Tyler Legacy’s Axel Ruben looks to attack against Mesquite on Jan. 30, 2024. (Michel Alfaro/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Tyler Legacy’s Axel Ruben has earned Tyler Morning Telegraph Boys Soccer Player of the Week honors for games played Dec. 30-Jan. 4.

Ruben had six goals and three assists as the Tyler Legacy Red Raiders went 3-0 in the Dr. Pink Showcase Tournament in Frisco.

Ruben had one goal and one assist in each of the first two games — wins over Richardson Berkner (4-2) and Frisco Liberty (7-1).

In the finale against Frisco Heritage — a 6-0 Red Raiders’ victory — Ruben scored four goals and also dished out an assist.

In other outstanding performances in the area last week (nominated by coaches):

Athens’ Eric Anaya Rojas had three goals in a 5-3 win over Texarkana Pleasant Grove.

Palestine senior Mario Escalante scored five goals in four matches and had two assists. Junior defender Colt James anchored a defense that allowed just five goals in four matches.

In the Lethal Soccer Regional Rankings, Tyler Legacy No. 12 and Longview No. 18 in Class 6A Region II; Mount pleasant No. 11, Nacogdoches No. 18, Jacksonville No. 21 and Lufkin No. 23 in Class 5A Region II; and Kilgore No. 2, Palestine No. 3, Pine Tree No. 10, Chapel Hill No. 13, Center No. 16, Pleasant Grove No. 17, Hudson No. 18, Sabine No. 19, Lindale No. 20, Athens No. 22, Pittsburg No. 24 and Paris No. 25 in Class 4A Region II.

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Coaches are asked to send in their nominations to bogden@tylerpaper.com or sports@tylerpaper.com by 11 a.m. each Tuesday.