by MARK CAUL
Recent Lehman boys soccer team wins over Wimberley, Canyon Lake and San Marcos high schools have returned senior Juan Gordillo to the winning ways of the last three seasons when the Lobos left opponent after opponent in their wake.
While there have been many high points during Gordillo’s stellar four-year career, this season, where the Lobos lost their first four district games before finally hitting stride, has definitely been a challenge for a player who has been a big factor in a program that has grown accustomed to success.
As a freshman, Gordillo stood out as the vocal leader for a veteran but undisciplined squad that came dangerously close to securing a playoff spot in its first year on the varsity level.
In his sophomore campaign, Gordillo was elected team captain on Jay Sansom’s most successful team to date, which upset state-ranked Pflugerville Hendrickson and set a school record for points scored en route to the school’s first-ever playoff appearance in soccer.
Last year as a junior, Gordillo helped spearhead a second consecutive trip to the playoffs for Lehman and was awarded by being named to the all-district team.
Much was expected as this season began for Lehman after they opened the season by blanking rival Hays in the Rebel Cup championship game.
But the euphoria of winning the Rebel Cup quickly turned sour as the Lobos came out of the gates slowly in District 51-4A action.
“It’s definitely been tough,” Gordillo said. “If we lost two games in a row in my sophomore or junior year it would have been like the end of the world. It was weird for us to lose four games in a row like we did. Especially Hays, I hated losing to them.”
During the course of four years, Gordillo has not only switched positions (from wing to midfielder) he has also matured into a captain who is now able to quietly lead his teammates by example and not necessarily by words.
“Juan was one of the kids I could count on even as a freshman to help refocus our key players (former all-district Lobo stars Arnie Nieto and Jesus Chavez),” Sansom said. “Now, he’s one of our impact seniors who plays the game the right way and more importantly, he hates losing more than anything.”
Gordillo has continued to be one of the team’s defensive players but also is versatile enough to help set the table for the Lobo offense when needed. He has made quite an impact as a four-year varsity starter despite standing only 5-foot, 4-inches tall and weighing less than 125 pounds.
“This year might end up being one of Juan’s best seasons overall in terms of his play on both ends of the field,” said Sansom. “He’s been asked to do a lot this year, play the penalty kill and power play, but there have been very few off-nights, if any, for Juan.”
A season-ending injury to leading scorer Oscar Garcia in only the fifth game of the season has forced Gordillo to play a bigger role offensively this year, but he continues to shine and still hopes to lead his team back to where the Lehman soccer program has grown accustomed to going at season’s end – the playoffs.
“Juan has been a big plus to our program for four years and has been a factor on two playoff teams,” Sansom said. “Certainly his senior year has not gone the way he’s wanted, but it’s not because of his play. He’s had an outstanding year for us.”
Gordillo’s work ethic and leadership abilities may help him as he attempts to play at the college level next season as both Texas Lutheran University and Texas-San Antonio have expressed interest.
“I love playing soccer and would definitely like to keep playing at the next level but if not, then I want to make sure I’m able to get a good education,” Gordillo said. “It’s important for me to have a way to earn a living after soccer’s over.”
But there are also other options for the articulate honor student who will graduate in May in the top-10 percent of his class.
Sansom believes his team captain is destined for big things on and off the soccer field.
“There’s been a couple of teams that have asked about Juan and I know there’s been some interest,” said Sansom. “I’m sure he’ll get an opportunity. Teams like him. He’s got to get stronger and improve in some areas to play at the college level. But his knowledge of the game and his skill level will give him a chance. Either way, Juan is a very bright, very coachable young man who will be successful in life.”
For now, Gordillo just wants his team to get back to being successful on the field as they have for the past three years.
“It’s a big difference coming from those three seasons where we rarely lost to this year where we haven‘t won as many games,” Gordillo said. “Coach always talks about how small the margin is between winning and losing in soccer. A bounce here or there can really turn things around for us in this next round. We just have to continue to play hard and good things will happen for us.”
