Coming in to the season, Jesuit’s soccer team did not carry high expectations. They were able to parlay solid
teamwork and resilience into a deep playoff run. Led by Jesuit mainstay coach Charlie DeLong, whose message was to “approach each game and practice with the same attitude,” the soccer team came into the playoffs looking to match the success of the 2010 squad, which won the 5A state title. With state on their minds and in their hearts, the soccer team unfortunately sputtered, falling to the Austin-Westlake Chaps on April 14.
In Saturday’s regional semifinals, Jesuit had to go up against a powerful, daunting Chaps team. Westlake opened up with quick scores, garnering a swift 2-0 lead over the Rangers.
At an immediate disadvantage, standouts Tanner Coffin ’12, Juan de Dios Torres ’12, and Matt Tulli ’13 put up their best efforts, but ultimately they could not spark any more magic for the Rangers.
DeLong told his players at halftime, still down 2-0, to keep battling and things would come together.
With winds as high as 30 miles per hour, the weather was no help for the Rangers, who had a multitude of shots that probably would have snuck in to the goal if not for frequent gusts. As time ran short, Jesuit had to take some risks, “opening up the back door for Westlake,” in the words of DeLong.
The Chaps added two more late goals to put away the Rangers 4-0. Westlake Walker Hume had two goals, Ben Hernandez had one goal, and Tucker Hume had one goal in the Chap victory.
Ultimately, the game was closer than the score indicated. “Nothing really went wrong,” insisted the 
ever-optimistic DeLong. “Westlake just scored quickly and [Jesuit] ran out of time.”
DeLong, who picked up his 500th win at Jesuit earlier this month, told his players that he was “proud of the season and it is OK to feel pain and sorrow because it means that it [the soccer team and its goals] meant something to you.” He continued to stay humble about all the success, saying: “We share this as a community…[and] we will realize how good the season really was in due time.”
After finishing 22-3-0 and placing at #6 in the Powerade FAB 50, the Jesuit soccer team will go home empty-handed. But in their hearts and minds, they know how much they accomplished and proved on the field.
To summarize the season in one word, DeLong reflected for a few seconds and rightfully deemed this season “magical.” Though they won’t add another trophy to the case this season, Jesuit soccer can consider this season a success.
