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(WEB EXCLUSIVE) So far so good: Boyd soccer shines in district play
By Richard C. White, rwhite@starlocalnews.com
Given the wealth of soccer talent in the Metroplex coupled with the high standards within their own program, McKinney Boyd head coach Casey Osborn understands that the expectations to win are immediate. Halfway through their district schedule, the Broncos have done just that.
"We're playing better right now and we played a very tough non-district, so to be sitting where we are in the win column, it's not a surprise," Osborn said. "It's kind of expected. I knew our squad was talented, it was just a matter of it coming together."
The Broncos are 11-3-2 on the season and a perfect 4-0 in District 10-5A. For some programs, high expectations bring stress and unwanted pressure. For the Broncos though Osborn said it brings a clear understanding of what is expected.
The Broncos have won their last two district titles and are striving for a third straight. Boyd began the district season with a 6-3 win against Plano West on Feb. 12. The Broncos followed that up with a 2-0 win against Plano Senior and a 3-1 win against Allen heading into Friday's 2-1 win against Plano East on the road.
"We just have to keep plugging away," Obsorn said. "I like that we really grinded one out tonight. I don't think we played as well tonight as we have been, but our effort and discipline carried us through this one. We let our heart take over."
Forwards Sewell Yost and Ryan Trayner lead Boyd's offensive efforts this year.
"Our offense has really started to click," Osborn said. "Sewell has been very consistent putting the ball in the back of the net, and so has Ryan."
Osborn is also pleased with what he's seen from captains William Wiginton at defender and Dillon Farrell at midfield.
"Our backline has held strong, led by Wiginton," he said. "And in our midfield, Dillon has done an outstanding job controlling the play there as well."
Boyd had a split goalkeeper system at the beginning of the year, but in recent weeks Evan Davies has emerged as the Broncos' top choice.
"He earned the starting job about seven games ago," Osborn said. "He's learning as he's going and he's getting better every game. He's rising to the challenges and doing a good job of keeping us in games back there."
One of Boyd's most dynamic players is senior Jared Symmank, who is an outside back defender.
"He brings a different type of athleticism to our technique and our system," Osborn said. "He's so good at getting forward. He's kind of an eraser. Even if he makes a mistake, he's so athletic he's going to get back and not make that mistake again."
While the Broncos have many things going well for them, there are still some areas that need fixing.
"Our goals-against average has got to drop," Osborn said. "So defensively, we have got to tighten up and make sure that we're giving ourselves a chance to win games and avoid making mistakes in the back. We've have got to continue to fine tune the backline and get more shutouts."
Boyd may have sprinted out to a strong start this season, but given the Broncos' postseason aspirations, Osborn knows the hard work has only just begun.
"We've still got plenty of work to do," he said. "We know how important each of these games is now. These games are consequential to how we go into the playoffs as far as seeding is concerned. The fact that we want to go in as one of the top seeds is motivation enough to keep this team focused."
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