By Chris Parker
Aurora soccer will have to replace a deep senior class coming off a five-win season.
“Building a program after losing eight seniors is tough, but I am thankful for the boys that keep coming back each year regardless of a down year,” Aurora head coach Shawn Pennell said.
Seniors Skyler Ross (forward), Ian Saldana (midfield/defense) and junior Darian Dummitt (defender) will be the leaders of a young Houn’ Dawg team.
“As we have a young team, our senior players are helping with the learning curves, and growing pains that come from lack of experience,” Pennell said.
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Juniors Sam Freitas and Jason Lian will be at forward. The midfield will feature Logan Strong (sophomore) and Jaylon Phillps (sophomore).
Look for Dummitt, Evan Boettler (sophomore), Denny Figureoo (sophomore) and Chirs Regalado (sophomore) on defense.
Eduardo Gonzalez will be the goalkeeper in his sophomore season.
“Having a smaller team in numbers will bring us together and we will have a team to fight for,” Pennell said. “They will work like a team.”
Aurora will open the season Aug. 29-Sept. 2 at the Cassville Tournament.
“As a young team, we want to ensure we have our fundamentals of soccer down, and focus on being competitive,” Pennell said.
