The soccer team opened up their season against Lake Travis on Friday, Dec. 12 at Monroe Stadium with a final score of a 1-1. This game marked the beginning of their quest to become back-to-back state champions.
“To win state again this year, we will need to rely on our experience that we have as a senior dominated team,” senior defender Jack Garner said. “We also need to take the season one game at a time and not get complacent because of what we accomplished last season.”
Lake Travis was a solid test to open the season, finishing with a record of 16-5-2 last year and winning three playoff games. Their season ended in a close 3-2 loss to Vista Ridge.
“Right now, we’re preparing for that game by practicing corner kicks and throw-ins to make sure we cover all the small details,” senior midfielder Grant Teodecki said. “But other than that it comes down to executing. We’ve had a long preseason and we know what it takes to win, we just have to do it.”
The team is coached by Jonathan Winship, who has been the head coach since 2022. Since his arrival, he has won District Coach of the Year in 2022 and 2024, Austin American Statesman Coach of the Year in 2024 and 2025, and TASCO Coach of the Year in 2024 and 2025. Along with his individual awards, he has guided the team to two district championships, 13 playoff wins, and back-to-back appearances at state.
“Winship focuses not on just solely your performance, but the investment and bond he makes with you,” senior goalkeeper Abdullah Altuwaijri said. “That’s what made him so special and successful.”
The team is replacing 16 seniors from last year, including state championship MVP James Hehman. A unique component of this year’s team is that there is only one goalkeeper on the roster, meaning that if he gets hurt, a nongoalie will likely have to step into the position.
“Last season, we won the state championship, but coming to a new season, we lost a majority senior roster. However, we as a whole grew and improved to a more than just capable team,” Altuwaijri said. “We’ve had to have adjustments for goalkeepers, because we only have one, which is myself. So in order to prepare for the worst, we have a field player taking goalkeeper training sessions alongside with me.”
Most teams who go on deep playoff runs take away valuable lessons that can be used for the following year, such as learning how to win close games. During last year’s state title run, four out of the six playoff games were decided by only one goal.
“Last year we learned the importance of balance, and how being focused and enjoying yourself are equally important — we play better having fun,” Teodecki said. “We also developed really strong bonds with each other and had an incredible ability to solve problems on the field because we trusted each other and knew we would do our part. Ultimately, we learned that the only thing that matters is what happens on the field — preparation and execution are two very different things, and we executed.”
Despite the Vipers being ranked a top five preseason team in the TXHSSOC preseason rankings, the team needs to play with the same edge that they had last year if they want to have a chance of becoming state champions once again.
“We’re definitely trying to stay grounded and avoid being complacent. Our coaches remind us that last year’s championship doesn’t guarantee us anything this year,” senior defender Max Tovar said. “We are committed to starting fresh, setting new goals, and maintaining the drive that led us to win last year.”
