Morrison stepping up for Spartans in playoffs

By Tyler Tyre, Sports Editor
Posted 4/7/22

“It’s the most significant thing that’s happened during the back end of this season for us,” Krueger said. “He’s a kid that has played in the middle for us this entire season and has very little experience on the back line. But he just just went in and has been such a natural fit."

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Morrison stepping up for Spartans in playoffs

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Aidan Morrison has found himself in a position he didn’t think he’d be during the Seven Lakes playoff run.

Spearheading the Spartans back line at center back.

Normally a central midfielder, Morrison has had to move to defense late in the season and during playoffs, helping out on a back line has dealt with injuries to key players.

But, the sophomore hasn’t missed a beat, as he has stepped in and helped to lead the defense as Seven Lakes has run through a gauntlet in the first three rounds of the playoffs.

“He’s just a quality player and has all the tools no matter where you put him,” said Seven Lakes head coach Jimmy Krueger. “We have had a couple of injuries and so we were forced to move him back there. But he’s just calm composed and he really anchors that back line and has done a tremendous job.”

While Morrison has played on the back line before, it’s not where he finds himself most comfortable or his preferred position of a box to box midfielder that can help control the run of play.

But Morrison will do anything if it’s for the betterment of the team and is more than happy to play any position if it’s what is required to win.

“I’ve played there a few times but it’s never been my top position,” Morrison said. “But I make sure to bring that mentality where I’ll do anything to win. It really helps if you’re able to do that and put the team first. I’ll do absolutely anything for this team. I’ll go back there and play defense, I’ll play goalie if I have too. I am willing to do anything if that’s what it takes for us to win. Just having that mentality, it really helped to push through.”

The Sartans have allowed just two goals through their first three playoff games, including getting shutouts in two of the three games. Morrison has been a big reason why with his work on the back line, but it has also allowed one of his biggest strengths, passing, to become an asset at a different position for the team.

With Morrison at center back, it allows him to control the game going forward from an further position, and it provides an outlet for the team moving forward, knowing that he can pick out a pass anywhere on the field, even from a deep position.

“It’s the most significant thing that’s happened during the back end of this season for us,” Krueger said. “He’s a kid that has played in the middle for us this entire season and has very little experience on the back line. But he just just went in and has been such a natural fit. And it’s because his IQ and his ability is just off the chart. He can literally control the game from that position, and he’s showed it. The tam is so confident in him on that back line, it gives them confidence as well. The best thing that I’ve seen these past couple games is that we didn’t lack in the attack with him on the back line and that’s huge going forward because he’s a difference maker.”

The Spartans hope to be healed up heading into Friday’s regional semifinal 6 p.m. at Deer Park, but no matter what is the case, the team is confident because of what the entire group has shown in the face of injury and throughout this entire season.

“The biggest thing we have learned is that we can’t just let this result be a result,” Morrison said. “We need to carry over how we have been playing into the next rounds. We’ve faced tough teams, it’s prepared us, now we just need to keep playing like we know we can. If we do that, I don’t think there’s a team that can beat us.”

Seven Lakes, Katy ISD, sports, soccer, regional tournament, Aidan Morrison