Finishing Off Week One

The SM South Boy’s soccer team finishes their first week of play with two losses.

On Tuesday the Raiders played SM East at SMS Stadium and fell short in their first game. Missing two starters, Ravi Bilgen and Gabe Cisneros, because they didn’t meet the required number of practices to play definitely didn’t help the Raiders. The team is hoping to have them back by senior night, September 24th
Head Coach Aaron Dean’s first season as SMS’s head coach didn’t start as planned. He tried to keep up with Easts experienced team full of seniors, motivating the Raiders to score their lone goal from a Richard Conejo free kick after half time. The Raiders couldn’t keep up any rhythm after the free kick.
While the Raiders were awaiting confirmation from the district to start their season, their next opponent- Mill Valley, has already played three games, winning two and losing the third to Saint Thomas Aquinas. The Raiders will look to bounce back against Mill Valley, a good team on Thursday to even their record to 1-1.
On Thursday the Raiders boys soccer team fell to Mill Valley 2-1. Missing two starters, Ravi Bilgen and Gabe Cisneros, because they didn’t meet the required number of practices to play definitely didn’t help the Raiders. The team will have them back next game vs Defending State Champs Olathe West next Tuesday.
Aaron Dean’s first head coaching season and hasn’t started the way he planned, losing his first 2 games. After halftime a fight broke out, sending two players out of the game. Junior center midfielder Dominic Lunetta scored the only goal for the Raiders late in the game, off a deflection from outside the box. The Raiders couldn’t keep up any rhythm after Lunettas goal.
“Communication is key with this team,” Senior left back Chase Davids said, “We brought out a very young lineup tonight, and we are hoping that with more varsity minutes we will continue to improve and come back with a win next Tuesday”
Things weren’t all bad for the Raiders on Thursday night, after giving up 5 goals to SME in their last game the Raiders held Mill Valley to only 2 goals. SMS will try and change things up next week by adding more experience with returning Seniors Gabe Cisneroes and Ravi Bilgen.The Raiders look to get their first win of the season next Tuesday Night at SMS vs Olathe West.