By Chris Parker
Jesus Zuniga enters his fourth season as head coach of the Republic soccer team with the most returning players he has had in his tenure.
“Heading into my fourth year as the head coach, this may be the most returning starters and lettermen we have,” Zuniga said. “We will be returning six varsity starters, and 14 varsity lettermen, but also six more who were able to step on the pitch at some point last season.”
Familiarity, consistency, competitiveness and maturity will be pillars for Republic soccer this season.
“I believe that familiarity, consistency, competitiveness, and maturity will be some of our strengths this season,” Zuniga said. “Familiarity not only with teammates, but coaching staff. We return six varsity starters, and several other players have earned varsity minutes. They’re familiar with expectations from a new coach and the only coach they’ve had during their high school career, as this will be the first class I have had for all four years. Consistency comes with the boys consistently being teammates, even outside of high school ball and in their club teams. We have done our best to consistently hold our boys accountable to what our expectations and standards are but also understanding their goals and helping them achieve their individual and team goals. Competitiveness is a strength that we saw in this group since they were freshmen. Our senior, junior and freshmen classes may be some of the largest groups we have had since I have been here, and every game, every practice, every drill, every rep will be an opportunity to prove why they deserve to be part of a varsity starting 11. Maturity comes to mind when I think of the 20-plus upperclassmen that we could potentially have this season. I know age doesn’t always correlate with maturity, but the players and our staff are willing to have the difficult conversations which will allow for growth and maturity as the season goes on.”
Senior William Pinnell returns up top as the leading returning scorer with 15 goals, which accounted for 34.1% of Republic’s goals last season.
“William Pinnell leads by energy and is extremely positive,” Zuniga said. “His teammates gravitate to his optimism and competitive spirit.”
Mason Tackett, also a senior, had three goals as a defender last season and has moved to the attacking third. Junior Josh Hart and senior Sam Richardson have also looked good at forward.
“Sam Richardson will be a player who asks the right questions and will find positives from the team in each half to keep spirits high, even when things get difficult,” Zuniga said.
The midfield will have a different look this season.
“Two of our four graduating seniors controlled the midfield for us, so this will be an area that is completely up for grabs,” Zuniga said.
Juniors Isaiah Redman, Micah Wright and Angel Urquiza have all shown improvement since last fall and are options in the midfield with Redman providing leadership on and off the field.
“Isaiah Redman will be a voice on the bench, in the locker room, and a player/coach until he is ready to go,” Zuniga said.
Senior Leighton Perez has also impressed. Seniors Mason Makoski and Isaac Vermule are two primary defenders who could also play in the midfield.
“Mason Makoski is another energy type of player but very personable and likeable,” Zuniga said.
The midfield is an example of the depth and versatility of the roster.
“I’ve informed the boys this summer that we have a very balanced top 14-16, potentially 18, that could make us change our starting lineup night in and night out, based off our opponents strengths and weaknesses,” Zuniga said.
Tackett and Vermule finished as the center backs last season. They will be team leaders wherever they play.
“Seniors Isaac Vermule and Mason Tackett are two seniors who will be four-year lettermen when their high school career comes to a close,” Zuniga said. “Isaac is your leader by actions, where Mason can be a vocal leader. Both of these players are versatile and can either score goals, help control the midfield, or stabilize our back line.”
Juniors Maddox Aldridge and Kaden Fisher also played big minutes at defender. Hart and junior Dylan Garrison have also gained experience on the back line.
“We have several versatile players which will make this season very fun as a coach, but also will hold our players accountable to not becoming complacent, as there are other players who could come off the bench, or rotate in without having our level of play drop,” Zuniga said.
Junior Koal Williams moved from the field to goalkeeper last season. Ben Roe is another junior who also will play some varsity minutes.
Williams is one of the most versatile players on the roster.
“Williams (is in his) third year playing varsity, and has played literally every position on the pitch,” Zuniga said. “Not only has he played every position, but he has excelled wherever he is needed.”
The team will look to prevent more goals this season.
“Koal Williams has had the best goals against stat line in a season since I have arrived, and I think I can speak for him when I say that 55 goals against is too high,” Zuniga said. “We’d like to bring that number down to an average of one a game, or below, as that’ll always give us the best chance to win, and potentially turn the tide on these close matches.”
Winning close games will be key in turning the corner and finishing with a winning record.
“Looking at our history since I have arrived, we have not had an above .500 season, and the last two years we have had double digit wins, but combined are 3-12 in overtime/penalty kick decided matchups,” Zuniga said. “Our three wins came in penalty kicks, and we have yet to get over the hump in an overtime battle. Several of these players have experienced these challenges, and I think that’s what could potentially make them hungrier than previous years.”
Republic will play a challenging schedule this season adding three teams out of the St. Louis area to provide a different look.
“I don’t know if there’s necessarily an identity I’d like for this group to take an, as I believe we have a very challenging schedule and to take on one identity may not benefit our team and get us to the goals we have,” Zuniga said. “I would love for this group to be the group that gets us over the hump, whether that be through a positive goal differential, an above .500 season, getting a district win in playoffs, or finding ways to win more than lose in those extra time matchups. Resilient, blue collared, hard-nosed, thick skinned and a united group would be the characteristics that may not always be soccer related, but ways I would hope this team would be scouted as.”
Republic opens the season Aug. 29-30 at the Webb City Kickoff Classic.
“Simply put, I want to get over the hump,” Zuniga said. “This is year four, which means these kid have only played for our coaching staff. They have had two different JV coaches and the same varsity coach the last four years. Both JV coaches have been and are very possession-based coaches, which I think will feed into what these boys are comfortable doing. I expect us to continuously grow as the season progresses and for us to be playing our best soccer at the end of October and beginning of November. I expect us to compete in every game and understand that this is a simple game, that many times gets overcomplicated. Do the little things right, and I have a feeling this season could be something we know we are fully capable of achieving, but maybe several others may not believe. I expect the next man up, to step up, and each player and coach to hold each individual accountable.”
