family,” Nugier said of Klein Oak .“I have so many friends and I’m always having a good time. Especially with soccer, I really love it. It's fun messing with the forwards and getting them agitated and out of their game. On the field, I’m definitely very competitive. I’m always going after it.”
Last season, Nugier was the anchor of the backline for a Panthers’defense that surrendered just 27 goals in 23 games. She was honored as District 15-6A’s Defensive player of the Year and was a Texas Association of Soccer Coaches All-Region 2 first-team selection. A team captain, Nugier also contributed four goals and two assists.
2022-23 Klein Forest Boys Soccer
PITCH PERFECT; Klein Forest Boys have special class, Girls to create chaos
The Eagles’ season came to an end with a 3-2 loss to Cypress Ranch in the first round of the postseason.
“We have a golden generation coming through KF this year,” sixth-year head coach Roger Ramirez said. “This group of seniors has been playing varsity for three years and have great chemistry. They are very coachable.”
Captains Cristian Cañas and Javeth Figueroa set the tone on both sides of the ball.
Klein Forest's Cristian CañasBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“Cristian wants to be the leading scorer in the district and displays intensity and mental toughness,” Ramirez said. “Javeth has great timing with defensive tackles, a good touch, and vision to help build from the back.”
Ramirez also mentioned Fernando Villarreal and Joshua Reyes in the midfield; Diego Martinez and Marvin Juarez on defense and Alex Discua in goal are tremendous players back in the nest.
“Our kids love to put on the KF jersey and represent their community,” he said. “They want to put KF soccer on the map.”
2022-23 Klein Forest Girls SoccerBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The girls struggled through a 0-12 district campaign but continued to battle and compete. Coach Juan Loera is building his culture and girls are buying in.
“It ’s all about chemistry and grit for us,” he said.“We don't want to be the underdog in the district anymore. We are trying to create some chaos, build perseverance, win a few district games and go from there.”
The strength of his team is the defense led by Alexandra Aguilar and Nadine Sanchez, while Alejandra Romo looks to provide a spark on offense.
Javeth Figueroa
