CLEWISTON — Coming out of the Christmas break, the Clewiston Tigers varsity soccer team is looking to maintain the momentum the group has built in the first half of their season.

The Tigers are 5-2-2 and seemed primed to make another playoff appearance this year.

Leading the Tigers is senior and team captain Josue Gonzalez. Gonzalez has been an offensive powerhouse for the Tigers throughout his time with the program. One of the clearest examples of his contribution to the team is the two games the Tigers played against Sebring this year — one with Gonzalez and one without.

Josue missed the first game against Sebring due to commitments to the Tiger football team, where he plays as a kicker. In that game, Clewiston battled Sebring to a 1-1 tie. The next time the two schools faced off was on Dec. 8 the Tigers won, handily, 5-1. Josue scored four goals in the game.

“He makes a big difference when he’s there,” said Tigers coach Skip Crawford. “We’re working on getting him into a school somewhere to continue playing soccer — although he also kicked a 50-yard field goal this year in football. And you’d get a better scholarship playing football as opposed to soccer. He’s got a powerful leg and it works in either game.”

This week, on Jan. 8, the Tigers are scheduled to hit the field again to take on the 7-1-3 Lely Trojans. Originally the game was scheduled to occur before the holidays but had to be moved back.

“We have a good relationship with Lely, usually play them every year,” said Crawford. “We tied them last year here in Clewiston. This year we’ll be on the road at their place. It’s our first game back after two weeks off.”

Last year, it was Gonzalez who scored the only goal for the Tigers. Sophomore Isaias Raya had nine saves as goalkeeper and played a crucial role in keeping the Trojans from breaking the tie.

The next home game for the Tigers will be on Jan. 20 against Glades Day. That’ll also be Clewiston’s last game of the regular season and serve as the team’s senior night.

“Last year we had a few injures that limited how far we went into the playoffs,” Crawford explained. “A team we beat 5-0 in the regular season, we lost to 2-1 in the playoffs.”

One unexpected benefit of COVID-19 might be the shorter season. Most teams are playing few games this year, which could mean the Tigers will be healthier and more rested for a playoff run.
Clewiston travels to take on Lely at 7 p.m. on Jan. 8.