There were no surprises to the 2020 Western Athletic Conference boys soccer season.
Dodge City repeated winning the team title by going 8-0 and capturing the crown by three games over runner-up Liberal. The Red Demons’ senior forward, Alan Lopez, duplicated his Player of the Year Award by scoring 26 goals in 18 games and handing out 10 assists while also leading the Demons to the Class 6A state championship and finishing a perfect 20-0-0 season.
All in all, it was just the way the preseason predictions were cast back in August.
But things don’t always come easily, and Lopez would be the first to tell you that a lot of hard work and having a talented group of teammates, along with outstanding coaching, all contributed to his and the team’s success in 2020.
“We came into the season with one goal in mind and that was to win the state championship,” said Lopez, whose team had placed third in 2019 after suffering a 1-0 loss in the semifinals to eventual champion Olathe West.
Lopez recalled the team meeting after that semifinal loss and that his coach, Saul Hernandez, told the team that the 2020 season would begin tomorrow (the Saturday consolation game vs. Wichita East). That result was a 4-0 triumph and a third-place trophy to bring home.
“I think that pushed us to win state,” said Lopez. “Losing that game to Olathe West was a sad and emotional experience. We didn’t want to feel that way again.”
There’s no easy pathway to a state championship and an unbeaten season, so it comes as no surprise that the Demons had their scares during the regular campaign and also throughout the postseason playoffs.
Twice during the regular season, the Demons escaped with one-goal decisions. They won a 2-0 decision at home against rival Garden City during WAC play and beat WAC opponent Liberal three times, including once in the playoffs (4-0). Liberal suffered only one other loss all season.
The biggest scare, however, early on came in the opening regional semifinal against Hutchinson, a team that was only 6-10, only to see the Demons have to rally in the final minutes to tie the game and then win in overtime by a 2-1 margin.
“We probably went into that game too easy, but once we started playing, it was really tough,” Lopez said of the Hutch contest. “When we got down, I told my teammates not to panic, that there was no way this group was going out like that, and that we had plenty of time.”
Sure enough, it was Lopez who kicked in the winning goal with barely a couple of minutes remaining and then also scored the winning goal in overtime to keep the Demons’ season alive.
“I’ve been really fortunate to have great teammates, and we’re a really good passing team,” Lopez said. “I got some really good over the top passes and was able to get the ball and get it by the goalkeeper.”
A convincing 4-1 victory over Derby in the state quarterfinals advanced the Demons to the final four and then more heroics came in the semifinals against Blue Valley. Down 1-0 when Blue Valley scored with about 7 minutes left, the Demons answered once again with another Lopez goal with just two minutes remaining in regulation.
“We didn’t give up and we were able to find a way to get a good pass to me and I was fortunate to put it in the back of the net,” Lopez said of his tying goal. In the OT, Lopez once again nailed the winning goal.
“I got around the defender and put it in over the goalkeeper,” Lopez said. “It was really a tough, tough match. Probably the hardest game we had.”
That set up a championship match with Olathe East and the Demons dominated with a 3-0 win to bring home the school’s second state title. In his four-year varsity career, Lopez played on a fourth-place team, a third-place and a championship team.
“Having an undefeated senior season is super special,” Lopez said. “It’s a feeling you’ll never have again. It’s like it’s not real, and all a dream, but you then realize that you actually did it.”
Lopez, rock-solid all season, saved his best for the postseason where he scored 10 goals in 5 games, scored 4 goals in the semis and championship game with one assist.
“He just really hit another level at the state tournament,” DCHS coach Hernandez said of Lopez. “It was like he knew there was more the team needed, and he just had an extra gear during the playoffs. He stepped up so big for us all season, but especially in the playoffs.”
Three other Red Demon teammates joined Lopez on the WAC first team – all seniors – Erik Martinez, Erubiel Duron and Dani Rojas. Three other DCHS players, including goalkeeper Carlos Sanchez, were named to the second team. Sanchez recorded 14 shutouts this season.
“I think our team just wanted everyone to succeed,” Lopez said. “Nobody would get down because we would push each other to get better and to stay positive. I think we just looked out for each other and had each other’s back.”
Coach of the Year
It has often been said that success breeds success, be it in business, athletics, or every day life.
Look no further than Dodge City Red Demons soccer coach Saul Hernandez, who has built one of the top prep programs in the state of Kansas since taking over the reins of the Demons in 2015.
During his six seasons of coaching the Red Demon boys, his teams have posted a 108-14-0 record, captured two Class 6A state championships (2016/2020), placed fourth once and third twice. His teams twice have completed perfect seasons and he’s not lost more than four games in any one campaign.
For his team’s efforts in 2020, Hernandez was voted as the WAC Coach of the Year, an honor he also won in 2019.
“I think the experience we had from the 2019 state tournament was a big help to us this year,” Hernandez said several days after claiming the 2020 state crown. “It gave us an edge in that we just knew better how to react to certain situations. We knew what and when to do certain things.”
After going through the regular season unbeaten at 15-0, including an 8-0 mark in the WAC, the Demons faced several cliffhanger situations during the playoffs. The first came in their regional semifinal against a Hutchinson team that came in with a 6-10 record. Down 1-0 with two minutes remaining, it was Alan Lopez to the rescue to tie the game and then score the game-winner in OT.
“In those instances, I think our experience and poise were what kept us in the game and allowed us to win those close matches,” Hernandez said. “I think one of the big things we changed this year was going to just 3 defenders rather than 4. It allowed us to strengthen our offensive approach and control possessions more. I think we were able to wear teams out and we usually had strong second halves which was a trend of the entire season.”
Those close games also were apparent when the Red Demons survived a scare from Blue Valley in the 2-1 overtime win in the state semifinals before dominating Olathe East 3-0 in the title match. Hernandez credits Lopez for keeping the team on an even keel in those tight situations.
“He’s been our captain for the last two years, and what he does off the field is just as impressive as what he does on the field,” Hernandez said. “He’ll be the one to pick up balls and bibs on the sideline, something most upperclassmen don’t want to do. He never complains about it. He just sets the example for everyone. He’s a great leader by his actions and he became a better vocal leader this year. He demands highly of his teammates just as he does for himself.”
Winning WAC and the Coach of the Year Award was another by-product of how his philosophy has paid off for the Red Demons in his six seasons.
“We know we’re in a competitive soccer league, and if we do well there we feel like we can compete with most programs,” Hernandez said.
