Dragons soccer opens 2026 with back-to-back shutout victories

March 18, 2026 by Ken Lay

The past two seasons have been tough for the Clinton High School boys soccer team, as the Dragons won just five matches combined in 2024 and 2025.

But 2026 is a new year, and Clinton is off to a fast start, posting two shutouts in its first two matches.

Goalkeeper Ben Tackett, last year’s District 4-AA Newcomer of the Year, has recorded two clean sheets.

Meanwhile, the Dragons have scored seven goals in their first two matches.

Clinton headed into spring break with a perfect 2-0 record.

“I’m really proud of the boys,” Dragons Coach Filip Leander said. “They won four games last year and only won one game the year before. We’ve won two games this year, and we have two shutouts. I’m really happy, but we still have a lot of work to do.”

The Dragons opened the 2026 campaign with a 1-0 victory over York Institute on Tuesday, March 10.

Isaiah Francisco scored the lone goal in the season opener off an assist from Angel Venegas.

Clinton returned to the pitch Friday night and routed Claiborne 6-0. Andrew Vargas and Jefferson Palacios each scored two goals. Venegas added a goal and an assist, while Martin Rivera also found the back of the net.

Clinton’s back line of Britton Wilcox, Isaac Purcell, Raymond Gray and Lucas Fischesser was stellar in front of Tackett.