After tumultuous ending, HP’s new start includes optimism and elite talent
After an offseason of trying to emphasize the positives, Highland Park is preparing for a new soccer campaign focused on the future.
A year ago, the Scots topped Liberty Hill in the Class 5A Division II state championship game before being forced to forfeit the title hours later due to using an ineligible player.
With that unfortunate circumstance now in the past, HP is looking to build on the foundation established by a historic season that included just one regulation defeat.
“We’re looking to take our experiences and continue to build the program,” said HP head coach Scott Turner. “We’ve really focused on creating our own identity. We want to build on our positive culture and build on the momentum from the last two years.”
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The Scots have bought into a possession-oriented style defined by ball control, passing, and controlling the tempo of the game.
“The possession is our way of moving the defense by moving the ball. Then we can get behind the defense and get a higher-percentage chance,” Turner said. “It’s also a way to help us to defend by building up and getting closer to their goal.”
Last season, HP outscored its opponents by a combined margin of 57-6 during the regular season. This year, the Scots hope more of their high-danger opportunities wind up with the ball in the back of the net.
“The next piece for us is to play faster and increase our speed of play and doing that clinically so we can convert more of our scoring chances,” Turner said. “Our players have been working very hard.”
Although leading scorer Jack O’Grady and starting goalkeeper Justin Ratner both graduated, the Scots return plenty of experienced talent, including Jake Rhine, Trey Shamburger, Davis Hooks, Brian Gurtowski, Aleksander Holmsen, and Carter Reese. The new starting goalkeeper is Preston Telfer.
HP will play a challenging schedule by design, starting with tournaments in Allen and DeSoto before a strong District 12-5A slate that includes perennial power Frisco Wakeland.
“We have to pay attention to the process so we’re always building off what we learned in the last game,” Turner said. “We’re going to do the best we can to maximize our potential. We feel good about our players and our team moving forward.”
