The Lithia Springs boys soccer team is off to a hot start thanks to a team full of “selfless players,” Coach Kevin Pace said.
The Lions have won eight of their first 10 games and were sitting atop Region 5-5A with a 4-0 record in region play at the beginning of the week.
“I believe we have been successful because everyone is playing together as one unit,” Pace said. “This team is led by (senior) captains Joseph Segura and Jordan Jeffers. The perfect combination of Yin and Yang. One is red hot and the other is cool as ice. With their leadership on the field the team is able to communicate well, hold each other accountable and play with a result-driven mentality. Along with the scoring ability of Manny Macilla we hope to take this season as far as possible.”
Mancilla, a sophomore forward, leads the team with 20 goals (2.5 goals per game). He had four goals in the Lions’ 6-2 win over Douglas County on March 14. He also leads the team in points with 43. Mancilla’s goal total ranks fifth in the state and first in Region 5-5A.
Segura is second on the team with seven goals and 14 points. Jeffers and freshman midfielder Cristopher Martinez are tied for third on the team with four goals apiece. Jeffers has 11 points for third-best on the team.
Mancilla, Jeffers, senior Raul Sosa and sophomore Angel Pano all have three assists to lead the team.