Tyler Legacy Red Raiders kick off 2024 season Thursday in Frisco

Published 8:43 am Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Tyler Legacy had a big 2023 soccer season.

The Red Raiders went 22-2-3, won their third straight district title and advanced to the third round of the playoffs for the first time since 2012.

The Red Raiders scored 98 goals as a team in 2023. Noe Robles had a school-record 35 goals last season and finished his career with a program-record 109 goals.

Robles was one of six seniors that started on varsity since they were freshmen. But they’re gone now.

However, the cupboard is not bare.

The Red Raiders bring back nine players — Guy Wofford, Brady Filla, Diego Castillo, Sam Martinez, Axel Ruben, Jaron Wilkerson, Anthony Tierrablanca, Juan Felix and Knox Hicks — who all have plenty of experience. Though Tierrablanca suffered a knee injury in the final scrimmage against Tyler High and will miss the season.

Also back is head coach Marty Germany, who was set to retire but decided to come back for at least another season. Germany will enter his 26th season at Lee/Legacy, and the Red Raiders have 163 wins in his 12 seasons as the head coach.

“We’re ready to get things going,” Germany said. “You get to a point in the fall where you’re tired of scrimmaging each other and ready to play somebody wearing a different color. We got a few scrimmages under our belt, but we’re still looking to play that first game.”

The Red Raiders will compete in the Dr. Pepper Soccer Invitational Showcase Thursday through Saturday in Frisco. Legacy will open against 2023 Class 6A state finalist Dripping Springs ay 6 p.m. Thursday. The Red Raiders will play Frisco at 10 a.m. Friday and Flower Mound at 1 p.m. Saturday.

“We will find out how good we are,” Germany said. “We are facing three quality teams. It will tell us quite a bit.”

Hicks (12 goals, 10 assists) and Ruben (10 goals, 8 assists) are the top returning scorers for Legacy. Wilkerson and Felix are back in the midfield. Filla, Castillo and Martinez return on the back end.

Wofford, a junior, returns in goal, allowing 28 goals in 27 matches last season and 11 goals conceded in 12 district matches.

Some newcomers for the Red Raiders are senior Marlo Rodriguez, juniors Carson Spillman and Josue Chavez and sophomore David Chavez.

The Red Raiders’ first home match will be Jan. 26 against North Forney.