Seniors drive Seven Lakes
It all began with a gentleman’s handshake.
During the 2020-21 high school boys soccer season, two Seven Lakes freshmen — defender Aidan Morrison and forward Noa Stasic — played on varsity.
That was uncommon for the program.
Five freshmen — forward Daniel Ejerenwa, goalkeeper Benjamin Aviles Vera, and defenders Diego Flamenco, Noah Bosso and Fernando Lazo —played on the junior varsity “1” team.
That had never been done.
Spartans coach Jimmy Krueger met with the freshman class prior to its sophomore season the following August and offered his hand.
“If you don’t go anywhere, I won’t go anywhere,” Krueger said. They shook on it. Over the next three years, many of those Spartans had opportunities to play elsewhere, whether overseas or in the U.S.
But they all bypassed, choosing not to renege on their deal.
“It was a special moment,” Morrison said. “It was obviously a special class with a bunch of talented players. With all these guys here, anything could happen. Opportunities (to leave) came up for all of us. But that handshake meant a lot to me, personally. I never forgot about that handshake.”
Each party held up its end of the bargain.
Krueger never put as much pressure on himself as a coach as he did the last two years to ensure he would get the absolute most out of the potential of the 2024 class.
Those players, in turn, assumed ownership of the program, on and off the field. They worked tirelessly to meet expectations.
The result is a third straight trip to the UIL Class 6A state tournament as the Spartans attempt to become the first 6A boys soccer program to repeat as state champs.
Seven Lakes (23-1-2), a semifinalist in 2022 and champion last year, plays Duncanville (20-2-3) in the semifinals Friday at 5 p.m. at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown.
“It’s fun to be a part of,” Krueger said of his senior class. “The legacy is already there. If we happen to repeat? Bonus.”
As four-year varsity lettermen, Morrison and Stasic have been part of 90 career wins, including 14 playoff victories, four consecutive district titles, one state championship and now three state tournament appearances.
The five seniors who made their varsity debut as sophomores know nothing but finishing their seasons in Georgetown.
“It’s the expectation,” Aviles Vera said.
Krueger saw the right mix of kids in the Class of 2024 when he got them four years ago. Talent plus character plus initiative.
“For them, this is beyond them and their own individual success,” Krueger said.
Because of the maturity of the group, Krueger has rewarded it.
He gives players more freedom in things like handling warmups. He asks the captains — Morrison, Flamenco and Lazo — for input on most matters.
Krueger has mostly done away with fitness tests the past two seasons.
“Because they’re putting the work rate in on the field, we don’t have to get on the line or run on the track,” he said.
Chemistry holds the Spartans together. Ask any player or coach the reason behind Seven Lakes’ 90-6-7 overall record the last four seasons, and they will tell you they are a family.
It’s cliché, yes. Still, there have been many talented, gifted clubs that have not had the success and spirit the Spartans boast.
“It’s the togetherness we have,” Morrison said. “The trust we have in each other. The trust we have in our coach. Ultimately, that’s what takes us far.”