by Rodger Wheeler for the Ozarks Sports Zone and Houndawgsports.com

The 2012 version of Aurora soccer produced just three wins while losing 15 games. However, according to 14-year coach Curtis Bishop, 12 of those losses were games the Houn' Dawgs were in a position to win.

Bishop has compiled a 14-year coaching record of 62-179-25 and looks for 2013 to be a rebuilding year after losing seven strong cogs from last season. Graduating last year were three-year starting goalie Mason Edwards, Dylan Dodson, Dillon Mattox, Ethan Sisco, Jordan Maddocks, Cory Halsted and Devin Lindeman.

"We are losing a lot of experience and skill sets," said Bishop, "but we know that every year presents that challenge. We had a lot of underclassmen get valuable varsity time and they were competitive against varsity players."

Bishop feels these younger kids have grown in their speed and skill and will be ready for whatever challenges arise.

Back for the 2013 season will be senior Joe Janes, who Bishop expects his work ethic and leadership to have a positive affect on the younger players, as well as juniors Tristan Swaim and Dylan Castro.

"Swaim and Castro will give us speed, energy and skill needed on the offensive attacks," said Bishop.

Bishop says every year he expects players to step up, work hard and find success.

"Our numbers are up so competition is high and that is what we have tried to improve over the last five years," Bishop said, "so we expect to improve the success of our program."