Mexico hopes defense can win them more soccer games.

The boys soccer team is coming off another losing season, but it has something those teams didn’t. Head coach Bill Gleeson said there are a handful of kids coming back to Mexico’s defense out of the 31 kids on the roster.

“This is the first time in a long time that we will have lots of experience in the back,” Gleeson said. “Seniors Braiden Bock, Nate Galloway, Carlos Rodriguez and Wyatt Wilson; junior Houston Fowler and sophomore Thad DeVenney are going to provide great experience on the defensive side.”

Gleeson said Mexico will be breaking in a new goalie but has seen promising prospects like sophomores Braxton Harrison and Grant Lee and junior Alex Matuz.

On offense, senior Oscar Alvarez and juniors Uriel Jarquin, Alex Matuz, and Israel Hernandez should provide key leadership as the returning players.

“We will have a strong defensive end and have the experience on the offensive side to control possession and score,” Gleeson said.

Gleeson sophomores Austin Duff, Grant Lee and Eli Isgrig should contribute this year as varsity newcomers. Mexico has 11 freshmen as its largest class this year, including promising prospects such as Jace Brown, Dominick Garcia and Tony Muralles.

“(The sophomores) played mainly JV last year and are looking strong this preseason,” Gleeson said. “We also have a strong freshmen class that will be essential for the longevity of the program.”

Mexico started 3-2 last season but then struggled. Gleeson said the team started to gel at the end and have many of the same boys returning.

“We have many of those same players this year, so we would like to keep making progress on that front,” Gleeson said. “We are going to try and have a winning season and do better in districts than last year.”