Varsity Soccer Sizzles

Alex Buettgen ’22
After a great regular season and solid performance in the playoffs in 2021, the Strake Jesuit varsity soccer team came into this season with the goal of making a run to the state championship, a goal toward which the team has made steady progress.
With abundant varsity experience coming from the junior and senior classes, the Crusaders have become one of the most formidable teams in the state.
The Crusaders have gone 12-1-6, with the lone loss coming early in the season in a 2-1 heartbreaker to Dobie. However, the Crusaders have been scorching hot lately, winning 10 out of their last 11, with one game being a tie.
In the last 10 games, the Crusaders have outscored their opponents 35 goals to their combined opponents’ seven goals, a credit to our truly electric offense. We also have an incredible defense, anchored by three-year starter Ben Caligur ’22.
To go along with the experience of the players comes the experience of the coaching staff. Head Coach Bill McDonald has led the Crusaders soccer team for many years and just recently won his 600th game as the head coach.
This combination of talent, experience, and winning culture makes the Crusaders a very possible threat to go all the way this year.
The red-hot Crusaders will take on Alvin High School on March 9, Alief Elsik on March 11th, and then they head to the state playoffs.
Watch Out UIL. The Crusaders are coming!