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Forward momentum: Wolves anticipate more offense in 2013
BY Matt Welch, mwelch@starlocalnews.com
Goal scoring has been hard to come by for Plano West boys soccer in recent years.
Since 2009, the Wolves have played 42 district matches and have just six multi-goal performances to show for it.
West hopes that will change in 2013 with two goals scored in four of six games thus far.
It's a script flipped from years' past where West's attackers struggled to find the back of the net and that potential stylistic change can be attributed to more offensive-minded personnel.
"We have players with more of an attacking mentality," Dowell said. "The past few years, we've never had that many true forwards and this year we do. We have some kids up from JV and some new additions, and we have more options than we have in the past at forward."
New additions are laden throughout the West front line this year, with only one forward -- sophomore Damon Foncham -- back for 2013. The rest of the unit is a welcome blend of upper and underclassmen, with the Wolves enjoying the addition of senior Carlos Navarro.
"[Navarro] actually does taekwondo and is pretty serious about that," Dowell said, "and because of some commitments regarding that last year, we didn't have him."
Navarro will help bolster the attacking front this season, alongside sophomores Abdel Sanogo and Trent Johnson. Senior Milko Medrano also makes his varsity debut and is expected to chip in. Experience is in the midfield's favor with seniors Jean Sanchez, John Rind and junior Sebastian Kleinerman back in tow.
"I think skill-wise, this is a really good group," Dowell said. "I'd say the biggest weakness is they're not very big. We have size up front and some size in the back, but the midfield makes up for it with work rate."
The ability for the Wolves to match pace on defense and in goal will be vital to the outcome of their season as junior Lance Fricke and senior Brandt Phillips are the lone defenders boasting any experience on the back line. In goal, West is targeting junior Adam Learmont as the team's go-to netminder, although an early groin injury has stifled that progression.
"Goalkeeper is a position where you need to be in and playing consistently so you get into a rhythm," Dowell said. "With [Learmont] getting this early injury, that takes away from him getting into the rhythm we'd like him to. He's a good keeper, so hopefully we get him healthy."
In Learmont's place, reps are divvied up between junior Sam Schell and senior Hyeong Jo.
The need for improved defense has shown early as the Wolves are averaging 1.7 goals per game, but surrendering 1.7 as well. The team has gone 1-1-4 in that six-game span. West will continue to shore up any kinks today through Saturday at the Marcus Tournament.
"If we can get our team defense out, I think we'll have a pretty good team," Dowell said. "I think we'll create a lot of chances to score a lot of goals. The question will be if we can defend because you have to have defense to truly be successful."
For continued news and coverage on the local sports scene, follow @MWelchSCN on Twitter.
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