A year removed from a final regular season record of 15-5-1 and a semifinal berth, the Panther soccer team is looking to return to its perineal playoff contender status. The Panthers suffered through a 5-13-1 record during the 2019-2020 season, but look to bounce back during the 2020-2021 season.
Head Coach Orlando Cervantes may be new to high school soccer in Louisiana, but he is not new to the sport of soccer. Coach Cervantes is an experienced coach who has worked with youth, college and professional soccer players throughout his career. Throughout his career, he has coached multiple NCAA and NAIA All-Americans, MLS players, Women’s Professional Soccer players and United States National Team players.
“Because this is my first time coaching in Louisiana high school soccer, I am excited to get the season started and I am looking forward to all of our district games. This is a tremendous group of kids that are hard-working and willing to learn. We had a late start to the season so are behind all other schools. I feel this team is beginning to come together and will continue to as the season progresses.”
A solid core group of returning players leads the way for Woodlawn this year. Seniors Rui-James Pereira and Hamza Saad will team up with Sophomores Cody Stevens, Wilson Ventura Lopez, and Aiden Skillman to provide experience to the Panthers.
Mix that experience with Freshmen newcomers Nelson Reyes, Oscar Paloblanco, Santiago Garcia and Junior transfer Joao De Sousa Oliveira, and the Panthers plan to be a force to reckon with in 2020-2021.
Along with expected success in the varsity program, Coach Cervantes understands the importance of growing the JV program to build for the future.
“We would like to increase the number of athletes participating in soccer and create a strong JV program.”
Student-athletes interested in joining the soccer program can reach out to Coach Cervantes at [email protected].
