BOYS’ SOCCER SPORT SHORTS, 2012-13–
For a simple overview of scores and upcoming games, check the Winter sport box scores, 2012-13, for dates, opponents and times for all Eagle sports.

Be sure to visit the 2012-13 boys’ soccer schedule, home page, or check out Maxpreps.com. FC is currently 0-2 in the West Sequoia League and 0-0-1 overall as of Nov. 27. The Eagles will next travel to play in the Sierra tournament Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

EAGLES PLAY SIERRA IN FIRST PRE-GAME SCRIMMAGE

For the first pre-season game, the Eagles played home on the north field against the Sierra Chieftains, Nov. 27.

The Chieftains got off to an early lead, scoring twice within the first 5 minutes. The Eagles then bolstered up their defense and did not allow another goal for the rest of the game.

The Eagles had many opportunities to score a goal during the game, but could not capitalize on these chances and were held scoreless.

Despite the effort of both teams to score, neither put up any goals in the remaining minutes.

Junior David Taylor appreciated the teams effort in the second half. Despite the loss, Taylor is excited to see how far the team will go this year.

“I think the game went really good, but we let go during the first twenty minutes of the game and let the other team score twice,” Taylor said. “Even though we lost we played really hard so I think this season is going to be a lot better than last. I think there’s a good chance we’ll finish with more wins.”

Taylor was excited to see the improvement in the teams improvement, but was disappointed that he did not score in the game.

“I am happy that we actually got the ball down the field – our communication has improved a lot since last year” Taylor said. “But I was really disappointed that I did not make any goals with all of the opportunities I had.”

Senior captain Juan Ruelas agrees with Taylor and is impressed by the team’s performance despite their loss.

“I have played on this team for three years, and this year, as the team’s captain, I was very impressed to see how we performed in our first game,” Ruelas said. “Despite the loss on the record, I count yesterday as a win because our team played more as a unit than it has done in my whole high school soccer career.”

Ruelas is confident and foresees many wins throughout this season if the team puts in the proper work.

“I am optimistic about this year’s season and I know we will win some games. We just have to work on our finishes and as the preseason goes by, we will be ready for our league games.”

Varsity boy’s soccer coach Matt Markarian realizes that the team is a lot different from last year.

“This team is completely different from last year. We have adopted a more direct style of play,” Markarian said. “The hope is to highlight our strengths – speed and tenacity – and capitalize on the play making abilities of JP Caprioglio.”

The Eagles will next play against the Yosemite Badgers, on Nov. 30 and the Firebaugh Eagles, on Dec. 1, in the Sierra Tournament.

For more sports, read the Nov. 26 article, Girls’ soccer sport shorts: Sierra.