Building Soccer Champions

On the women's side, Olvera and his squad built off a successful 2022 season, where the Lady Knights captured their first regional championship and berthed their first National Tournament appearance. Last season, the women's team advanced to the national championship game, where they, too, fell short of the ultimate title.

With success like that in the previous season, there are expectations that both teams use their success and their failures as motivation for this upcoming season. I got a chance to catch up with Coach Olvera, as well as some of the players on both squads and get a glimpse of what's to come with the soccer teams this season.

"Success raises the bar for performance, leading to higher expectations from fans, media, players, and even us coaches," said Olvera.

Olvera says they all feel the added pressure to replicate or exceed last year's achievements, but he emphasizes to all his players to focus on maintaining a balanced mindset and looking at the process over the outcomes.

In the offseason, Olvera sensed the increased motivation and confidence among players.

"This positive momentum can be harnessed through rigorous training and maintaining a strong work ethic, ensuring that the team remains driven and focused."

Lexie Key, goalie, and the only senior on the women's team, said she's ready to make it back to the national tournament again.

"My main goal is winning it all this year, especially since it's my last year, and we've been to nationals back to back. I know we can do it again."

Key emphasized that making it to nationals is not something everyone gets to experience in their playing career, but it's something that has impacted her approach to the game.

Dwight Hudson, right back and one of many star freshmen last year, made comments similar to Key's about the impact of playing in the national tournament.

"Nationals made me look at the game differently and taught me how to be calm in high-pressure situations"

Although Olvera was able to return some of his men's and women's rosters, there are still a few changes to both teams. Despite the changes, Olvera says his expectations are still high, and there are tools he uses to ensure the teams are still cohesive.

"I addressed this by focusing on team-building exercises," he said, "and ensuring that new and returning players had opportunities to bond through drills and team activities."

Olvera said that he is excited for the new players on his teams and mentions four key players that he expects big seasons out of.

"On the women's side, some key names to look out for are Amanda Quinones and Cathy Munguia. For the men, Jared Gutierrez, and Luis Diaz, two freshmen."

With the soccer season about to come into full swing, we should all be excited about what Coach Olvera and his Knights are building down here in Keene, Texas.