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Success all the same: Lions hold firm in new district, reach postseason
By Richard C. White, rwhite@starlocalnews.com
The McKinney boys soccer team clinched a spot in the playoffs with their 2-2 tie against Plano West Friday night.
The significance of the moment was not lost on Lions coach Alan Pocock.
"This one is extra meaningful," Pocock said. "A lot of people didn't give us much of a chance at all after losing a lot of our offense to graduation last year and we also moved up to not just any 5A district, but this tough district with such huge schools that all have deep talent and rich playoff traditions."
"Our players have worked hard and I'm proud of their accomplishment," Pocock said. "They've carried on the Lions' soccer legacy and tradition in this incredibly competitive 5A district. I thank our players for all of their sacrifices and their team-first mentality decisions they've made this season. They've done everything I've asked them to do."
Not only did the Lions clinch a spot in the postseason, they also didn't lose to any of their tradition-rich Plano-based rivals, posting a 3-1-4 overall record in District 10-5A. This comes as a stark contrast to the last time McKinney was aligned against these same rivals years ago.
"Those two years combined that we were aligned with Plano ISD and Allen and a few others, we won only one district game," Pocock said. "In this one year we've tripled that and we clinched a playoff spot."
The Lions secured their postseason berth with two games to spare, and are guaranteed to finish no worse than third in the district standings.
"I think that speaks to the expectations our players have for themselves," Pocock said. "No matter what the circumstance, we expect to go out and win. This was the most ties I've ever had in a season. Every single game has been winnable for us. We were just one goal from winning every game and when we tie they're not jumping up and down, they have a hungry look in their eyes as if to say, 'We're not lucky to have tied them, the other team is lucky they didn't lose.'"
Senior center midfielders Gerson Mendoza and Mikie Swim are key contributors to the Lions success.
"I love the charisma and leadership by example that I've gotten from two of my captains, Gerson and Mikie," Pocock said. "They've set the tone for this level-headed approach that's worked well for us."
Senior goalkeeper Rylan Whan has also been influential in McKinney's good fortunes this season. Whan originally split time at goal with junior Quique Vicens.
"I have just until recently been splitting my keepers," Pocock said. "I've been switching them at halftime and that keeps us fresh and focused, but recently I saw some strengths that Rylan has that I wanted to keep him in goal. He's somebody who waited patiently for his chance and he's grabbed that spot."
Cross-town rival McKinney Boyd (7-0-1) leads the 5A standings with 15 points, with Allen (4-1-3) in second place with 11 points. McKinney is right on Allen's heels in third place with 10 points.
The Lions return to action against Allen 7:15 p.m. Tuesday at Allen Eagle Stadium.
McKinney's district isn't the only one with various seedings still undecided with two games remaining in the regular season. District 9-5A, against whom McKinney will play its first round match, is in a severe logjam with Jesuit, Lake Highlands, Richardson, Skyline, and Berkner all clumped closely together.
Even though they've clinched a spot in the postseason, the Lions are far from satisfied as they're eyeing a higher seed to compliment a deep playoff run.
"We were definitely the underdog in every single district game and still will be," Pocock said. "Now people see what we're made of now that we're in this district. I'm glad to silence the critics, but now it's time to fine-tune and peak at the right time and hopefully make a good playoff run."
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