Schuyler boys soccer enters new season aiming for championship

Schuyler boys soccer returns to the field Thursday after its best season in five years.

The Warriors went 14-2 last season and qualified for the state tournament for the first time since 2018.

After reaching the state semifinals, Schuyler enters the new season with a new head coach in Ulises Fuentes, returning key players and another shot at a state title.

Coach Fuentes said, “Preparations are going well. The team is working hard. We have a good team and they have been working hard since the fall.” “They've been on club teams. They just enjoy playing soccer. That's the best thing. They know each other and it works really well.”

Schuyler defeated South Sioux City 2-1 last season for its first state win since 2017. They lost to Bennington 4-1 in the state semifinals.

“I think that gave the team a lot of motivation,” Fuentes said. “They got the experience, especially the kids coming back this year and knowing it feels good. If we can work hard, we can go there again. I think being there really helped.”

The Warriors are led by senior Jose Cruz, the state's top returning goal scorer. Last season, Cruz scored 37 goals and had 15 assists. He scored seven hat tricks and scored four goals in two games.

Also returning to the offensive line are junior Obed Benazo and sophomore David Arciga. Venaso had 13 goals and 11 assists last season. Arciga finished his first season of high school soccer with eight goals and two assists.

In total, Schuyler scored 70 goals and 46 assists.

“They helped us a lot this year,” Fuentes said. “They worked hard this summer. They came back a lot stronger.”

The Warriors will be looking to replace several midfielders Victor Alonso and Diego Maganda. Last season, Alonso scored eight goals and provided 10 assists, while Maganda played as a holding midfielder.

Expected to lead the revamped Schuyler midfield is junior Gaspar Juarez, who had seven goals and eight assists last season.

“This is going to be a competitive year for the midfield,” Fuentes said. “We are working hard to get there and especially the midfielders are working hard to work together as a team.”

Schuyler played on a young back line last season that included sophomores Kevin Mariona and Kevin Martinez, junior Jesus Cuevas and senior Jason Ramon.

Also returning are both goaltenders, senior Luis Carrera and sophomore Marcos Gomez. Carrera made 51 saves last year as a main starting pitcher.

“My expectation for the defense is that if we can push and help the midfielders, the goal is to get them up there as well and be more aggressive this year,” Fuentes said.

The Warriors open the season Thursday in Aurora and have a home tournament Saturday featuring Madison, Omaha Roncalli and Ralston.

“If we work together, communicate and are ready for every game, we can focus on each game and work hard every day,” Fuentes said.