Republic Tigers: Republic Tiger Sports

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Republic Tiger Sports

Posted: 08 Aug 2012 06:03 PM PDT

Soccer Preview 2012 from Republic Tiger Sports on Vimeo.

Screen Shot 2012 08 08 at 2 33 42 PM The Republic Tigers soccer team hasn’t seen a lot of wins in its first two seasons, but coach Mike Hines think that could very well change this season. Hines says each year, his lineup has become more experienced, and that’s true this year, as well.

“I think what’s nice is that the group of seniors that we have now have a couple years experience under their belt, and I think they’re pretty motivated,” Hines says. “I think our skill level is overall improved. We have more kids playing club ball. I’m cautiously optimistic.”

Hines says he’s seeing more leadership from upperclassmen this year during preseason workouts. And he says the players’ familiarity with his system is also making a difference.

“This is the third year of us coaching the scheme that we’re under–how we run our 4-4-2 system,” Hines says. “I have to teach a lot less, and we can fine tune more.”

Senior Hugo Donjuan says he’s seen the progress, too, among players who didn’t have much experience before the program started two seasons ago.

“More and more, they get it, pretty much,” Donjuan says. “(This year) we’ll be as experienced as the other teams.”

The Tigers open their season August 28th at home against Monett.

(Watch the video above for a more in-depth preview.)