The Sealy Tiger soccer team wrapped up its preseason earlier this week on Monday night at T.J. Mills Stadium with a 2-0 loss to the Foster Falcons, who compete in Class 5A, in their second and final scrimmage.

Last Friday, Sealy traveled to Cy Fair to take on the Class 6A Bobcats and Tiger head soccer coach Juan Perez said his squad had plenty to take away from the punches above its weight class.

“We learn from them because believe me they have nice players you see the difference but at the end we have to come out and we’re going to compete no matter what,” Perez said after Monday’s scrimmage.

Although Sealy – and every other soccer team in Texas – was unable to finish its most recent regular season due to the coronavirus pandemic, some of the Tigers’ top players from last season either graduated or did not return to the team but Perez looked forward to narrowing down the roster for the regularseason opener on Jan. 8.

“You see a lot of new faces. It’s not easy because we need to work specifics with specific players,” the head coach said. “But we always come out at the end pretty good, and they know I have a lot of faith in them.”

Returning to lead the offense are senior classmates Ricky Avila and Erick Balderas, both of whom garnered all-district honors, and they are joined by fellow seniors Angel Guerrero and Fonsi Avalos who all took the field for the final tune-up of the preseason Monday night on their home field.

“I’m happy because we’re back, we love the game,” Perez said.

Sealy will defend its home turf against some different district competitors this season and won’t see teams like Stafford, Needville and Fulshear after the recent realignment of the University Interscholastic League.

“I also think they all lost players because I don’t think we’re the only school losing players, some of them decide to go somewhere else,” Perez said.

The head coach will have the holiday break and some more practices with the varsity roster before the regular season begins but looked forward to recreating the lineup.

“I’m still looking for two players, I think we got one, Carlos, he came from another school, he’s good. Ricky’s back, he’s amazing, he’s always playing on the frontline all night long, let’s hope for the best,” Perez said. “I’m missing a lot of good players but what do we do? Every year is a new year, we’ll do something good. I love it, the feeling … of just being here is amazing.”