Coming off a 13-6-2, bi-district championship campaign, head coach Alexis Mosqueda welcomes back the majority of the roster for her third season as the Brownwood Lady Lions kick off their soccer season at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Waco La Vega.
“We’re returning nine of 11 starters from last year, so I feel like we’re in a position to be very successful this year,” Mosqueda said. “That’s what I expect from the girls and continue to tell them that every single day. We scrimmaged what I feel are good teams that made deep runs in the playoffs last year. Our girls did well, had some good takeaways, but there’s always improvements to work on.”
Among the returnees are Alma Bernal, the District 4-4A Defensive Newcomer of the Year a year ago, along with first-team all-district selections Kennedi Johnson, Ibis Alvarado, and Ataleigh Constancio; second-team picks Molly Oliver, Reagan Ratliff, Addison Pesina, and Jasmine Gibbs; and honorable mention recipients Adryanna Huerta and Priscilla Sanchez.
“We have five seniors – Kennedi Johnson, Ataleigh Constancia, Brylee Thompson, Ibis Alvarado and Priscilla Sanchez – and a lot of good returners this year that have all played at the varsity level,” Mosqueda said. “They’ve been playing together since they were 3 or 4 years old. I tell them every game you have the experience of playing together, you know how you play on the field and it should translate in every single game. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do. I expect good things from all of them.”
After years of competing in four-team districts and knowing a playoff spot was guaranteed regardless of their placing, this year the Lady Lions will have to earn their spot – a challenge Mosqueda eagerly welcomes.
The new District 5-4A will be comprised of Brownwood, China Spring, Gatesville, Lampasas, Little River Academy, Salado, and Stephenville, with the top four squads advancing to the postseason. The Lady Lions are ranked No. 9 in Region I by TASCO, while Stephenville is No. 1 and Salado is No. 10.
“This year it’s not given to us, we have to go out there and perform the way we know we can play every Tuesday and Friday night,” Mosqueda said. “It is a lot larger (district), but it gives us more competition. Last year, Stephenville was our toughest competition, and this year we’ll have more competition to prepare for them and that should give us a better look at what’s to come.”
The Lady Lions open district play Jan. 27 at Lampasas, but prior to the start 5-4A action goal differential will be a key focus in pre-district action.
“Goals for us and goals against us is what we’re focusing on,” Mosqueda said. “We want shutouts and to score as many goals as possible because that will count even more when we get to district when it comes to seeding for the playoffs.”
As for the potential of this year’s squad, Mosqueda said, “They have to play for each other on the field. The senior group has been here since I’ve been here and to see them grow and continue to work together has been special. With God anything is possible and the main focus is glorifying Him on the field, and as long as we do that and continue to work hard and for each other on the field, good things will happen.”
2023 Brownwood Lady Lions Varsity Soccer Schedule
| Jan 4. | at Waco La Vega | 6 p.m. |
| Jan. 5-7 | at Alvarado tournament | TBA |
| Jan. 10 | Marble Falls | 6 p.m. |
| Jan. 13 | Graham | 7 p.m. |
| Jan. 17 | San Angelo Lake View | 5 p.m. |
| Jan. 20 | at Burnet | 6 p.m. |
| Jan. 24 | at Sweetwater | 5 p.m. |
| Jan. 27 | at Lampasas* | 6 p.m. |
| Jan. 31 | at China Spring* | 5:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 3 | BYE | |
| Feb. 7 | at Salado* | 7 p.m. |
| Feb. 10 | at Stephenville* | 5 p.m. |
| Feb. 14 | Gatesville* | 5 p.m. |
| Feb. 17 | at Little River Academy* | 5 p.m. |
| Feb. 21 | Lampasas* | 6 p.m. |
| Feb. 24 | China Spring* | 6 p.m. |
| Feb. 28 | BYE | |
| March 3 | Salado* | 7 p.m. |
| March 7 | Stephenville* | 5:30 p.m. |
| March 10 | at Gatesville* | 5 p.m. |
* District 5-4A Game