The Brownwood Lions soccer program is under new management this year, as former Lion and Howard Payne standout Michael Westerman is taking over as head coach.
The Lions, coming off a 2-15 campaign and fourth-place finish in District 4-4A a year ago, kick off their season at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Wichita Falls Hirschi.
Westerman is a 2013 Brownwood High graduate, played center midfielder under head coach J.B Gibbs and helped guide the Lions to a district championship. Westerman began his college career at McMurry and finished at Howard Payne, where he was selected team captain. He then served as a graduate assistant at HPU and later joined the Weatherford FC at the UPSL level and competed for almost two seasons.
Regarding his approach to coaching, Westerman said, “Soccer is a beautiful sport and has allowed me to grow, mature, and develop character through adversity. Coaching, for me, consists of effective interactions and the opportunity to assist players to come up with right and mature choices in all aspects of their lives. It is important to me to develop partnerships with all players, lead by example, serve as a pillar of support, and simply share my passion for soccer wholeheartedly.”
Westerman said of his short-term and long-term goals for the program, “Our goal is build a culture around the program. The identity of the program seems to have disappeared and it is difficult to be successful both individually and collectively when there is no purpose. This group has embraced the change and has been working tremendously on making a difference. As we continue to build ourselves as individuals and as a program, the results will follow.”
Among the returnees for the Lions are senior Cameron Phipps and junior Caleb Nelson, both first-team all-district selections a year ago, along with seniors Vincent Floyd and Adam Sauceda, who were both second-team choices.
“Our group of seniors this year will be certainly be the foundation to our team,” Westerman said. “Cameron Phipps, Aden Solis, and Adam Sauceda have all stepped into new roles this season for the betterment of the team and have been outstanding. Vincent Floyd returns as a very dangerous threat in our attack and our keeper Hunter Glass has been able to fully devote himself in goal this season. Caleb Nelson and Dryden Anderson have also been excellent returners that have the ability to change the game at any moment. This season we will have several younger players step up and showcase their abilities. I truly believe that this team will turn some heads this season and I couldn’t be anymore excited.”
The Lions will not play a home game until the Feb. 11 District 4-4A opener against Graham as pre-district play takes Brownwood to Georgetown for the Governor’s Cup this weekend, Alvarado for tournament action Jan. 14-15 and San Angelo for another tournament Jan. 20-22. Other pre-district tilts include trips to Abilene Cooper, San Angelo Lake View, Abilene Wylie and Sweetwater.
“Leading up to district, our preseason is going to be very difficult,” Westerman said. “We’ll be playing larger schools at a shorter turnaround time. This time will be used to build our character, expose our leaders, and learn what it takes for a good team to be great. Every game is a winnable game for us and that is the mentality we will have. As previously mentioned, I believe we will surprise a lot of teams this year and I am excited about that. District is there to be won and we want it.”
The Lions will play 12 district games – three apiece – against Mineral Wells, Graham and Stephenville as Brownwood looks to dramatically improve upon its recent trend of fourth-place league finishes.
“We have all the tools necessary to be a standout team this year,” Westerman said. “We have already dealt with injuries from previous sports and I am sure we’ll deal with them throughout the season, that is part of the game, but the boys have responded well and our confidence is high. We will be relentless and tough to beat.”
| 2022 LIONS | SOCCER VARSITY SCHEDULE | |
| Jan. 4 | at Wichita Falls Hirschi | 6 p.m. |
| Jan. 6-8 | at Georgetown Governor’s Cup | TBA |
| Jan. 11 | at Abilene Cooper | 7 p.m. |
| Jan. 14-15 | at Alvarado tournament | TBA |
| Jan. 18 | at San Angelo Lake View | 5 p.m. |
| Jan. 20-22 | at San Angelo Boomtown tourney | TBA |
| Jan. 25 | at Abilene Wylie | 7 p.m. |
| Feb. 4 | at Sweetwater | 7 p.m. |
| Feb. 11 | Graham* | 7:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 15 | Mineral Wells* | 7:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 18 | at Stephenville* | 7:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 22 | at Graham* | 7:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 25 | at Mineral Wells* | 7:30 p.m. |
| March 1 | Stephenville* | 7:30 p.m. |
| March 4 | Graham* | 7:30 p.m. |
| March 8 | BYE | |
| March 11 | Mineral Wells* | 7:30 p.m. |
| March 15 | at Stephenville* | 7:30 p.m. |
| * District 4-4A game |