Boys soccer ends playoff run in regionals
Carter Bryant
The boy's soccer team played their last game of the year in the regional semifinals versus Midlothian.
Clay Parker and Grant Dennis from LNN
Joe Vastano, Staff Reporter
The boy's soccer season finally came to an end after going three rounds deep in the playoffs, losing to Midlothian 2-1 in the regional semifinals last Friday.
After starting the season on a dull note, the Leopards bounced back and created the best season in the program's history in assistant coach Ian Keeble's opinion.
"We started the season 0-4-2 and finished the season as district champions, bi-district champions, area champions, and region quarterfinal champions with an overall record of 14-6-5," Keeble said. "It took tremendous character to start out how we did and end up where we were. We only lost two games from January 21st to April 7th. I believe this is the best year we have had in my five years at Lovejoy."
Graduating only two starters and six seniors overall, the varsity squad will have many of the same pieces from this successful season for next year, as well as talent from junior varsity, who also won a district championship this year.
"I'm most excited about beginning to train hard again for next season and getting the opportunity to do even better next year than we did this year," junior Bretton Laboret said.
For junior Enrique Vega, the first game against Forney was his favorite moment of the year.
"It was the first time we really realized what we could do, we were down 1-0 at half and came back and won 4-1," Vega said. "On top of that, the bus ride home was the most fun I have ever had after a win. Everyone was loud and rowdy."
As for Keeble, there are too many memorable moments from the season to pick as a favorite.
"I am really not sure what my favorite part of the season was," Keeble said. "How do you pick between winning district after beating Mesquite Poteet in a shootout, beating Prosper in the second round of playoffs in a shootout with the fans rushing the field, or an extra time victory in the third round, after a two-hour lightning delay, where Cal Cranfill scored the best goal I have ever seen live?
"I also like looking back on the season knowing our players, especially the seniors, gave everything they had and also knowing we will be back next year."
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