Eagles’ women, men have high hopes for season
Texas A&M University-Texarkana men's and women's soccer teams share a common goals—earn a spot in the conference finals and have an above .500 season.
Both teams are coached by Don Koontz, who is in his third year as women's coach and second year with the men.
Desiree Valdez, a junior from Lubbock, Texas, and Ashley Bainton, a senior from Torrance, Calif., are captains for the Lady Eagles.
“Playing at 100 percent, showing up every day, and being a role model for freshmen and sophomores is part of being a captain,” Bainton said. “And part of being a role model is to show the underclassmen how to be a collegiate student-athlete, on and off the field.”
Bainton has set some personal goals that include staying healthy, being a good team player and being more productive in scoring goals and assists.
“Some of the team goals for the season are getting through it without any injuries, making it to nationals and having a winning record,” Valdez said. “As a captain, I want to help the other women reach goals and improve themselves on and off the field; just push them in the right direction.”
Valdez's personal goal is to be more attack minded. She scored two goals last season and wants to increase that number this year.
Last season, the Lady Eagles won their first conference tournament game in a 1-0 win
over Wiley College. TAMU-T women went 13-7 last year with a conference record of 6-5.
“I didn't like the way we finished last season, but I was pleased with the season,” Koontz said. “This year, I think we have a chance to make it to the national championships.
“We have a really good team with a good upper classmen group. The main thing for us is we can't beat ourselves. So far, the looses that we have came from mistakes that we made. We have a strong contingency of young players as well. We have several dynamic freshmen, and I want to grow and win.”
Koontz's record is 23-13-1 as head coach of the women's team, and in the men's inaugural season went 3-13 overall and was 2-7 in conference.
Oscar Herrera, a junior from Nashville, Ark., is one of the Eagles' captains.
“Our goal is to make it into the conference championship and step up our game from last year,” Hererra said. “We are more composed on the ball, and we connect passes. I was second team all conference last year, and my personal goal is to make the first team.”
Dylan Murray, a senior from Melbourne, Australia, is the other captain of the men's team.
“Our goal is to have a winning record and make the playoffs,” Murray said. “My goal was to develop the incoming freshmen and setting them up for the future. I would love to make the all-conference team. Other than that, it is all about the team.”
Koontz says this year's team will differ from last season's squad. TAMU-T men have more depth and have added more players who are goal scorers.
“Last season, we had a sneaky record,” Koontz said. “We had some really good players, but we just didn't have any depth. Murray got a concussion, and he was impossible to replace. Our whole defense were out at some point during the season last year. Herrera did everything he could to carry us, but he didn't have much help.
“This year we have about five guys who will carry goals for us. We have a strong players in Vinsent Nestorov, Kyle Wisnewski, David Valazquez, Herman Whitney, and Austin Beck. So it is not just Hererra carrying the load, it is more spread out. Every match the men play will be a battle.
“I tend to see more silly fouls on the men's side. We can't beat ourselves and we can't give away goals. We can't get shaken or rattled. Our goals are to stay healthy and earn a spot in the conference tournament.”