A season ago, Tulpehocken lost to Camp Hill on a penalty-kick goal in the final minutes of the District 3 Class 1A championship game.
Nearly 300 days later, the bitter defeat still looms large in the minds of the returning Trojans, who are poised to make it back to the district final in 2022 and avenge a loss that has become a not-so-distant memory.
“That’s something that’s been in the back of my mind since it happened,” senior captain Owen Harris said. “It’s definitely been motivation for us to work harder. It gives us that push that is going to send us forward.”
Tulpehocken returns eight starters from the 2021 squad, all of whom have experienced their fair share of crushing postseason losses. The Trojans lost 1-0 in overtime of the 2020 PIAA Class 1A semifinals and fell 1-0 in the 2021 state quarterfinals last November.
“The boys have a lot of fire in their gut this year after the way the last two seasons ended for us,” Tulpehocken coach Trevor Brown said. “They’re hungry.”
The Trojans have their sights set on winning division, league, district and state titles this season. Tulpehocken’s last Berks title came in 2011.
“Everyone here knows that we have a mission this year,” senior captain Mason Lillis said. “We’re going to work hard and make sure we get it.”
With six seniors, Brown said he believes the leadership and chemistry is present within his team for the Trojans to have a successful season. Brown is entering his fourth year as head coach, and has coached this senior class for the entirety of their high school careers.
“We’ve been together every step of the way,” Brown said. “I can already see a real good mesh because of their leadership.”
Tulpehocken had the best defense in the Berks Boys Soccer League a season ago, something it will look to repeat this year. The Trojans recorded 16 shutouts and allowed just 12 goals in 25 games, the fewest among all Berks teams.
“As long as you got a good, solid defense, that’s what’s going to win games,” said Harris, a center back. “As long as we’re all working together, big things could happen.”
Tulpehocken will welcome captain Jorge Aguirre back to its defense, as the senior missed almost all of last season with a torn MCL. After a long recovery process, Aguirre is happy to be back on the field anchoring the defense.
“It feels good,” he said about his knee. “I’m so excited.”
Brown and the rest of the Trojans are also excited to welcome Aguirre, a sturdy presence, back to the starting lineup.
“Since his sophomore year, he’s been the general of our back line,” Brown said. “We missed his leadership in the back line (last year). It’s so crucial (to have him back).”
While Tulpehocken expects to continue playing stifling defense, the Trojans do not want to focus solely on their back line, especially at the expense of offensive production, in an effort to win games.
“The bottom line is, that didn’t win us any championships last year,” Brown said about his team’s defense. “We’re going to be a much different Tulpy team than what people have seen the past three years. We’re not going to rely on one specific area like we have in the past.”
On offense, the Trojans return their top three goal scorers from last year. Lillis led the team with 19 goals, captain and senior Eliecer Aguirre, Jorge’s brother, scored 13 as a junior and senior Erick Sanchez Corona had 11 goals a year ago.
“It’s tremendous,” Brown said about his team’s offensive experience. “It’s absolutely huge to have that consistency.”
The Trojans scored one or fewer goals in 12 of their 25 games last season, which is something they will look to improve upon this season with several veterans on offense. Tulpehocken ranked third in the league with 56 goals scored last year, but was the only team to play 25 or more games.
“We missed a lot of opportunities last year,” Brown said. “We need to grow in those areas in order to meet those goals we have for ourselves.”
The Trojans will kick off their season on Monday with a home game against Annville-Cleona at 7 p.m. Tulpehocken opens league play at home against Oley Valley, a 2021 PIAA Class 2A state playoff qualifier and the defending Berks III champion, on Sept. 7 at 7 p.m
“If we work as a team, we can probably win every game this season,” Eliecer Aguirre said. “I’m really excited.”
With championship aspirations, the Trojans understand the challenges that lie ahead.
“We have to stay mentally focused and extremely hungry,” Brown said. “I fully expect big things to happen this year.”