The month of January’s cold and sometimes icy weather can mean only one thing: high school soccer season is upon us. And at Abilene High, that means two teams trying to do even better in 2024 than they did in 2023.
The Abilene High girls, defending District 4-5A champions, open their season on Tuesday, Jan. 2, when they host Wichita Falls Rider at Shotwell Stadium. Two days later, they will participate in the AISD Tournament, playing Frenship and Royce City in pool play matches on Jan. 4. District play will begin on Jan. 30 against Wylie at Hugh Sandifer Stadium.
The AHS boys, meanwhile, will try to make it back-to-back playoff appearances in 2024 after a runner-up finish in District 4-5A in 2023. The Eagles open their season on Dec. 29 when they take on Wichita Falls Rider in Wichita Falls before participating in the AISD Tournament, Jan. 4-6. The Eagles will open district play on Jan. 30, when they host Wylie at 7 p.m. at Shotwell Stadium.
Here’s a brief look at each team going into the 2023-24 season:
ABILENE HIGH GIRLS
Second-year head coach Tiffany van Hoose welcomes nine returning starters from a district championship team that finished 18-4-2 and reached the Class 5A Region I tournament, losing to eventual state champion Grapevine in the semifinals. But optimism abounds that the Eagles, who return the district’s Offensive MVP in senior forward Laila Brown and the district’s Newcomer of the Year in Rheauna De La Garza, can go even farther in 2024.
“The girls are very excited for this season,” van Hoose said. “They want to be better and achieve more than last year, which will be difficult. But the girls are even more determined than last year and have gotten a little taste of what winning feels like. They’re hungry for more.”
The Lady Eagles also return first team all-district performers Marin Murray and Keeley Aston, second team all-district players Symone Can, Zoe Vann, and Mason Murray, and honorable mention selections Alexa Lubanga and Hailie Chavez. All of those returning players should make starting a new season a little easier than in 2023 when the Lady Eagles were learning their new head coach’s tendencies.
“Returning a lot of players helps tremendously,” van Hoose said. “We don’t have to start from square one. We are already a few steps ahead than this time last year. My expectations are very high for the girls. I know what their ‘best’ is, and I know when they’re not performing at that level. That also means they can’t slack off or take it easy. I will push them harder this year, knowing they can be even better than last year if they have the right mindset and work ethic.”
ABILENE HIGH BOYS
The Abilene Eagles in 2023 did something no Abilene High team since 2005 had done: win a playoff match. Not only did the Eagles win one, they won two, reaching the third round of the state playoffs before bowing out to El Paso Bel Air, who lost to Frisco Lone Star in the Class 5A state championship match.
The Eagles of third-year head coach Roy Castillo return eight starters from last year’s team, which finished 12-8-5 overall. The Eagles will be led by returning first team all-district performers Juan Luna (senior outside back) and Karter Batten (senior center-mid). Returning second-team players are David Masha (senior outside back), Garrison Scoggin (junior center attacking midfielder), and Roberto Hernandez, as well as returning honorable mention selections Caden Camp and Brayden Henry.
The Eagles were 9-2-1 in district play, finishing just behind district champion Lubbock Monterey, which was 21-1-4 overall and 10-0-2 in district play. Abilene High lost to Monterey, 1-0, and tied the Plainsmen, 0-0, giving the Eagles hope they are knocking on the door of a district championship, which would be the program’s first since 2017.
“Last year’s team did a great job of laying the foundation of our success and showed the younger guys what needs to be done to be successful,” Castillo said. “We had a good offseason and talked a lot about taking care of the little things, being tough mentally, and finishing. The biggest factor for our team to maintain the success we had last year is the mindset of taking care of the little things, just believe.”
