By Tyler F. Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
For the second consecutive season Desmond Williams will lead th Joplin Eagles boys soccer team.
The Eagles authored a 10-10 record last year, but returning viable talent in upperclassmen is a nice start to the 2024 campaign.
The Eagles welcome back eight seniors and 10 returning starters.Adam Badr returns to the pitch after leading the Eagles with 17 assists last year, and offensive catalyst Ely Montanez returns for his senior campaign after finding the net 13 times last fall.
Returning starters
Ian Trejo (senior defender)
Miles Hogan (senior defender)
Leo Valdez (sophomore defender)
Adam Badr (senior midfielder) — 1st Team All-COC
Duncan Fogarty (senior midfielder)
Andy Cordovva (sophomore midfielder)
Ever Blanco (junior defender)
Ely Montanez (senior forward) — 1st Team All-COC
Zekir Arjuloski (junior defender)
Alex De La Torre (senior forward)
Returning seniors
Blanton Garrigan (senior forward)
Coby Sampson (senior defender)
The season outlook is simple, Williams said.
“The mission is the same. The guys are starting to come together a little bit by playing under a new system,” said Williams. “The main thing, we know what the end goal is.”
Having the experienced returning players back in the fold for another year is a luxury in which the Eagles look to capitalize, especially given the talent that resides throughout the Central Ozark Conference.
Added Williams: “The luxury is they know what to expect. They have played in the heart — the tougher games — they have gone and played three games in a week. They know what I expect out of them, so I think having a big, returning class is a good thing. We have a really strong group of seniors this year.
The preseason jamboree is scheduled for Aug. 27 against Neosho and Monett.
The Eagles open the 2024 season at home on Aug. 30 as they host Camdenton, before heading to Pittsburg Sept. 3.
On Sept. 12-14, Joplin will head to Springfield for the 2024 Parkview Varsity Tournament.
As for conference play, Williams said the terrain is tougher than ever.
“The addition of Glendale and Kickapoo, it is going to be tough. But that is a good thing; it makes the conference harder,” he said. “It makes teams like us more aware of the better teams like that who are coming in, who have always been pretty good. Just in one week, we have Glendale, Kickapoo and Ozark. There are going to be a lot of competitive games this season in the COC.”
The Eagles host Glendale Sept. 24; are at Kickapoo Sept. 27; and host Ozark Oct. 1.
Who will set up shop in the box remains a lingering question for Williams and his Eagles after losing 2023 1st Team All-COC selection Brayden Anderson.
“The keeper position for us is wide open,” he said. “It is going to be tough. We lost our keeper. We don’t have anybody who is just a purebred keeper. Keepers in this area are kind of hard to come by.”
