Crawfordsville boys soccer was finally able to break through last year to win the school’s first sectional title since 2016 in a thriller over Cascade.
The defending county and sectional champions are looking for similar success in 2023. The team opened the season Tuesday against Western Boone.
This year’s Athenian team returns the likes of senior forward Patrick Corado who’s 39 goals last season were good enough for fourth in the state. Jazier Gil-Herrera, Manuel Olvera, Kevin Puerto, Max Brumett and others also will be back for the Athenians. Offensively the Athenians should have the same firepower as they did a year ago. Defensively they’ll have to replace Andrew Jones and Yeison Cifuentes who both anchored the Crawfordsville back line a year ago.
While there’s some new players in new positions coach Marcus Hale still sees this group as one that can accomplish great things.
“We want to continue to focus on being competitive in every match we play,” Hale said. “We do have a new group and will have to replace some great seniors, and the guys who are back having to learn how to play together again. Each team will always be new so that’ll be the challenge is how they come together as a team.”
Crawfordsville hosted its annual Jamboree Aug. 12 with Faith Christian and fellow county rivals North Montgomery and Southmont. Crawfordsville went 2-0, defeating Faith Christian 5-0 and Southmont 2-1.
Starting the year off with a conference game on the road against the Stars is something Hale knows his team can’t take lightly. From game one his team will have a target on its back.
“It makes it a little challenging knowing your first game is a conference game,” Hale said. “WeBo, just like all other teams, are working hard over the summer and we’re going to have to be ready to come and play a full 80 minutes from the opening whistle. We have an outside shot I believe to potentially win the conference again but we’re going to have to play well in every single one of those games. This group I think should finish in the top three, I hope.
“We have our goals like both North and South that we want to defend our county title too. The kids want to defend that sectional title as well. I’m looking forward to most though watching this team go out and compete and progress as the year goes along.”
