Ulloa, Kayser lead Tigers’ improvements
Boys soccer season recap
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Progress and growth were the story of the Marshall boys’ 2022 soccer season. The team went 12-5 on the season, winning eight of their last nine regular season games before losing to New Prague in the sectional semifinals. This success under first-year head coach Tony Correa comes just a year after the team went 7-9-1 in the previous season.
"I think they just recognized that it's a team sport," Correa said of his team's strong finish after a 3-3 start. "They realized that after a couple of humbling losses and really put that effort into working together."
While the Tigers learned to work as a team, that doesn't mean they didn't have individual standouts, such as striker Luis Ulloa. The Big South All-Conference first team member finished the season with 26 goals to fly by the Marshall single-season record. His game wasn't all scoring, though, as he also led the team with seven assists.
"It's going to be tough. We've just got to find that one guy that has a good shot and good timing. It could be anyone that steps up and decides it’s going to be them," Correa said of replacing Ulloa's scoring production next year. "Most of these things are teachable... confidence is going to be a big factor, so the team, parents, and coaches supporting them."
Record-breaking numbers aren't expected, but consistency will be key in developing an ace, Correa said, adding that Ulloa's graduation will just mean more on everyone else's plate.
Alongside Ulloa, midfielder and team captain Lucas Kayser was also named to the Big South All-Conference team. Kayser's numbers weren't as flashy as Ulloa's, but he still was tied with Jared Hernandez for second on the team in scoring with three goals. More importantly, Kayser played an important leadership role on the team.
Going into next year, Kayser passed on the title of captain to Jasiel Flores. Flores seems apt for the role. Going into his junior season, Flores was described as the core of the team by Correa.
"Lucas took note that he'd seen [Flores] training every day at the field over the summer. He's a hard worker and one of our biggest assets," Correa said.
The pair of captains both made clutch plays in Marshall's home game against Worthington in the last week of September to give the Tigers a 2-1 win. With two minutes remaining in overtime and the score tied at 1-1, Flores recovered a loose ball off a corner kick by the goal line. Once he gained possession, he dribbled through the defense into the box and tipped the ball in to give the Tigers their first win over the Trojans in 10 seasons.
Marshall had nearly lost that contest in regulation, but Kayser was able to convert a header off a corner kick in the final minutes of regulation to force extra time.
"That game could have gone either way," Correa said. "Those guys are a powerhouse over there. When we beat them, it really changed the confidence of the team. It secured their thoughts that we could have a good playoff run... It was the highlight of the season in showing the Minnesota soccer community that we are contenders."
In addition to a pair of first-team members, the Tigers were well-represented on the all-conference honorable mentions list. Senior Cesar Guzman-Moreno was named to the team, but the fact that a pair of sophomores also appeared on the list--Hernandez, and goalkeeper Alex Melendez-Gomez--brings optimism for the future of the team.
Herandez has always been one of the top players in his class since before he was even on varsity, Correa said.
"He's been the most skilled player from what I've seen, and I can see skill within five minutes of watching players," Correa said. "I'm hoping he can get more physical... he's really going to transform once he hits that growth spurt."
"He's gotten taller, but he's just so natural that he can score, assist, dribble, and defend. I really hope he becomes more physical and gets involved a lot more because he's one of the top players on the team."
In addition to Hernandez and Melendez-Gomez, Ansfrid Velasquez is another returning player who could make big contributions next year. Velasquez had trouble finding the back of the net in his freshman year, but not for lack of talent or soccer IQ. He was able to consistently get off quality shots on goal, and while he only scored twice, he showed flashes that could definitely be developed into elite talent as he grows and gains varsity experience.
"I've got big expectations," Correa said. "He's really getting into the grove. In the section game against New Prague, he made one of the nicest goals I've ever seen. I know next year he's going to have more confidence attacking."
While Melendez-Gomez was named to the honorable mention team, Correa emphasized that he has confidence in both of his team’s goalkeepers. Roberto Garcia's .842 save rate was actually higher than Melendez-Gomez's (.819), Correa said. Still, that's not taking anything away from Melendez-Gomez.
"The fact that [Melendez-Gomez] stepped up and showed some leadership is what I really enjoyed," Correa said. "Goalkeeper is one of the toughest positions on the field. To go in as a sophomore and be brave enough to make saves, dives, have good technique... that's one of his qualities that I really liked is that he had great technique."
Both are skilled keepers that kept the Tigers in games that they shouldn't have been in, but both also still have room for growth, Correa said. He added that 20 goals allowed by a keeper isn't the number that they want to see, and that both keepers will have the opportunity to go out and take the job moving forward.