The Central Catholic soccer team is back this year ready to fight for the state title after being knocked out in the state quarterfinals last season. Over 10 players graduated, and the team has only 5 seniors on the squad this year with 3 of them as captains: Diego Gonzalez, Kyle Murray, and Drew Henry. Coach Edward Cartee selected 18 players for the varsity team this year compared to last year’s 23 man roster. On Saturday, November 18, the squad met for their first training session together, and the team brought a sense of competitiveness to an attacking oriented practice. 

During Thanksgiving break, they went on a retreat to Tecaboca to build chemistry and to start mentally preparing for the difficult season ahead. The team will be facing strong opponents ranging from St. Stephen’s, a soccer academy in Austin, to public school powerhouses such as Clemens, Johnson, Lee, New Braunfels, Brandeis, and Reagan. The first home game will be a district match against St. Anthony’s January 3rd (Not including the alumni game December 17). The Soccer team wants support from the student body and Section R as they start their uphill climb that ends with a banner, a state ring, and a sixth star above the crest. Good luck to the soccer players this season as they try to become this year’s state champions.

Here’s what the squad looks like for this year:

Nick Legarreta: Junior- Goalkeeper

Alejandro Chavarria: Freshman- Goalkeeper

Kyle Murray: Senior (C)- Defender

Zach Rodriguez: Senior- Defender

Josh Castro: Senior- Defender

Frankie Armijo: Junior- Defender

Chris Rios: Freshman- Defender

Angel Bacho: Sophomore- Defender/Midfielder

Diego Gonzalez:  Senior (C)- Midfielder

Drew Henry: Senior (C)- Midfielder

Rob Anderson: Junior- Midfielder

Jose Gallegos: Freshman- Midfielder

Greg Petri: Junior- Midfielder

Efrain Leuck: Junior- Midfielder

Jacob Banuelos: Junior- Midfielder

Sean McLoughlin: Junior- Midfielder

Franco Querido: Sophomore- Forward/Midfielder

Rob Smith: Junior- Forward/Midfielder