Friendswood soccer team still evolving
By L. Scott Hainline
Chronicle correspondent
The second week of the District 42-4A race is here, and Friendswood coach Stephen Peter continues to watch his Mustangs evolve.
We're still finding an identity," the long-time coach said. We've played well at times, but I don't think we played an entire non-district game the way we're capable of playing.
We'd have a good first half, and a bad second, or the other way around, and even after 15 games, there were some questions to answer."
First was trying to replace the team's top scoring threat, senior forward Chase White, who suffered a season-ending broken leg during the season-opening Friendswood-Pearland Tournament.
It's always unfortunate to lose a season to injury, but it's especially so when it's a senior season," Peter said. We haven't been as good offensively, and that's due in a large part to not having White out there."
Sophomore forward Brian Mulcahey stepped up to score eight of the Mustangs' 21 total goals during 15 non-district games (7-5-3).
Defense has been a bright spot with goalkeeper Curtis Wells, and defenders Brian Bordelon, Chandler Sager, Deke Wilson and Jeremy Hume giving the team a solid senior presence, and junior Chris Johnson making a hefty contribution.
We're playing well defensively even though we've given up some goals on occasion," Peter said. For the most part, they've kept us in a position to win, while allowing less than one goal per game."
As for the rest of 42-4A, Friendswood's ID is that of the district favorite, and in Peter's eyes, is exactly why the Mustangs must continue to step it up.
That's the problem," he said. The kids need to realize they have a target on their back, and we just can't go out and walk away with the district title.
Everyone starts over even in district, and we're hoping to become a better team and carry something positive over into the playoffs."
Peter is counting on senior midfielders Tyler Barras and Matt Craig, and forward Kyle Caton, junior midfielder Corbin Kaspar, and sophomore midfielder Jose Montalvo to help make it happen.
In the Texas Association of Soccer Coaches (TASCO) preseason rankings, Friendswood was No. 5 in Class 4A Region III behind Sharpstown, Waco University, Brenham and Waco Midway.
We're going to concentrate on getting through district and into the playoffs," Peter said. Everything else in the region comes after that, and we just need to be at our best and play complete games."
The Mustangs are in district action at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Dawson, and then host Manvel at 7 p.m. Friday.