BOYS
Abilene High Eagles
Head coach: Roy Castillo (3rd season, 3rd season at Abilene High)
Career record: 17-19-9 at Abilene High
Last year’s record: 12-8-5 (2nd in District 4-5A)
Last district title: 2017
Last playoff appearance: 2023 (def. Amarillo High, 7-2, in bi-district; def. El Paso Andress, 1-0, in area; lost to El Paso Bel Air, 5-0, in regional quarterfinals)
Last playoff win: 2023 (def. El Paso Andress, 1-0, in area)
Returning lettermen/starters: 10 / 8
Players to watch (name, position, classification): Karter Batten, Center-Mid, sr; Garrison Scoggin, Center Attacking Mid, jr; Juan Luna, Outside Back, sr; David Masha, Outside Back, sr; Joel Mcpherson, Goalkeeper, jr.
Newcomers to watch (name, position, classification): Oscar Amaya, Outside Mid, soph; Josh Castillo, Outside Back/Outside Mid, soph; Trevor Meeks, Center Back, soph.
Returning all-district players: Juan Luna (1st team all-district in 2022); Karter Batten (1st team all-district in 2022; David Masha (2nd team all-district in 2022); Garrison Scoggin (2nd team all-district in 2022); Roberto Hernandez (2nd team all-district in 2022); Caden Camp (honorable mention all-district in 2022); and Brayden Henry (honorable mention all-district in 2022).
General comments about your team: “We have a majority of our team returning from last year and will try to build off last year’s success. We have a well-rounded team of older and younger players, which is a big plus. The younger guys got extra practice last year with our deep run in the playoffs, and that helped them see the level of play we need to reach, and gave them a chance to gel with the older guys. Our younger guys will fill key roles in the midfield and the defense this year. The success from last year as well as how our season ended last year has brought both excitement and hunger into this year. I am looking forward to seeing these kids compete this year.”
GIRLS
Abilene High Eagles
Head coach: Tiffany van Hoose (2nd season overall, 2nd season at AHS)
Career record: 18-4-2 (1 season)
Last year’s record: 18-4-2 (1st in District 4-5A)
Last district title: 2023
Last playoff appearance: 2023 (def. Amarillo Palo Duro, 5-0, in bi-district; def. El Paso High, 4-2, in area; def. Amarillo High, 3-2, in regional quarterfinals; lost to Grapevine, 3-1, in regional semifinals)
Last playoff win: 2023 (def. Amarillo High, 3-2, in regional quarterfinals)
Returning lettermen/starters: 17 / 9
Players to watch (name, position, classification): Laila Brown, Forward, sr; Marin Murray, Midfielder / Defender, sr; Zoe Vann, Forward, jr.
Returning all-district players: Laila Brown (Offensive MVP in 2022); Marin Murray (1st team all-district in 2022); Rheauna De La Garza (Newcomer of the Year in 2022); Keeley Aston (1st team all-district in 2022); Symone Can (2nd team all-district in 2022); Zoe Vann (2nd team all-district in 2022); Mason Murray (2nd team all-district in 2022); Alexa Lubanga (honorable mention all-district in 2022); Hailie Chavez (honorable mention all-district in 2022).
Newcomers to watch (name, position, classification): Mallon Murray, Midfield, fr.
General comments about your team: “I am very excited about this upcoming season. We are returning a lot of quality players. The girls are a tight-knit group who work hard for one another and want to see everyone succeed. I know that they will be ready to battle every single game this year, knowing nothing is guaranteed and we are going to have to work twice as hard as last year. I love every one of these girls and am so glad to be back this year, ready to hopefully achieve more than we can imagine!”
On the District 4-5A race: “It is not going to be an easy year. Every single one of our opponents has been putting in similar work outside of high school season to be even better than before. Every single game is going to take maximum focus, effort, and skill from the girls to achieve their goals this season. This will easily be one of the most competitive Class 5A districts in the state.”
What’s the key for this team to repeat last year’s success, and maybe take it further? “The key is going to be a collective effort in every single game to know that they have a target on their backs. Last year, we were the new kids on the block. This year, everyone knows us and what we are capable of doing. The girls are going to have to fight, grind, and find a way in every single game. Nothing is guaranteed. Ensuring the girls do not get complacent and comfortable is going to be the most difficult part that the coaching staff and TEAM captains are going to have to navigate. The mental side of the game is so important, especially for girls, so making sure we have the appropriate, winning, mindset to never settle for mediocrity every single day is going to be huge!”