The M-3 season started Sunday, March 24th for the Wolfpack Academy that is comprised of players from Mexico, California, Hallsville and Columbia. 

The M-3 League is a 5v5 format, four field players and a goalkeeper. This format is similar to indoor futsal but played outdoors with field dimensions bigger in size.

The first match of the day was a well-played game by the Wolfpack Academy and Ravens Academy. The Wolfpack played pressure defense making it a battle to move on the field. The Ravens matched intensity, but the Wolfpack would find the back of the net with a score by Ivan Pena, of California Middle School. Kenneth Guzman, of California High School, would find the back of the net shortly before halftime leaving the score 2-0 at half.

The second half would have three more goals by Kenneth Guzman with assists and good header placement by Jesus Garcia, of Mexico High School. The Ravens would answer with a goal finding the back of the net. The Wolfpack seemed to relax letting two goals score clearly from mistakes of not protecting the net area and not protecting the ball. Goalkeeper Gonzalo Garcia was just getting back after a season off from soccer due to Pinto Football. The Ravens pulled within two goals but would fall 5-3.

The second match of the day would be vs Kirksville High School. With a three-hour gap between games the Wolfpack seemed to be a bit sluggish but maintained high level play. Kirksville took full advantage by lots of movement to space and check-ins. The physical play of Kirksville would slowly take a toll on the Wolfpack Academy by trailing 3-1 at halftime. One goal found the back of the net by Than Nge Htway of Hallsville High School in the first half.

“The team wasn’t playing up to the level of the opponent,” coach Chris Williamson said. “Our problem was our conditioning and not taking advantage of the three-hour gap in between games. I made that very clear at halftime.”

The team responded quickly by scoring two quick goals by Than Nge Htway, of Hallsville High School, continuing where he left off in the first half making it 5-3. Jesus Garcia, of Mexico High School, and Yousef Ruhenda, of Battle High School, would defend but as fatigue and lack of defensive play by some of our forwards would not be enough as a barrage of shots on goal started to increase in the second half.

Goalkeeper Gonzalo Garcia would show in Game 2 he was back in soccer mode by making some tremendous saves. Garcia must have had at least twenty five shots on goal all but seven got stopped. The Wolfpack would fall 7-3.

“This is what happens when you miss practice and you’re not getting touches you should on your own,” Williamson said. “You get hit in the mouth and there's nothing really to say about it.”

The one thing that I was able to establish is a team captain for the M-3 season: Jesus Garcia, of Mexico High School. Garcia played on my JV Soccer team I coached at Mexico High School. 

“He is a player that understands playing with everything you have to give and playing defense as a wingback and as a forward,” Williamson said. “You have to play defense at every position but as a forward your defense will keep the ball on the opponent's side of the field. You can’t just wait on it to be kicked back up to you. Garcia understands this the best from our prior experiences together. After seeing him playing to the end with just a dissatisfaction of losing but still giving 110 percent he is ready for captain and to lead by example. A sophomore that will be pivotal in the future for Bulldog Soccer as well.”