It’s not hard to figure out what the Sweetwater boys soccer team’s goals are for the 2020 season.
Just look at last year’s result, then add a little more success.
“Our goal is to go to the state (tournament) and do better this time,” head coach Ricardo Torres said.
Finding more success than last year’s squad did might be a tough ask. The 2019 Wildcats made the state tournament for the first time in program history, notching one of its best overall seasons along the way.
Torres led the team to such a phenomenal achievement in just his first season at the helm. Don’t expect him to flaunt it, though.
“I don’t like to talk about myself that much because I’m the coach, but they’re the players,” Torres said. “They play on the field. What I think about a coach is that it doesn’t matter how much you know. What really matters for the kids is that you show that you care about the kids and that you teach what you know.
“At this level, high school level, it’s not a lot about the level of soccer but the way you treat kids, the way you show them that you care about them, about what they want to do in life.”
What Torres is focusing on, however, is fielding an even better season in Year Two. And he has plenty of reasons to feel optimistic, with a strong senior class topping the list.
“Definitely, this group of seniors is a very solid group,” Torres said. “(In) high school soccer, not every year you have a lot of players with the same level of soccer (talent and experience). And this year, I think, (our) seniors are, (in) my point of view, the best group of soccer players that I’ve coached.
“I think this needs to be a good year for Sweetwater High School.”
One of those seniors is Tennessee Wesleyan signee Hudson Harvey. He was the 2019 All-County MVP, also making the Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State team and garnering All-Region and All-District honors.
Harvey is looking to follow up his stellar junior season with an even better senior campaign.
“I’m hoping we can come back out and go to state again, maybe get a little farther in state,” Harvey said. “And hopefully I can get All-State again. That’s my big goal.”
Sophomore Jonathan Cano could also be a key weapon for the Wildcats. He was named the 2019 All-County Rookie of the Year following a stellar freshman season and boasts a big leg that can come in handy for Torres’ squad.
Torres doesn’t just want his team to excel on the pitch, though; he’s just as adamant about his players performing well in the classroom.
“They know that the only thing they have to do is be there,” Torres said. “I said (to them), ‘Be consistent and just be responsible, (in) school and outside of school’ … You have to be good not only in sports, but in school too.”
The goals abound for the Wildcats. Based on last year’s result, there’s no reason to question them.
“We’re looking forward to go to state again,” Torres said. “That will be our goal.”
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