By Chris Parker
The Hillcrest boys soccer program has been on the rise in recent years going from no wins in 2021 to five wins in 2022 and six wins last season. The six wins is the most since at least 2007.
That win total could increase even more this year with 10 starters and 16 lettermen returning.
“The strengths of our team will be all the experiences that we have had over the last three years,” Hillcrest head coach Roy Hardy said. “The 10 seniors have been through the zero wins season as freshmen, five wins as sophomores, to having six wins as juniors. Last year, we let about four or five games slip through our fingertips. Also, players being able to play and know multiple spots will be a key for us to close out games down the stretch.”
Seniors Austin Miller (midfield) and Levi Romero (defender) will be team leaders this season.
Miller was a first-team all-conference and all-district selection last season scoring eight goals and assisting on another six.
“His freshmen year he played on the defense line because the program needed his presence back there,” Hardy said of Miller. “Since moving to center mid, the program has taken a turn in the right direction. Austin does a great job of controlling the midfield for us. His field vision, ball handling skills, and scoring abilities make him a threat anywhere on the field. His drive for success has changed the landscape of Hillcrest soccer. He is very eager to have a 2024 winning record and make a deep run in the postseason this fall.”
Romero is a three-year starter who was first-team all-conference and all-district as a junior.
“He (Romero) is very vocal and gives direction to his teammates on the fly, even under pressure,” Hardy said. “Romero’s ability to lock down the offensive opponent 1v1 tactically without causing a foul is tremendous in the defensive third. He is like having a 12th person on the field.”
Austin Miller’s brother Jackson will join him in the midfield. He is a two-year starter who had five goals and three assists last season.
“He (Jackson Miller) came to Hillcrest two years ago in the shadows of his brother but has come into his own in the last year,” Hardy said. “Jackson is super balanced at center mid. He supports the defense by helping to get the ball out of the defensive third and helps the offense by building up to the offensive third. Jackson has a great soccer IQ. He knows where to defend and knows where the ball should be played. He can strike from long distances on frame with accuracy.”
Kieran Reaves (sophomore), Leonidas Guavis (senior) and Levi Smith (senior) will join Romero on defense.
Hardy on Reaves: “Kieran Reaves started at the other central defender spot as a freshman. He brings a strong physical presence to the center back position. Kieran is very versatile in that he can play as an outside back, an outside winger, or even man mark a dangerous player. He is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done and to bring the team success.”
Hardy on Guavis: “Leonidas Guavis is a three-year starter who will play as an outside back on either side. His strong defensive tactical skills and speed helps negate attacks down his side of the field. Because of Leo’s defensive tactical skills and speed, he could also be inserted into the central defender or even the defensive midfielder position. His soccer skills have improved immensely over the last three years.”
Hardy on Smith: “Levi Smith has played the last three seasons as an outside back. Last year, he scored two goals from his position. He is very coachable and works super hard at his position. While Smith might not be the fastest player among the other three backs, his work ethic makes up for it. Smith is also on the swim team, which helps with his endurance.”
The attack at forward will be led by senior Taner Hicks and sophomore Soner Sen.
Hicks has earned all-conference honors on the soccer pitch and basketball court in his career.
“His (Hicks’) ability to get around defenders makes him a great weapon to have as a target player,” Hardy said. “He had five goals and two assists last season. Taner has an intangible characteristic about him and that is he has a motor that many can’t keep up with. For the amount of time that Taner invests in soccer (only during the season), he still finds himself in position to score goals during the year.”
Sen started in the midfield as a freshman where he had six goals and four assists last season.
“This season, Soner will play up top as a target player to add extra pressure on the opposition defense back line and to create more scoring opportunities for our program,” Hardy said. “He can attack a defender 1v1 requiring extra defensive help which will hopefully give us an advantage in the offensive third.”
Jesse Askin returns as goalkeeper in his senior season. He was honorable mention all-conference last season. He recorded two shutouts and had 135 saves last season.
“Jesse Askin has made the most improvements from this time last year,” Hardy said. “The only thing Jesse knew was baseball. He did not know much about soccer yet alone being a keeper. Jesse is reading angles better, where to be at in his box, communicating to players, being part of the play in the back, and doing better of coming out when a through ball or a 1v1 occurs. As we all know, goal keeping is one of the most daunting jobs on the pitch. All keepers, when faced with a breakaway become slightly frightened or worried about their ability to make the timely save.”
Junior Leonardo Perez will be the backup keeper.
Elijah Allen, Claude Chalumba, Luis Cruz, Jack Holcomb, Miles Holcomb, Elizaul Lucena, Asher Marmon and Taylon Story will all be looked upon for contributions as well.
Hillcrest will travel to Willard for a jamboree on Aug. 26 before opening the season at the Webb City shootout Aug. 30-31.
“This year, I want the identity for our team to be united,” Hardy said. “I want people to see we are united on and off the soccer pitch and not divided. If we are of one heart, one mind, and one soul then there is nothing we set out to do that will be impossible.”
