Farmersville senior Michael Vasquez scored the lone goal for Farmersville in a 1-0 upset win over Frisco Panther Creek on Saturday, 25. Submitted photo.

By David Wolman

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After the Farmersville boys’ soccer team lost 3-0 to Sunnyvale in the fourth game of the season, second-year Farmers head coach Barrett Clark made an important decision that may have changed the season outlook for Farmersville, and it has been for the better.

Having surrendered five goals over a span of two games in losses to Prosper Rock Hill and Sunnyvale, Clark made a change at goalkeeper as he inserted junior Daniel Mendoza. Mendoza led Farmersville in goals last year, and already has scored four goals this season, so Clark understood that he was sacrificing a crucial piece of their offense to improve on defense. But it’s a risk that has paid off in a big way for Farmersville.

Mendoza has not surrendered a goal over his first three starts at his new position. Farmersville has won all three games.

“Him being humble and realizing the best way for us to be better was to play keeper for us has been a huge move for our program,” Clark said. “He is a ‘Yes sir,’ does whatever the team needs to be successful. He’s a great kid, great leader and one of the best players that we have on our team.”

Mendoza earned his second shutout of his high school career last Saturday. Farmersville earned a 1-0 upset win against a Panther Creek team that came into the game ranked No. 1 in Region II-4A in the latest Texas Association of Soccer Coaches state poll.

“Our defense played great,” Clark said. “We limited their chances and then held off a strong surge by Panther Creek in the last 15 minutes. It was probably the biggest win in our program’s history.”

The only goal of the game was scored with 21 minutes remaining in the second half.

Senior Michael Vasquez won the battle for a header and the ball worked its way to the feet of sophomore Jairo Acosta. Acosta then saw Vasquez darting up the field and made a pass to Vasquez. Vasquez split two center backs for Panther Creek and finished a breakaway chance with a goal.

“He played incredible,” Clark said of Vasquez. “He was in there fighting for every inch and playing hard.”

Farmersville improved to 2-0 in District 11-4A with the win.

Last Saturday’s triumph came three days after Farmersville cruised to a 5-2 road win over Pilot Point on Wednesday, Jan. 22.

Vasquez had a big night with two goals and one assist to pace a balanced Farmers’ offensive attack. Mendoza, freshman Felix Maldonado and senior Yovanni Landaverde each netted one goal.

“Pilot Point was a good game for us,” Clark said. “We won 80 to 90% of the 50-50 balls. Our midfield did great and dominated that game. We did not allow very many shots on goal. We missed a lot of shots. We missed at least eight balls inside the penalty area. We kicked balls to the left. We kicked balls to the right. But, overall, we played a solid game.”

Farmersville made it 3-0 in district play with a 3-0 road win over Aubrey on Tuesday, Jan. 28.

Landaverde scored two goals and junior Christian Aguilar added one goal.

Farmersville has never made the playoffs but that could change this season. The Farmers are in their second year in the same system with Clark. And while there are just three seasons on the team, many players who were freshmen and sophomores last season who are now sophomores and juniors now have a year of varsity playing experience under their belt.

Sophomore right back Kevin Jurado and sophomore defenseman Gustavo Ramos have flourished on the back end of Farmersville’s defense ever since they were called up from the Farmers’ junior varsity team halfway through last season, and they have built great chemistry with junior Joel Pineda, a center back.

Acosta, Landaverde, and juniors Aguilar and Juan Vargas are back at midfield for Farmersville. Junior forward Fernando Hernandez has one goal.

“I believe we have what it takes,” Clark said. “The win over Panther Creek was a huge confidence boost for our team. They believe that they can play well against other great programs like Panther Creek, Aubrey, Celina and Gainesville.”